The volcanic eruption on Deception Island, Antarctica has destroyed potentially the most significant archaeological find in human history… but not before the mysterious rune it produced somehow saved the lives of two of the most powerful members of the Order of the Global Brotherhood. In an act of apparent magnanimity, the Order’s chairman, Thierry Voltaire, provides funding to offer that same rune of health and vitality to the global population in the form of a tattoo, free of charge. But how does the rune actually work? And is the real motive simply philanthropic goodwill—or is there a more nefarious goal?

Ethan and Elle, together with other former members of the Deception Station team, attempt to unravel this mystery. Elle’s sister Ali jumps on the rune bandwagon as an early adopter, promoting it to all her social media followers. Yet the rune “patient zero,” Ariel, now languishes in a mental hospital, and Ethan’s former business partner Graham believes that the Order initiation somehow opened him up to oppression by an unseen force. Randy, meanwhile, bitter at the loss of the glory as lead archaeologist of the Deception Island research team, is bound and determined to put Mitch and Cary behind bars.

As the Order swells to become a global juggernaut, Ethan, Mitch, and their team race against time to disrupt their energy monopoly, thus undercutting the source of their power. But are their enemies really who they think they are? And do they understand the consequences that are truly at stake?