Prologue

The feeling in the air was thick with the fall humidity. The outside climate was flaked with early snow, while the air in the house was heavy. Two girls sat on the couch of the house, their images as opposing as night and day. A blue-eyed blonde sat on the left, and a black-haired green-eyed twin on the right. Their facial structure was the only similarity between them.

The news had come late that night and the sisters had been woken at once. No one had slept since their cousin had called with news about their father. It almost seemed impossible; their father dying in a tree. An inspector had shown up around 7am and spoke with them about what they knew so far.

Roselyn and Lilith Grey had listened to the inspector until he left. Their best friend, Caroline, had rushed to their sides as Lilith broke down in tears.

Roselyn's emerald green eyes hardened to steel as she took in the news. She would cry later but not in front of a complete stranger. She hated to cry anyway and would rather cry alone. Instead she threw a glare at the retreating back of the inspector and grew very angry; as if it was his fault for ruining their lives. Rebellious as she was she had still loved their father even though it was their fault for their mother's death that threw their father into a deep depression; for when they were born she died to give them life. Roselyn paced the living room for awhile listening to her sister's sobs and Caroline's soothing voice. This just seemed to anger her more; for her sister was hurting, and she hated to see her hurt so. Roselyn stormed to the front door ignoring Caroline's questioning looks; she started to run towards the woods that surrounded the manor. Roselyn headed towards the far corner of the gated woods and climbed the great oak that splayed its branches to clasp hands with the heavens shining with stars and glowing in the light of the full moon. It was a tree from the girls' childhood; they had played beneath it many a past summer with Caroline and her twin brothers Byron and Davey; who were only a year older than the twins. They had all named the great tree Mother Oak; for it seemed her majestic boughs had held and watched over the children who played beneath her. Hugging the oak's crown branches she leaned against the tree trunk and gazed at the stars until her vision blurred with tears ready to finally fall. Angrily she roared at the stars and hit the tree's trunk skinning her knuckles before she finally broke into gasping sobs that shook the crown branches. Warm strong arms enveloped her shoulders and she turned and buried her head into the warm chest as the person hugged her tightly to their chest.

The sky began to pinkin with dawn's awakening before Roselyn finally stopped crying and fell into a restless sleep in the arms of her comforter. Gently her comforter carried Roselyn down the tree and back to the house. Caroline peered up over her tea as a sleeping Roselyn was brought into the living room. Setting down her tea she stood to help place Roselyn on the couch.

"Thank you, for bringing her back Byron," Caroline whispered as she gently pulled leaves out of Roselyn's hair. "Was she much trouble?" Byron combed his fingers through his inky hair pulling it back into a ponytail, and heaved a heavy sigh.

"None, but I worry for the two. I sense a rough road ahead," His icy blue gaze fell on Roselyn's bleeding knuckles; the sight made him wince and he heaved yet another heavy sigh. "I'll go get the first aid kit. Did Lilith go to sleep yet?" Caroline shook her head sending her white blonde locks to fall out of her barrette.

"No, she's upstairs talking to Davey." Byron stretched and yawned.

"Go make her a cup of tea, strong, and put some of that sleep stuff in it. We all need to get some rest," Caroline glanced at Roselyn's sleeping form. Byron smiled gently. "I'll take care of her. You go make that tea." Caroline gave a tired smile.

"Thanks, Nen."

In the light of the dawning sun, Lilith sat on the edge of her bed talking to the dozing form of Davey. She didn't want to be alone, not like her sister. After she had stopped crying Davey ad walked her up to her room to rest. She had been talking since then. Pausing in the idle of a story about when she brought home a cat; Lilith glanced at Davey reclining in front of her dressing table. His eyes were closed and she could hear him breathing deeply and softly. She let out a small sigh and pulled a blanket out of the chest at the end of her bed. Kneeling down to wrap in it there was a knock at the door. A moment later Caroline stepped in carrying a big try laden with tea and biscuits.

Seeing Davey asleep on the floor she kicked his leg on her way to the dressing table. "Davey! Wake up you lout!" She let out an exasperated sigh as he nodded awake. "Really now Davey!" Shaking her head as she poured a cup of tea, Caroline berated him for falling asleep. Handing the cup to Lilith she sat down at the table and watched her friend sip it slowly.

After a few minutes of talking Lilith let out a long yawn. "I'm sorry for interrupting you, Caroline. Please go on." Lilith's head began to nod and Caroline stood up and took the tea cup before she dropped it.

"I'm believe its time you go to sleep, Lily." Lilith mumbled quietly as she slipped into her bed. When the room was silent save for her quiet breathing, Caroline and Davey snuck out of the room.

Pausing in the hallway Caroline listened for a moment before speaking. "Thank you for sitting with her, Davey." He shook his head slowly.

"It's no bother. You know how Byron and I feel about the sisters." Caroline rested a gentle hand on his arm.

"They'll be alright. They have two handsome men looking after them." With a wink and a smile she glided down the hall and out of sight. Davey sighed and ran a hand though his hair. After a glance back at Lilith's door he followed his sister and disappeared down the hallway.