Sah'dren is physically and emotionally abused, prevented from leaving the house, and manipulated by his mother. She forces him into off-page prostitution, which began when he was a teenager. There is reference to her other son who disappeared, whom it is revealed, she sold into slavery. There is physical abuse of both the main characters by Mother, including slapping. There is off-page sexual assault of Isol, and Sah'dren observes the aftermath. There is physical violence, including choking, being forcibly restrained, and stabbing with a knife.