The Highest narrowly escapes the FBI as the agents are pursued by the cartel, resulting in a dangerous defense, and Ruth finally comes face-to-face with her daughter Callie.

Ruth looks for a way to get the brainwashed children away from their dangerous new headmaster, Obadiah, and Dikahn interferes in River's attempts to get back into The Highest's good graces.

Ruth works desperately to prevent the mass suicide of the Rakudushi members, River faces threats from multiple adversaries, and The Highest's mounting paranoia leads to more bloodshed.

After Ruth fails to help him, River plays a dangerous game of chess to remove Dikahn from power and improve his life. Meanwhile, Ruth must stop a distraught mother from trying to escape the compound with her daughter, Olivia.

The Highest holds a public trial to find and punish any traitors among the Rakadushi, and River, the new Dikahn, struggles to protect Ruth and Joan when his own loyalty is tested.

After the fallout from the Gauntlet of Faith, Ruth and River find themselves at deadly odds; when Dikhan finds himself in unfamiliar territory on the compound, he makes a sinister move to regain his power.

When Ruth and River become mortal enemies in the wake of the "First Supper," Ruth is determined to kill or be killed; she makes a fatal mistake.