Waruu begins accepting volunteers for his new procedure to reintegrate Hairies into society. It involves completely changing their DNA, removing all their hair and wiping out all traces of their heritage, but he still has plenty of willing volunteers who are tired of forever hiding and being beaten by the authorities. Boondee becomes the public face of the process, having been forcibly subjected to it, and is released back into the community. Charlotte leaves Jarrod for safety when she finally discovers the horrifying truth about what he has done to her. Meanwhile Nerida, Latani and Alinta are still in hiding in Tim’s house, but even as Nerida and Tim begin to trust each other, Alinta makes a discovery that puts them all in danger. Outside the city, the mysterious Jarli, of the hidden Bindawu tribe, continues his plans for resistance at all costs against the hated huimans, or “skins”. And Koen is still in hiding in the forest gathering his powers with Uncle Jimmy, learning the secrets of the Cleverman, when he makes a discovery about his past which leads to a brutal showdown with Waruu.