“Father! You have another son! He was born an hour ago. Fit as a fiddle.â€? He couldn’t have wiped the childish grin off his face if he’d wanted to. As soon as he’d been called into the room after the birth, he had immediately fallen in love with his baby brother. He struggled to contain his excitement, for he could tell his father was slightly concerned, though he found it hard to believe that anyone could be anything but thrilled after the miracle that had only just occurred. “Father?â€? he asked cautiously. “What’s wrong?â€?

There was no answer. The shadow at the other end of the room was standing just inside a long flowing curtain that led to a small patio outside. The wind was blowing hard, and the curtain was being whipped around mercilessly. The shadow stirred.

“Something is coming,â€? he said in a soft, deep voice. “I can tell, but the waves aren’t right. Something isn’t right.â€?