The population of Quirni want Erica and Matilda Kinsley dead even after the QSDD reveal why Matilda was judged innocent. The only safe place for them is still in the protection of the QSDD. Erica must prove Matilda's innocence and she knows how, but it's illegal. Unknown to the QSDD, Erica would use her hacking skills to prove Matilda's innocence. By doing this, Matilda can return to society, then the faction cannot stop her from using her information. They can't steal it for themselves.
Erica knows the faction is supported by off-world interests and they become stronger every day. The life of the man she loves, the loyal QSDD agent James Kennedy, could be lost if the faction gets time to collect resources from their allies. James guards Erica and Matilda from the disloyal faction and he has fallen in love with Erica. He can't act on his feelings until his job as her guard is done. Then he sees the means to lure out the faction leaders. He can identify them by submerging the woman he loves in her broken personality. It could save her life but she might not survive as Erica.
Erica weighs her fears of James fighting in a QSDD civil war against the ultimate loss of freedom, going to jail for over a hundred years. As she makes her choice, unknown to James, he decides if he should risk her sanity for a chance at a future together.
Nigh is the second book in the Quirni Series. The first book, The Marrilian, chronicles Erica's arrival on Quirni, how she meets James, and how she is entrapped in Matilda's home.