When her mother dies, lonely girl Leila will have to learn how to manage living on her own. But Leila has a digital avatar, Shadowfax, and when she logs onto the virtual reality game, Azana, she feels truly alive. It's there that she meets the mysterious Mania, and discovers the secret paradise, Red Pill. But Adrian, the leader of Red Pill, tells her she has to be invited to join and blasts Shadowfax out of the game. The next day, at Leila's work, Mania turns up – in real life. Leila wants to know why...
To join the secret paradise called Red Pill, Shadowfax will have to prove to Adrian that she is a worthy member. And despite being troubled by Calumny's disappearance from the game, Leila does want to join so she can start to understand some of the mysteries behind her new friend Tess and the world of Red Pill.
Leila suspects Denier, the youngest member of Red Pill, might be Adrian's next target and is determined to save him. But her doubts about Adrian are causing friction with Tess who is totally dependent on him. Just how far is Leila prepared to push Tess into seeing things her way?
Feeling responsible for Tess' safety, Leila realises Adrian is playing a game. But closing Red Pill down, Adrian sews the first seeds of doubt about Leila.
Adrian's game "to stop the witch" reaches its real life climax, but Leila's doubts leave a lingering question in Tess's fragile mind.
The final part of the thriller sees Tess make it back to London to unite with Jonty to try and find Leila and stop Adrian. But Leila is Adrian's prisoner.
