Page 85 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

Then I can think about how to beat my father at his own game.

Chapter

Twenty-Nine

By the timeHarek and I finally read through the entire book, my mind feels like mush. At this point, I’m not sure I’ve absorbed anything. I’ve also long passed the point where I’m impressed about reading an alphabet I was never taught.

Harek closes the book. “We should eat.”

“And sleep.” I yawn. “I’m not capable of conversation at this point.”

“Food will help.”

“Hopefully.”

“It will.” He gives me an encouraging smile. “Doesn’t it feel good to know more about yourself? I still can’t get over the fact that you’re the hunter. I didn’t even know it was real, and here I’ve been looking at one every day!”

I groan. “Where are we going to eat? Back at Vivvi’s?”

“That’s the only thing I can think of, since neither of us have any fae money. Unless you found a way to make some with magic?”

“Not when I haven’t left your sight.” I rub my temples. “Let’s go there. All I want to do is eat and then sleep for a day. Let my mind process all of that information.”

Harek rises from the table and returns the book to the shelf. I’m too mentally fatigued to join him. Every time I blink, all I see is the strange lettering I’ve been reading for hours.

“You ready?” He holds out a hand.

I let him help me up. Not only am I famished, but the souls are ramming around in me. The thought sends a shiver down my spine.

“Are you okay?” Harek asks.

“I can’t believe those things I absorbed aresouls. Though it does make more sense than magic. It’s been feeling like they’re fighting, and now I bet that’s exactly what’s going on.”

He pulls me into an embrace. “I’m so sorry you have to deal with that. We’ll figure out a way to get your sword back so you can get them out of you.”

Suddenly that thought seems worse. “Howis the sword supposed to help? I don’t want to have to cut into my stomach to get them out!”

“With any luck, it’ll absorb the souls from you.”

“I’m not sure I have that much luck.”

He pats my back before stepping away. “If the sword absorbs them when killing the fae, then it must have the ability to take them from you too. But that’s a problem for another day. Just make sure you don’t kill any more fae in the meantime.”

“Don’t say that so loud.” I look around to make sure nobody heard him, but we appear to be alone.

“You worry too much.”

“And you don’t worry enough.”

He looks amused. “It’s like we’ve swapped roles.”

“This whole world is new to me,” I snap. “I don’t know what you expect from me. It isn’t like I had a lifetime to prepare for this, like some people.”

He sighs dramatically.

“You know I’m right.”

“I’m sorry.” As we start toward the stairs, he slides his fingers through mine, and I find myself relaxing.

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