Page 100 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

“There’s never been a hunter-shifter before. The bloodline has always been pure.”

“How?” Harek asks. “If there’s never been a female hunter?”

Einar turns to me. “A hunter has never taken on the mother’s abilities. You’re unique in that, too.”

“Maybe I’m not actually a hunter.”

“If your palm reacts to evil fae and your sword glows at your touch, then you’re most assuredly the next hunter.”

“Then maybe I’m not also a werewolf.”

Harek shakes his head. “Your eyes turned silver.”

My father motions toward his home. “We have much to learn. Let’s start by seeing how my dragon reacts to you. Then we’ll fly to Skoro and get your sword back.”

I nod, unable to find words. As if all of this wasn’t bad enough, my siblings are going to get caught up in all of this. Will I be able to protect them and myself?

Chapter

Thirty-Three

While the outsideof the mansion is so nondescript I didn’t notice it at first, the inside is unbelievable. Everything is fancy and expensive, much like in Vivvi’s place, but has more of an older feel like parts of the library. I can feel more magic here than anywhere else.

Almost as if reading my mind, my father turns to me. “Our ancestors have lived here since long before other fae settled around us and eventually turned it into a bustling city. Everyone is drawn to the ancient magic, which is part of the reason for the walls. Good fae are drawn to us for our protective powers, and the evil ones are drawn to us much like a glitter bug to a light that will zap them.”

Harek eyes him with suspicion.

“You needn’t distrust me.” He holds up his right palm. “I know you’re good, and more importantly, you care about my daughter. If anything, I have all the more reason to protect you.”

“I don’t need your protection.”

“You might.” He motions toward a dim corridor. “You two need to get acquainted with Sapphire.”

I assume that’s his dragon’s name, but don’t ask. It’s all too much to take in, and by the night’s end we might destroy the farm I grew up on.

“Wait,” I say.

“Yes?” he asks, and they both look at me expectantly.

“What exactly is going to happen when we get to Skoro? Are the dragons going to breathe fire and burn everything to the ground? My brothers and sisters are there, and I don’t want them getting hurt.”

He nods. “Ideally, we’ll sneak in and find your sword without anyone noticing us.”

Harek frowns. “And if that isn’t possible?”

“Then we fight.”

My stomach churns acid. “Will the dragons breathe fire? Is that something they actually do?”

“They do, but it takes a lot out of them. It’ll be a last-ditch effort. I’d prefer to keep them out of it and just let them fly us to and back.”

Relief washes through me. “That’s good to hear.”

“Come on.” He hurries into the corridor.

We catch up, and Harek has more questions for my father. “How did her sword bond to her? I don’t understand that.”

“I’m assuming Tyra walked through the sword collection here after finding out about her pregnancy. One of the ancestral swords must’ve lit up when she got near, and she took it with her. Not long after she left, I found one of them missing.”

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