Page 21 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

“Really?”

“Maybe I should change my mind.”

“No!” He holds out a hand. “Just let me grab my things. It’ll only take a minute.”

“You want me to wait while you pack? I need to get going before it gets light out there.”

“I already filled my bags. I only have to get them and then we can leave. Don’t move.” He races into the house.

I’m tempted to split. While it would be to my benefit having him travel with me, he’d be a lot safer staying here. The last thing I want is to put him in any kind of danger. And moving through a forest filled with creatures banished from the fae cities will certainly put us in harm’s way.

Just as I’m about to take off, Harek reappears. It’s just as well. Honestly, I don’t know that my heart could take another loss today.

He gives me a crooked smile. “You ready?”

“Yeah, but are you sure your parents are okay with this?”

“Was I speaking another language before? They want me to make sure you’re taken care of, no matter how long it takes. They’ll be fine, and we all want the best for you.”

A few pieces of my shattered heart come back together. “I appreciate it.” My voice cracks as that lump in my throat grows slightly larger.

He wraps his arms around me and squeezes. It’s an awkward hug with both of us carrying our packs and now my father’s sword in my jacket, but I definitely appreciate the gesture.

“You ready?” He steps back. “We don’t have a lot of darkness left. The sun still rises pretty early this time of year. Do you only want to travel at night?”

“I don’t know. You’re the one who knows the woods. Unfortunately, I only know the farm. Gunnar made sure I didn’t get any other life experience.”

“Forget about him. He’s in your past now.”

“It isn’t that easy. As much as I’d love to never think about him again, the man raised me.”

“Once you have new memories, it’ll be easy to put him out of your mind.”

“I hope I don’t forget my mother.”

“You won’t. She’s always been on your side. That isn’t something you’ll easily forget.”

I swallow the lump in my throat and blink back tears. Though I’m ready to search for my father, it’s going to be hard to leave the only place I’ve ever lived. Aside from a few brief times, I’ve never stepped outside the gates of this settlement. Every night of my life I’ve slept in my bed within the safety of the farmhouse.

Now I’m about to step into the unknown, leaving everything behind except my best friend and the two bags on my back.

I meet Harek’s gaze. “Let’s do this.”

The journey starts. With my father’s sword on me, I feel like I have my mother’s blessing.

Hopefully it’ll be enough.

Chapter

Eight

Because Harek’sfamily lives near the town wall, it only takes us about half an hour on foot to reach it. Given they need to hunt so often, living far inside wouldn’t be practical. Not like the farm, which is nestled almost exactly in the middle of the settlement.

There’s no gate in sight.

I turn to my best friend. “How are we supposed to get out?”

“Follow me.” He marches forward, straight into a thick, prickly bush.

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