Seventeen-year-old Rowan is a walking, breathing curse. He just hasn't realized it yet. Since birth, Rowan has been the object of scorn in his village. The reason? He's a dikyli--an outsider with albino skin and an ominous mark blazoned on his neck. So when his fourth guardian-mother is found dead, all blame falls on him, and he is banished before his life-draining curse can strike again. The only path left to Rowan is clear: He must discover who cursed him and alter his horrible fate or forever lose everyone he loves.