Finley’s forehead furrowed. “I guess the hotshot crew is kind of his version of summer camp. Huh. I never thought of it like that.”
“I think he might understand your feelings better than you think,” Honey said. “Maybe you should talk to him about it sometime.”
“Maybe I will.” Finley turned to the other kids, looking worried. “This doesn’t change anything, right? Remember, you all promised you wouldn’t treat me any differently.”
“You didn’t have to make us pinky promise onthat,” Flora said. “You’re our friend. That’s all that matters. Right, guys?”
Claire nodded, but Archie didn’t say anything. He was still standing frozen, staring at Finley. Honey didn’t think he’d even breathed yet.
Estelle kicked the side of his foot. “Archie.”
Archie’s throat worked. “You’re a… giant flying magic shark?”
“Um.” Finley’s apprehensive expression deepened. “Yes.”
Archie contemplated this for a moment.
“I suppose,” he said, in the tones of someone grudgingly making a huge concession, “that’salmostas cool as being a bear.”
Honey had often seen Finley smile, but there had always been something a little reserved about it. Now, however, he broke into a broad grin, showing startling rows of sharp, saw-edged teeth. He flung himself at the other boy, sweeping him up in a fierce, relieved hug.
“I saidalmost.” Archie struggled to get free, without success. “Don’t get all mushy.”
“It still means a lot.” Finley released him. “Thanks, Archie.”
Claire had gone a bit quiet—not that she wasn’t always quiet, but Honey thought there was something even more hesitant about her posture. The girl eyed Finley, chewing on her lower lip as though debating with herself.
“Finley,” Claire burst out, apparently reaching a decision. “You said your mom and dad are different types of shifter?”
Finley nodded. “My dad’s a sea dragon, but my mom’s a great white shark. It was kind of a big deal at the time, since sea dragons and sharks are traditionally enemies. But everyone could see that they were true mates, and eventually most people came round to the idea. There are still some traditionalists who aren’t too happy about me, since they think only a sea dragon should rule Atlantis, but they don’t have much power these days.”
“You don’t look like a great white shark, though,” Claire said. “Is that because you’re half-dragon?”
“Maybe,” Finley said, sounding a little cautious. “It’s kind of complicated. Some people think I’m a megalodon shifter, which means… something special to shark shifters. But I’m a strange color, so other people think it’s just my sea dragon blood that makes me so big.”
“What do you think?” Honey asked.
“I don’t really know.” Finley spread his hands. “How would I tell? I’m just… me.”
“And we like you just the way you are.” Estelle slung an arm around Finley’s neck. “Except when you hog all the dessert, you pie-stealing pig.”
Finley sighed. “Estelle, it wasone slice.”
“Well, it wasmyslice.”
“I thought you’d left it for me. Anyway, we were four years old. Let it go.”
Estelle tightened her grip. “Never.”
Putting Finley in a head-lock, Estelle scrubbed her knuckles over his scalp in a vicious noogie. Finley struggled, yelling for help, and Archie and Flora happily piled in—though on whose side, it was difficult to tell.
Claire didn’t join in. As she hung back, watching the others wrestle, Honey could see the longing hidden behind her shy manner.
“Claire,” she murmured, pitching her voice for the girl’s ears alone. “Areyourparents different types of shifter?”
Claire hesitated, then nodded.
“Is that why you’re shy about your shift form?”
