Her Dead Husband Walked Out of the Ocean

Chapter 3: The Lighthouse Room

Sienna did not know how she escaped.

One second Damon was on the sand, shaking in pain. The next, he shouted for her to go with a voice so fierce it cut through everything. She grabbed Ava and ran.

Behind her, Damon threw himself at one of Mara's men.

That bought them seconds.

Only seconds.

But it was enough.

Sienna dragged Ava through the dunes, across the old road, and toward the lighthouse that had been closed since before Ava was born.

"Mom, we can't leave Dad!" Ava cried.

"We are not leaving him," Sienna said, though she did not know if that was true. "We are doing what he told us."

The metal key opened the lighthouse side door.

Inside, dust covered everything. Sienna found the stairs and climbed with Ava clinging to her shirt. On the second floor, a rusted plate read:

Room 12.

The key opened that door too.

Inside was not a room.

It was a hidden office.

There were files, photographs, maps, and a wall covered with names. Sienna saw Damon's name near the center.

Damon Hale - recovered from wreckage - experimental response confirmed.

Her hands shook as she opened the first folder.

Photos showed Damon unconscious in a medical bed. Tubes in his arms. Wounds on his chest. Men in white coats around him.

Then she saw another file.

Ava Hale - potential inherited response.

Sienna covered her mouth.

"They want me too?" Ava whispered.

Sienna pulled her close. "No. I will not let them."

On the desk was a recorder.

Sienna pressed play.

Damon's voice filled the room.

"Sienna, if you find this, then I failed to keep them away. They are not after me anymore. They are after Ava."

A floorboard creaked behind them.

Sienna turned.

Mara stood in the doorway.

"Smart man," Mara said. "Too bad he still thinks love can protect anyone."