In a moment of foolish curiosity after being abandoned by her mother, sixteen year old Zilla DeNovo steals a seemingly useless crystal from her current guardian, Keres.
Zilla quickly finds out the crystal is anything but useless, though. Producing a shadow creature that attaches itself to her, the crystal also gives Zilla some of the lamest powers she's heard of: creating shadows, sensing emotions, and casting a murky facade over reality.
Zilla is alone, confused, and just trying to live in the shadow of those around her while she waits for her mother to return. With a mind of its own and its sights set on Zilla, the crystal has other plans.