Summary

Prologue

The book opens with the recently turned 18-year-old Mason Burgess getting ready to leave Mississippi. His mother has just passed away, and he is traveling with her inheritance slip, intending to collect his money so he can start his life over. Mason speaks with an older, but charming salesman. They talk about their Talents, with the salesmen revealing that he sells knots. Mason says he doesn’t have any Talents. The salesmen tells Mason to keep an eye on his suitcase before the salesman seemingly vanishes. Mason gets on the train to Philadelphia, but when he arrives; his suitcase is missing, along with the inheritance slip.

Chapter 1

This chapter is set 53 years after the Prologue. This chapter opens with Cady, a young orphan, who resides in a New York orphanage. Cady is baking with the owner of the home, Miss Mallory. Cady has...