Sixteen-year-old Maya and seventeen-year-old Lochan tell, in their separate voices, of their confusion and longing as they fall in love with one another after years of functioning as parents to three younger siblings due to their alcoholic mother's neglect.

Having stopped eating after the death of her father, seventeen-year-old Laurel feels herself losing control of her life in the hot, magical world of Los Angeles.

The story of Cathy and Chris continues. In the joy of their new life the family try to forget the anguish of their loveless inheritance. But the hidden secrets of their past - their parents' black heritage - begin to haunt them again. The rage and hatred returns to torment the next generation.

From the outside, fifteen-year-old Coley Sterling's life seems imperfect but normal, but for years she has buried her shame and guilt over a relationship that crossed the line and now that she has a chance at having a real boyfriend, Reece, the lies begin to unravel.

Chris, Cathy, and the twins are to be kept hidden until their grandfather dies so that their mother will receive a sizable inheritance, however, years pass and terrifying things occur as the four children grow up in their one room prison.

The story of Cathy and Chris continues. In the joy of their new life the family try to forget the anguish of their loveless inheritance. But the hidden secrets of their past - their parents' black heritage - begin to haunt them again. The rage and hatred returns to torment the next generation. An old woman in the house next door gives Chris and Cathy's youngest son, Bart, a strange book that drives him to the brink of madness, and then their family...