Kara Iole can cast streams of compressed starlight and shape physics that tempt angels. But her world rejects magic. They scorn wonder and mystery. On her quest to find five mysterious items, Kara meets Hobbes St. Etienne, who is perfectly happy living his solitary life on the frontier with his cat, but she convinces him to join her. However, John Quar, a mercenary she may still be in love with, is willing to use any means to bring her back to the Duneland. Dying from infection in the darkness of the Shades of Death, Kara's own tears light the way to the truth. Kara ultimately realizes that in order to become her true self, she must give up her self