Page 71 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

“Literally nothing.”

Disappointment washes through me. “Not even a little?”

“Like I said, she kept everything to herself.”

“You said she was secretive. That doesn’t mean she saidnothing. Did she drop any clues?”

“Can I finish the story I started?”

I wave him on.

“Your mother left the pack for years. There were whispers of her having died because nobody stays away that long even if they can’t shift.”

“That was when she was with my father?”

“Yeah. She came to Skoro, to my parents specifically. It doesn’t sound like she was expecting to stay in Skoro—not as a fae. But when she saw my mother and father thriving among the humans, even while dealing with their shifts, she thought she could pull off a human life. There was no reason for anyone to suspect anything since she’d managed to avoid triggering her curse. She?—”

“Wait. What would’ve happened if she’d have shifted while she was pregnant with me? How does that work?”

“I don’t know. It just does. Pregnant werewolves don’t get a pass.”

I rub my temples, trying to come to terms with that. “If I want to start a family, I’ll have to deal with shifting while pregnant and caring for a baby? How do they shift when the baby?—?”

“Eira, I really don’tknowthese things. Clearly I’ve never had to deal with any of that, and since we don’t belong to a traditional pack, I’ve never seen anyone dealing with it either. I would imagine that in the case of our particular genes, people shift at different times so others can care for the young. Your mother probably watched me while my parents roamed. Normal werewolves? I guess they figure that stuff out.”

My mind spins, but not out of control. This new information actually makes sense of things. If my mother babysat Harek, that explains why we spent so much time together growing up. All of us being part of the same pack also fits how much our parents relied on each other, why his family had my sword.

“Are you okay?” Harek’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.

“I will be. Is there a chance she ever told your parents about my father?”

“She didn’t. I asked several times over the years, and they don’t know anything.”

That means I’m stuck at square one, having no information. The best I can hope for is that my palm might let me know if we cross paths. Though if he’s not a threat, nothing will likely happen. “How am I supposed to find him?”

“We’ll figure something out.” He yawns. “Tomorrow.”

“You want me to wait even longer?”

“What’s another few hours at this point? Think of how much more productive we’ll be with a great night’s sleep. I don't know about you, but after a week of sleeping in caves and under bushes, I’m looking forward to an actual bed.”

I can’t deny how luxurious that sounds, but I’m too wired to sleep. After he leaves, I wander around the bookshelves again.This time, I hold my right palm up to the books. Perhaps I’ll get a warmth or a glow if I’m near a book with answers.

Or maybe nothing will happen.

Chapter

Twenty-Five

Light footsteps sound behind me.Vivvi stands in the doorway holding two steaming mugs and wearing much more casual clothes than before. She gives me a warm smile and holds out one of the drinks. “I thought you could use some calming tea.”

The thought of tea immediately brings me back to the farm with Mother and our many late-night chats when Gunnar was out late. “That sounds wonderful.”

She motions for me to sit on the couch, and I take the same spot I did with Harek. Once we’re both seated, she hands me one of the mugs. The liquid has a golden glow.

Before I can ask about it, Vivvi answers. “The leaves are from a rare plant grown in an arid climate. The soil has properties that gives the leaves a relaxing effect in fae.”

“It looks magical.” I bring it close and take a deep breath. The steam has a sweet but tangy aroma. My muscles relax slightly.

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