Hunter Beaumont doesn't understand his grandmother's deathbed wish: "Destroy Beaumont House." He'd never even heard of the place. But after his grandmother passes and his first love betrays him, the family house in the Wisconsin woods looks like a tempting refuge. Going against his grandmother's wishes, Hunter flees to Beaumont House.<br><br>But will the house be the sanctuary he had hoped for? Soon after moving in, Hunter realizes he may not be alone. And who -- or what -- he shares the house may plunge him into a nightmare from which he may never escape.<br><br>Sparks fly when he meets his handsome neighbor, a caretaker for the estate next door, but is the man salvation...or is he the source of Hunter's terror?

A Demon Inside

Two of the women spied him standing a few feet away from the coffin. He was afraid for a moment they were headed straight toward him to offer their condolences or, worse, hugs. But they veered close to the casket as they approached, and silently they took Nana in. One of the women stooped awkwardly to place herself on the kneeler in front of the casket, crossed herself, and bowed her head in prayer. Once she stood, both women touched Nana’s hands and leaned close to whisper to her.


And then they stepped away, smiling, and approached Hunter. How can they smile? Wasn’t Nana their friend? Why, they’re completely dry-eyed! Hunter realized then that visitation like this was probably a commonplace event in their lives, and he felt a little twinge of remorse for thinking that way. He tried to affix a smile to his own face as they approached.


Chapter 6