In 1914 Russia, Lara is being groomed by her father to be the next kennel steward for the Count's borzoi dogs unless her mother bears a son, but her visions, although suppressed by her father, seem to suggest she has special bond with the dogs.
Thirteen-year-old Siena's visions of the past intensify when her family moves to the Maine coast hoping her little brother will begin speaking, and she connects with residents of the house from many years earlier who faced a similar problem.
Clara Gardner, part girl and part angel, questions her feelings toward Christian--and her boyfriend, Tucker--while she struggles to make sense of what happened on the day of the fire and come to terms with the knowledge that her fate will force her to lose someone she loves.