Prologue
Year 2013
Oliver looked lovingly at the two women who meant the world to him.
Sara, cradling their child in her arms, was the most beautiful sight he wanted to remember forever.
Despite the nightmare they had lived through years ago, that place had somehow led them to their destiny.
After escaping the hell where they had been held captive by the people from the north, he had spent months by Sara’s side only as a friend. It wasn’t until she accepted the death of her first love and allowed his soul to rest that she realized she was hurting herself by holding on.
The day she confessed her love to Oliver and initiated their relationship marked a new beginning for them.
Now, they were a happy married couple with a wonderful daughter.
A smile lit up Oliver’s face when the door opened and his older brother Eryk walked in.
“I came to visit my beautiful little niece,” Erik said, stepping toward Sara.
She handed him the baby, and for a moment, Erik saw nothing but her.
“Who would’ve thought our lives would turn out like this?” he said, making funny faces at little Nadia.
“It’s true. Just a few years ago, we thought we were going to die,” Oliver admitted, wincing slightly as painful memories surfaced.
Sara stared off into the distance for a moment before she spoke:
“All of that belongs to our painful past now. But Erik, did you hear they found an investor who wants to turn that place into an elite boarding school?”
Erik looked at her, stunned.
“Seriously?”
“It’s gotten a lot of attention. The whole country knows what happened there. I think it’ll draw crowds. The guy knows what he’s doing,” Oliver added.
“Still, I wouldn’t want our daughter to end up there,” Sara said gently, looking at the baby in Erik’s arms.
Oliver nodded in agreement.
“I understand what you went through,” Erik said, “but remember, that nightmare ended with the General’s death. The area is beautiful. It’ll probably be safe now.”
He handed the baby back to Sara.
“It won’t be safe for someone who can see paranormal phenomena,” she replied, referring to herself.
“I just hope Nadia didn’t inherit it in her genes. I wouldn’t want her to see things no one else can. That kind of gift can destroy a life.”
Oliver stepped closer and wrapped an arm around his wife.
“I don’t think every generation inherits the gift. I wouldn’t want our child to be marked by it either.”
Wanting to lighten the somber mood, Erik changed the subject:
“Sara, I don’t think you’ll be seeing your nasty little sister for a while,” he announced with a wide grin.
“What did you do to her?” Oliver asked, raising an eyebrow and giving his brother a pointed look.
“I broke her little heart. She probably won’t have the strength to keep trying to destroy your marriage.”
Sara sighed.
“Brother-in-law, I don’t think you’ll ever change.”
“It’s just my nature,” he replied, going back to making faces and teasing the baby.
Oliver shook his head at Erik’s words, but deep down, he felt happy to have a family.
Back when he was alone… the pain had been unbearable.
