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AUTHOR'S NOTE

The town of Cainsville has many secrets, and it is loath to part with theh, readers may wish to solve some of those ras Peppered throughout the book, you'll find foreign words and phrases that are not defined or easily interpreted in context You can sinore the the secrets as she does and, yes, I hope that's the route you'll choose But if you're impatient, I'm sure the Internet would provide translation helpand a few early answers

FOR JEFF,

who knew I needed a new story to tell

and encouraged me to take the leap

PROLOGUE

Eden crawled into the living roo her chubby knees and hands As boots slapped the hall floor, she went still, holding her breath

Had he heard her?

The footsteps stopped She leaned back around the doorway and peeked down the dark hall There was no sign of him Not yet But he'd come for her He always did

She crept a little farther, resisting the urge to leap to her feet and run He'd hear her if she ran

Once she was past the big chair, she stopped and looked around The long table in front of the sofa had a cupboard She opened the door, wincing at the click The space was big enough to squeeze into, but it was full of books and azines

She glanced back at the big chair It was too far from the wall If she hid behind it, he'd see her as soon as he came around the corner But the sofa? Yes! She flattened onto her stos were all the way under and--

Her bu et under Maybe if she went in headfirst She tugged herself forward and--