Prologue: October 9th, 2000

Austin Sterling Friar watched as his wife, Annamae Beulah (née Taylor), pushed out their twins–first their son Lucas Jackson Friar, then daughter Lena Keighlyn.

Whoa, hold up . . . is that black hair? And brown skin? How could that happen? They both had white skin, even if Austin was a blonde and Annamae a brunette. Unless . . . Lena wasn't his.

Austin demanded a paternity test immediately. Turns out, Lucas was his. Lena, on the other hand, was not.

Lena Keighlyn Taylor, good luck; you're gonna need it.

October 9th, 2006

"Teddy?" Lena called out to her brother Lucas from her bed in their small room.

"Yeah, Angel?"

"What would you do if I was being hurt?"

"I would go up to him and take 'im down, that's what!"

"Even if he was someone you loved?" she asked.

"Even then. Why?" he inquired, curiously.

"No matter. Promise you'll protect me?" her small voice cried out.

"Only if you promise to never leave me," he warned.

A few seconds later, they spoke in unison, "I promise . . . I swear."

If only they knew that oath would be broken in a mere four years.