Page 63 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

Looking around, it’s clear nobody’s paying us any attention, but it’s only a matter of time before another fae figures out there’s a werewolf in their midst so close to nightfall.

Harek points to my hand. “Your palm is glowing.”

I shove my hand into a pocket. “Big surprise. We’re surrounded by fae.”

“It means one of them is dangerous.”

“And there’s a big crowd. Nobody’s going to do anything here. Let’s go.”

We hurry toward some foliage. It might be where we have to sleep, not that it’ll be any different from the past week or so. Once we reach a large, rainbow bush, we hide behind it and catch our breaths.

I turn to him. “If they kick you out, I’m going with you.”

“I appreciate it, but you need to be here. If your father is here?—”

“I’m not leaving you. We can come back during the daytime.”

He sighs. “You’re stubborn.”

“Says the guy who traveled all this way after I tried talking you out of it.”

“We need a plan.”

“We have one.”

Harek throws me an exasperated look. “I mean arealplan.”

“It is real—we’ll sleep where we can and then try to figure out what we’re able about my father tomorrow. There has to be a library with information. Maybe even some people who’ll be willing to help us out.”

He starts to respond, but someone off to the side clears their throat.

It’s the woman with sunset-like hair. Now it’s darker but with a few rich hues, like the sky above.

A wave of fear runs through me. What if she kicks us out? I can’t think of any other reason she’d follow us all the way over here.

I swallow. “Can we help you?”

She motions toward a district with smaller buildings than the business district. “Let’s talk.”

I exchange a questioning glance with Harek.

He rises and squares his shoulders. “What about?”

“This isn’t the place.” She glances at me. “You know there’s danger in the crowd.”

Blood drains from my head. How does she know that? Did she see my palm? She couldn’t have.

She motions toward the buildings again. “Let’s talk over dinner.”

I freeze. An actual meal?

Harek looks like he’s trying to send me a message with his eyes. He subtly shakes his head.

The woman almost looks amused. “We can go to a restaurant if that would make you feel better, but I can offer you a shower at my place. And I assure you the food is much better.”

My stomach growls again.

She glances at Harek. “I’ll even let your kind stay overnight.”

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