Page 16 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

“Just tell me what’s going on.” I clench my fists, but even that doesn’t keep the light at bay.

“It can’t be.”

“Are you my father?” I take another step near the man, and the orange glow intensifies even more.

The man doesn’t look anything like me, and considering how little resemblance I bear to my mother, I have to take after my father.

This guy knows who—or what—I am, but not because we’re relatives.

Because he’s fae. He’s as intimately familiar with the various powers of our kind as I’m clueless to them.

I hold up my palm toward him, illuminating his features in the light. “Tell me what you know.”

Color drains from his face. “Let me go, and I swear I’ll never return here again. You have my word.”

As much as I want to demand answers, if he leaves for good then Harek and his family won’t have to worry about the bandit anymore. I can find out what I need to know about my powers and my father later. If everything goes according to my plan, I’ll meet plenty of fae—and I only need one to tell me what this guy won’t.

“Do you promise?” I inch my glowing hand closer to him.

He shudders. “That’s what I just told you!”

“Then leave. Never come back to this settlement again, not just this house. Or else…” I shove my palm right to his face.

“Consider it done.” The man runs so fast I can barely see him.

My skin fades back to its normal color.

What just happened? While I don’t have any more answers than before, I do know there’s some kind of terrifying power within me. I don’t know if it’s only harmful to that particular fae and his kind, or if it’s to everyone.

I’m collecting more questions than answers, but at least a few things are coming together. That guy confirmed that I’m fae, and my magic is impressive if not highly powerful.

Now I have to find the nearest fae metropolis even more than before.

Hopefully my father will be there. Or at least I can find someone who will know where he is. If nothing else, I can glean information about what we are and figure out what my next steps will be.

Even if I can’t find my father, or he won’t help me, I should at least be able to learn what I need to in order to start my new life.

“There you are!”

I whip around.

Harek is staring at me like I’ve lost my mind.

At least my hand is back to normal. That’s one less thing to explain.

“Why did you take off like that?” he asks.

“I heard something out here.”

“And you came by yourself?”

“Right.”

He shakes his head. “You’re going to get yourself killed one of these days.”

“I’m fine. See?”

“Did you find what you were looking for?”

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