The Nature of the Beast

Abandoned on the shores of Serbia by her first love at the tender age of seventeen, Enid finds peace in a fortress caring for rescued animals. Years later when he returns, Enid must decide if it's love she seeks, or revenge.

Enid is desperate to leave the memories of her murderous mother on the docks of Plymouth, England as she boards a ship bound for India. Clamoured between strangers and the memories of her painful past, love is the last things she expects to find. Enid is drawn to the Captain's son Nikola, much to the dismay and anger of Senka, a deckhand's daughter who has her sights set on him as well.

Enid's happiness is short-lived when a strange disease wipes out half the crew and the superstitious captain blames her. Nikola vows his loyalty to Enid and they run off together, but when he abandons her on the shores of Serbia to fulfil a forgotten promise to Senka, Enid knows hope is a liar. As she waits in vain for Nikola to return, she forges a life for herself.

At twenty-three, Enid is now living in an abandoned fortress in Belgrade with the village 'witch', caring for abused animals. Just when she thought she was finally at peace, Nikola and Senka return. But with Senka firmly at Nikola's side, Enid must decide if she's willing to ruin Senka to gain the love she's been waiting a decade for or lose him forever.