Chapter 5
“And then there’s the basic orientation session for the new counselors, if you and Buck can manage to cover that, Honey.
Here’s the list of names, and the route for the tour.
” Leonie wrestled with her clipboard, trying to separate the relevant page without scattering the rest of her notes.
“But are you sure you’ve got time for this?
I know you’re busy setting up the art studio. ”
“The campers won’t mind if there are a few boxes of supplies still waiting to be unpacked,” Honey replied. She caught a stray page as it fluttered free, handing it back. “And I’ve got far less on my plate than you do.”
“You clearly need all the help you can get,” Paige added, eying the overflowing clipboard. “We’re happy to lend a hand.”
“I really appreciate you both stepping in,” Leonie said, feeling a fresh stab of guilt. “I’m sorry to have to ask you to cover for me.”
“Zephyr’s the one who should be apologizing,” Honey said. “To you, that is. Honestly, calling Shifter Affairs over a few silly stories from the kids? What on earth was he thinking?”
“I want to know what Conleth was thinking,” Paige said, in a way that did not bode well for her mate. “He knows everything that goes on around here. I don’t believe for one second that he had no idea what Zephyr was planning. Yet he didn’t mention a word of this nonsense to me.”
“Probably because he knew how you’d respond,” Leonie said wryly. “Don’t be too hard on him, Paige. He’s a bit hormonal at the moment.”
Paige huffed, one hand settling over the slight swell of her belly. “He’s not the one who’s pregnant.”
“I suspect that’s the problem.” Leonie stuffed the errant pages back into her clipboard.
“You’re his mate, and even the smoothest pregnancy in the world isn’t exactly a bed of roses.
I predict that for the next six months, ninety-nine percent of his vast brain will be entirely committed to coming up with endless plans to make your life even a fraction more comfortable. He’s probably made a spreadsheet.”
Honey chuckled. “If there was any way Conleth could carry that baby himself, he would.”
“Well, hormones or no hormones, I’m still going to have words with him,” Paige said. “If he knew the agent was coming back to camp—and I’m certain he did—he should have made a proper plan that covered all the necessary arrangements. Not let Zephyr dump all this on you without warning.”
“It is a bit odd,” Honey said, frowning. “Those two know how busy you are. Especially right before camp opens. They could have found someone else to handle this. Or at least given you more notice.”
“Oh, it’s fine,” Leonie lied. “I’ll manage. It’s only a small disruption to my schedule, after all. It’s not like the agent will be here long.”
“He’s already been here a lot longer than his previous visit,” Paige said. “Last time, his paws barely touched the ground before he was taking off again.”
“I didn’t get a chance to meet him last time he was here,” Honey said. “What’s he like, Leonie?”
Hot, was her honest first thought, but that was hardly appropriate. The poor man was here to do a job, after all. He didn’t deserve to be objectified behind his back, no matter how impressive his biceps.
How to describe Agent Zhao? Formal, serious; undeniably powerful, and not just physically.
He’d been reserved, yet she didn’t think it was out of disdain for the undeniably trivial assignment.
She had the impression he was simply far too accustomed to keeping his thoughts and feelings to himself, locked away behind an iron wall.
Yet just for an instant, she’d thrown him off balance. Not when she’d tackled him—good heavens, the man was built like a mountain—but when she’d sympathized about his ability. She’d heard it in his voice; the tiny stutter of surprise, the momentary crack in that relentless self-control.
He looked out at the world from behind darkened glass, observing without being observed. She didn’t think he was used to being seen in return.
She wondered what color his eyes were, and how he would look if he smiled.
“He’s…interesting,” she said. “And he certainly taking this assignment seriously. In fact, I got the impression he takes everything far too seriously. In any case, I’m sure he’ll soon get to the bottom of this ridiculous ghost story.
I shouldn’t need you two to cover for me for more than an hour or so. ”
“Really, Leonie, it’s no problem.” Honey shooed her away. “Off you go. And don’t worry. We’ll take care of everything until you get back.”
With a grateful nod, Leonie left the two women to it. She headed across the camp, taking a circuitous route to avoid being spotted by any counselors. She’d already been delayed enough times this morning.
There weren’t many places on site where one could conduct a covert investigation without risk of interruption.
She could have asked Zephyr and Conleth to vacate the office, but it was right in the heart of camp, where anyone could walk past. The staff lounge was right out, and staff were busy preparing all the dorms for the campers’ arrival.
As head counselor, she had her own small, private cabin, but taking a strange man there would definitely have sparked unwanted gossip.
For lack of better options, she’d ended up stashing Shan in the newly built nature hut. It still wasn’t fully finished, but it had the advantage of being set by the woods, well away from curious eyes.
With a last glance around to make sure no-one was watching, she entered the hut. Inside was a single long, airy room, lined with tables and shelves. Some displayed carefully curated collections of interesting natural objects, while others just held piles of half-unpacked boxes.
She’d expected to find Shan occupying himself on his phone, or perhaps reviewing some of the camp records he’d requested from the office.
Instead, he was hunched over one of the display tables, examining a set of plaster casts of animal paw prints.
With his sunglasses hiding his eyes, it was hard to guess what he was thinking.
“Enjoying our educational nature displays?” she asked.
Shan ran gloved fingertips over a huge slab of plaster with the webbed, taloned imprint of a sea dragon’s front foot. “Perhaps a little too educational, to the wrong eyes.”
“Don’t worry. It’s not like we let random strangers wander into camp. And we’ll hide the more unusual items if the camp inspector visits.” She gestured at the display. “No one who doesn’t already know about shifters is ever going to see any of this.”
It might have been her imagination, but his hidden gaze seemed to linger on a paw print labeled LION - Panthera leo (female). “These are all from staff members?”
“Not all of them, no.” She came over to join him, pointing.
“The griffin footprint comes from one of my brothers, Rory. He’s Rufus’s dad, and a local firefighter.
The unicorn and hellhound tracks are from his crew as well.
Paige wanted to collect as many different species as possible.
If you’re willing, I’m sure she’d love to take an impression of your paw before you go. She doesn’t have a tiger yet.”
A muscle flexed in his jaw. “I am not a tiger.”
“No, of course not.” Good manners meant she should leave it there, but she couldn’t resist fishing a little. “Sorry, I don’t know what to call your animal. I’ve never met a shifter like you before.”
His face was utterly expressionless. “Good.”
So much for that conversation. After a few seconds of awkward silence, Leonie decided a topic change was in order.
“Well, I’ve cleared my schedule,” she said, adopting the bright, aren’t-we-all-having-a-lovely-time voice she normally reserved for particularly cranky campers. “I’m at your disposal for the rest of the day. If you’re ready, I’ll go find the kids.”
To her relief, Shan thawed a little, as if he too welcomed the excuse to return to more professional matters. “Before you do, we should agree on tactics. Do you wish me to disclose my ability to the children up front?”
She hadn’t even considered that question. “Do you normally?”
“No. But I do not usually interrogate children.” The corner of his mouth quirked, just a little. “My customary approach may not be appropriate.”
“Definitely not.” Leonie drummed her fingers against the display table, thinking. “How does your ability work exactly? Do you just somehow know whether or not someone is telling the truth?”
Shan hesitated. She wasn’t sure if he was reluctant to reveal the details of his talent, or just trying to figure out how to put it into words. “I…taste it.”
“You taste if someone is lying? Like, literally? In your mouth?”
Shan dipped his head in confirmation. “Different types of lie have different flavors. One told out of spite or malice tastes dry and bitter, like ashes. A lie spoken out of fear is sharper, and sour. When someone lies with noble intent, to protect another, it is almost palatable.”
“Huh,” she said, fascinated. “I assumed you read body language and micro-expressions. That’s how my dad and nephew can tell if people are lying, though it’s not infallible. Your way sounds a lot more foolproof. So what does truth taste like?”
“Delicious,” Shan said shortly. He looked away, reflected light flashing from his lenses. “And my ability is not without limits. I cannot determine the objective truth of a statement. Only whether that person believes it.”
Leonie realized she was staring at his mouth like a stalker with a lip fetish. No wonder the poor man looked uncomfortable. She hastily redirected her gaze to more neutral regions, which wasn’t easy. Those biceps really were remarkably distracting.
Do not perve on the hot agent, Leonie. She tried to focus on the problem at hand rather than the way the too-small camp T-shirt clung to Shan’s muscled arms.