The world seemed to dip and darken and I smelled wet earth and thick musk and fresh blood.The wind whipped past, like I was running. Running so fast the ground whizzed beneath me and the wind cut across my skin ...Maya Delaney has always felt a close bond with nature.The woods around her home are a much-loved sanctuary - and the pawprint birthmark on her hip feels like a sign that she belongs.But then strange and terrible things begin to happen in the tiny medical-research town of Salmon Creek (population: 200).The captain of the swim team drowns mysteriously in the middle of a calm lake.Mountain lions appear around Maya's home, and won't go away.Her best friend, Daniel, starts experiencing 'bad vibes' about certain people and things.One of those people is Rafe - the new bad boy in town.What is he hiding - and why is he suddenly so interested in Maya ...?