Page 14 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

She mutters as she grabs a butcher knife then rushes outside.

I’d help her, but I know the ‘bandit’ is long gone—and probably fae, given the way he disappeared.

That wasn’t even the strangest part. Just thinking of the way he looked at me sends a shudder down my spine. As if he fearedme. And it was as if he was going to say what I am. Does he know my fae powers? Are they that obvious?

It seems that way. Not that I can ask him since I’ll never see him again.

Now that my breathing is back to normal, I hold out my right palm. Not even the faintest glow, even when I hold it in front of the fire next to me. I narrow my eyes and try to make it light up.

Nothing.

It seems to have nothing to do with my will. But there must be a reason for it. Unless I really did activate it by learning about my true nature. Was it held dormant because I didn’t believe in it? That makes sense, because before this afternoon I never had any reason to think I was anything other than human. It wasn’t as if I had any reason to believe otherwise.

Sure, my coloring is darker than everyone else’s in my family, but that’s hardly a reason to think I’m a halfling. There are plenty of humans in our settlement with darker complexions like me. Mother would catch me studying them and assure me they weren’t my relatives—that my father’s family is far enough away they would never travel to Skoro.

We never spoke about him, but I think she always knew I wondered about my heritage. Not only do I look different than all my siblings, but there are other differences too. Like my sense of humor and keen sense of danger. There was the time I saved the farmhouse because I sensed something was off, and a fire had started. It barely got off the ground before two of my brothers put it out. Another time I felt Runa was in danger, and when I found her, she’d fallen into a pond and was flailing around. She was only a toddler, and I jumped in, saving her life.

You’d think Gunnar would appreciate things like that and allow me to stay, but no. He’s probably been waiting for the day to sell me since before I was born. He knew Mother was expecting another man’s baby when he married her and said he’d raise me as his own.

But he’s a liar. Mother would hate him if she knew what he’d just done to me.

Maybe one day after mastering my powers, I’ll come back and show him which of us is actually the stronger one—and it isn’t him.

The door creaks open. I hide my hand even though I can’t get it to glow.

Harek rushes in, brushing sweat and dirt from his forehead.

I leap up. “Are you okay?”

“Therewassomeone outside, but he got away.”

“That’s good.”

“I have a feeling he’ll be back.” He runs his fingers through his hair, sending flecks of dirt to the ground.

“All the more reason for you to stay here and help your parents.”

He gives me a look I can’t quite read. “You really don’t want me going with you on your journey?”

“It isn’t that.”

“What, then?” he asks. “Does it have to do with the secret you’re keeping from me?”

Guilt stings. “Like I said, it’s complicated.”

“You know I’ll never judge you.” He wipes his hands on his pants and checks on the stew. “You been stirring this?”

“Your mother was.”

Harek looks around. “Where is she?”

“Out looking for you and your father. You didn’t tell me you’ve been having problems with bandits.”

“Everyone is,” he snaps. “Only people like Gunnar are rich enough to hire people specifically to keep them away.”

I look away, ashamed of my privilege—even though it’s no longer mine, nor was it ever really, despite me benefitting from it in some ways.

“It isn’t your fault you’re unaware.” His tone is laced with an apology. “He’s had you so busy scooping manure that you haven’t had time to keep up on anything outside the farm.”

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