An ancient church plundered, a government experiment, a secret school for brilliant orphans, and a talented teacher of gifted children...

Bridget Cleary, Boston teacher, nationally recognized expert in gifted learning and author of Not Always a Gift, receives an unsolicited invitation to teach at a private academy in Maryland. The recent death of her husband and infant son and the attempted suicide of one of the academy's students convinces Bridget to visit the school to get away from her empty home and to help, if possible.

The nine students at this academy are all gifted, all orphans, and have never been off the estate. They also share a secret that even they don't know. The student/orphans that Bridget meets are unlike any children she has ever encountered. And the students have never met anyone quite like Bridget. And then there's the cat...