The Garden (Into Shadow, #1)

by Tomi Adeyemi

Angelo looked like he had been born to step into the unknown. Lęina had always been told she was born to stay at home.

She could smell sadness like a fragrance sprayed in the air. Something young girls dotted behind their ears. She smelled the way men carried sadness in their chests, always given to them by their fathers, or a girl who broke their heart.

“I think men are afraid of their fathers,” Lęina continued when Angelo didn’t answer. “Afraid. Or at odds. Sons used to replace their fathers. Now both live too long.”

“Which parent did you hate the most?” Angelo stared at Lęina for a long moment, clearly wondering if this was a joke. “Never mind.” Lęina shook her head. “Maybe that’s just an American thing . . .”