Seven

As I entered the hunter's warehouse, Deaton greeted me with a warm smile. I felt a twinge of guilt in my chest as I smiled back at him, knowing that I was keeping a dangerous secret from the very people who had taken me in.

"Good morning, Deaton," I said as I walked towards him.

"Good morning, my dear," he replied, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I must say, you did a fine job taking down that vampire lair."

I nodded, accepting the compliment but feeling uneasy inside. "Thank you, Deaton. It wasn't easy, but we managed to do it."

"I had no doubt that you could handle it," he said with a grin. "You've got a strong spirit, and you're not afraid to face danger head-on."

I forced a smile, hoping that Deaton wouldn't notice the turmoil I was feeling inside. "Thanks, Deaton. I appreciate your confidence in me."

He looked at me for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Is everything alright, my dear? You seem a bit distracted."

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of whether I should tell