Blaine Cedric is considered a big catch in Treece. He's been away from home for a long time, and the only reason he came home now was to prevent an old childhood friend from destroying something pure. Shyla Kabrey was only seven when her mother began working for the Compound of Treece. Without a father, and her mother dying when Shyla was fifteen, she became a ward of the town. For six years she endures the Compound's 'required' classes with the hopes of leaving some day. Blaine's never wanted or felt this need to protect or have, until he saw the lonely girl daydreaming at a party. He's drawn to her innocence, drawn to her in ways he never thought he could be drawn to one woman. She might be forbidden to others, but to him she's a must have.