Page 51 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

We set out again, but I can’t seem to calm my racing heart. I can still feel his hands wrapped around mine, and it makes my head warm again. I’ve never had these reactions to Harek before. It must be my awakening magic. Yeah, that’s it. He has some too, so it makes sense. Plus I have those other two fae’s magic still pulsating around in me.

After a few minutes, while my mind is still racing, my palm warms. I glance at it.

It’s glowing orange.

Harek and I exchange a wide-eyed glance.

Vampires must be near. Or some other kind of fae who means us harm.

He glances ahead. “Keep going.”

My pulse races. He better not complain about me being on edge. If there is a good time for it, it’s now. My palm is growing warmer and brighter by the moment. I shove my hands into my pockets so any predators won’t notice it. With any luck, they’ll simply leave us alone.

Crunch!

I gasp. That couldn’t have been a vampire. The others we ran into earlier were all silent, practically appearing out of nowhere. Had my palm not warned me, we’d have never known they were approaching. Well, I suppose Harek might’ve sensed something eventually, but my glow was faster.

Someone steps in front of us, blocking our path. He stands right in the sunlight, confirming he isn’t a vampire. The ones before stayed in the shadows.

He glares at Harek. “A little out of your territory, aren’t you?” I swear there’s a growl in his voice.

My friend furrows his eyebrows. “We’re just passing through. I’m a wolf too.”

“Obviously.” The other guy glances at me.

I tighten my fists, my right one warming more. I’m not sure if it’s a good thing none of these werewolves can shift today. Maybe so, since I’d be stuck as a human.

Harek squares his shoulders. “Move.”

“No.”

They stare each other down. Another two guys and a woman appear.

My palm is now so warm, it’s too uncomfortable to leave in the pocket. I pull it out and release my fist. A fully formed mist ball releases.

All four of the other werewolves turn to me in shock.

The first one who had been so arrogant raises his hands. “We don’t mean any trouble. I didn’t realize… I mean, I never would’ve thought…”

“How is that possible?” The woman stares at me. “It can’t be.”

The four of them all talk over each other.

I step toward them. “Are you going to let us pass?”

The first guy stumbles backward. “I didn’t mean any harm.”

My orange mist ball practically doubles in size. “My friend told you to move out of our way.”

He runs. The others continue staring, blocking our path.

The woman’s concern melts into a hardened glance. “You need to leave our territory.”

I hold my hand up in her direction. “Then get out of our way.”

“Come on, Kinta.” One of the guys grabs her.

She doesn’t take her gaze from me, her eyes turning nearly black. “Don’t ever come our way again. Got it?”

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