Page 24 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

“As long as you tell me once you’re ready.”

“Definitely.”

He adjusts his packs on his back and squares his shoulders. “Let’s do this.”

“Okay.” My heart rate spikes at the thought, and I check my palm.

No orange glow. It’s so random. Hopefully when I find my father, he’ll be willing to explain it to me—even if he wants nothing to do with me. I just need a little guidance on my weird, new power. He could tell me about it in five minutes and then send me on my way. That should be good enough. Afterward, I can figure out the rest on my own. I’m resourceful like that.

Harek and I march deeper into the cover of the trees. The pine scent grows stronger as the darkness covers us.

I shove my hand into my pocket and keep watch from the corner of my eyes. Not that hiding my glow will do much good in this severely shadowed canopy.

My nerves start to relax as we make it further into the woods without running into anything. We’re slow as molasses in a winter freeze without a torch, but Harek does seem to know his way around in this place.

I walk right into a branch, taking it in the face. “Remind me why we didn’t leave in the light. Especially since the bloodsuckers sleep during the day.”

“Because someone tried to sneak away before we fell asleep.”

“So this is my fault.”

His silence answers my question.

“Didn’t you say it was better to travel at night?” I ask. “I’m sure you said that.”

“It was definitely better that we snuck out the wall when we did. Guards do check the hidden doors frequently for unauthorized use, but at night many snooze even though they aren’t supposed to.”

Snap!

We both freeze in place.

My breath hitches as I listen for another sound while trying to figure out where the first one came from. Everything is too quiet.

I glance at Harek, and even though my eyes have adjusted to the severe lack of light I can only barely see his outline.

That doesn’t give me a lot of hope for finding whatever made the sound before it spots us.

Crack.

Whatever that was, it’s closer than the first sound.

Something is making its way closer to us.

My heart hammers, and I slowly reach for the sword.

“Who goes there?” demands a male voice from the right.

Orange glows from under the fabric of my coat.

Crap.

I make a fist, but that does little to hide the light.

Footsteps sound, and I make out the shape of two people in front of us. Their eyes aren’t glowing red like I’ve heard happens when bloodsuckers are on the prowl. Maybe shifters eyes are different color. Now I wish I’d paid more attention to the whispers. To be fair, I never expected to be in this position.

Yet here I am.

“What’s that?” asks one of them.

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