Page 103 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

Einar turns back to me. “Where’s the farm?”

My stomach lurches. This is really happening.

He repeats his question, and I pull myself together.

At first the wind steals my words, so I speak louder. “It’s near the back! Where all the open land is.” I lean over for a better look. “It’s over there.” I point, though I’m not sure he can see my gesture.

Einar shouts something, and a moment later, Sapphire turns toward my childhood home. She dips and twists, making my stomach drop. The souls bang around against each other, perhaps sensing we’re close to my sword which will free me of them.

The dragon aims for the horse’s field. She lands in the middle, skidding to a stop a few feet from the barn. The force throws me against Harek, then we both lunge forward against my father.

He’s the first one off, and he helps me down first and then Harek. “Where do you think the sword is?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t have any idea where it might be?”

“It could be in the house, or in the storage shed. Maybe he buried it somewhere. Or he could’ve tossed it in the woods. Anything is possible.”

Einar grumbles. “You really don’t know where he would put something worth so much?”

“He always hides valuables from me. I don’t know where.”

“We better get moving before daylight.” My father pats Sapphire, who plops on the ground.

My siblings would lose their minds if they knew a dragon was on the farm right now. Under different circumstances, I’d run to my room—my former room—and wake Runa so she could see. I’d love to see her eyes light up with delight, but unfortunately it’s best if she sleeps through all of this.

Einar glances at my hand. “Hold it out and walk toward the place you think he most likely put it.”

I do as he says and head for the storage shed because it’s the closest of the possible places. I’m not sure if he would put my sword there or not. Hopefully my hand really will let me know. Never once did it light up when I was over at Harek’s house before my mother’s death.

“You’re sure this will work?” I ask him. “It was hidden at Harek’s house, and my hand never did anything.”

“It probably did, but you weren’t looking for signs. You’re connected to the sword, so it will make itself known.”

“If you say so.”

He nods and looks around before his gaze lands on Harek. “Do you have any ideas where the man would hide a fae sword?”

“I’m not sure he knows it’s fae, but regardless, I have less of an idea than Eira has.”

“Then we’ll hope it shows itself quickly.” He gives me a nod.

Here goes nothing. I walk toward the barn, but my palm does nothing. No warmth, no glow. “How close do I have to get to it?”

“Fairly close,” Einar says. “However, you should feel it first if you’re paying attention. Otherwise, you won’t notice. It isn’t a homing beacon.”

I groan, but keep going until I’m inside the barn. Some of the animals snort and snuffle when they see me. I offer quick pats but don’t have time to give them the warm greeting I’d like after being gone so long.

My palm doesn’t do anything as I make my way around, nor do I feel any kind of inkling—not that I know what feeling to expect. All I sense is my rushing pulse and the aggravating souls.

When I step out of the barn, both Harek and my father throw me expectant glances.

“Nothing,” I say, although the fact that I’m not holding a sword should answer their silent questions.

We make our way toward the storage shed, which is about halfway between the barn and the house. The shed seems too obvious, making it seem like the last place Gunnar would put it.

Snap!

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