Page 106 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

I open my mouth to cry out, but they reach my throat before the sound. Pressure builds as they all fight to move through my windpipe. I choke, struggle to breathe. Try again to call out. Can’t.

My sinuses burn. A force gathers, so strong I cover my nose in attempt to keep it from breaking to pieces. Cold, black mist bursts out, swirling in the same way it did before. Only thistime, it’s leaving me instead of entering. It darts away from my weapon then suddenly turns toward it.

The blade shakes, and so does the mist, as if they’re struggling against each other. My head jerks back as the mists pull completely away from me.

Finally I can breathe. I gasp in air, desperate for as much as I can inhale.

Meanwhile, the mist and my sword struggle against each other. Once my breathing returns to normal, I hold a steadier grip on the handle. Both my palm and the etchings glow bright orange. With a hard thrust, the mists all slam against the blade, and the weapon absorbs them.

It remains upright seemingly on its own. I stare in disbelief, my grip unsteady but not affecting the sword.

Once I regain my composure, I hurry around the house.

A cloud of dust rises from where Gunnar, Harek, and Einar are rolling around on the ground. Grunts and thuds sound from their direction. My father’s sword lies off to the side.

I hurry over. They’re moving around too fast to see who is where.

This leaves me with only one option. I reach for the nearest arm and yank, not even sure who I’ve grabbed. If it’s my stepfather, then I have to fight him. If it’s one of the other two, they can take a moment to recover before we jump in.

Dreadlocks appear from the dust cloud. My father steadies himself and brushes dirt from his face. “Thanks!”

I start to respond, but he grabs his sword, and jumps back in before I can say anything.

Harek cries out—I’d recognize his voice anywhere

The stench of blood fills my nostrils. I’m not even sure how I can smell it, but I do. Must have something to do with my new werewolf capabilities. A fierce anger rips through me at an intensity I’ve never experienced. If Gunnar has hurt Harek, I willkill him. The thought of something happening to my friend turns my anger into rage, and it pulsates through me in uncontrollable waves.

My sword’s etchings glow brighter than before, but that barely registers. My bones ache as if set on fire. The pain tears through me as if it’s eating me alive from the inside out. Everything turns into a blur as it feels like every single one of my bones are snapping. As something like tiny blades slices through every inch of my skin. Fur.

I’m transforming into a werewolf—even though it’s nowhere near the full moon. Shreds of the fancy clothes Vivvi gave me fly in all directions.

A howl sounds from somewhere.

Me. It’s from me.

All my senses are sharper than ever. Everything lights up as if it’s suddenly not dark. I can smelleverything. Including Gunnar’s fear.

I turn to him, sniffing with my elongated nose. His eyes widen, and he tries to scramble away, but he’s not only outnumbered— he’s now facing a predator.

A growl escapes me, the noise vibrating through my mouth. My fur bristles and I take measured steps toward him with all four legs. This is simultaneously unreal and at the same time the most natural thing I’ve ever experienced.

The scent of Gunnar’s fear grows stronger, and it makes me salivate. He shoves Harek and my father. Stumbles as he tries to run.

I lunge for him. Flesh, blood, and muscle fill my mouth. Gunnar’s screams fill the air. He hits and kicks me, but it all bounces off me. I barely notice, my focus on keeping my loved ones safe.

Shots ring out. Voices sound in the distance, footsteps thunder as people approach. I pull my attention from Gunnar to the commotion. It appears half the town is headed our way.

A wind picks up and a shriek blasts through the air.

Sapphire.

My stepfather pulls from my grip then limps away toward the mob.

More shots ring out. A bullet whirs past me, barely missing.

Einar calls my name. He’s mounted the dragon and is waving me toward them.

Harek, also on Sapphire, has my sword. “Hurry, Eira!”

---