The girl looked down at her shoes. She nodded again.
“It’s okay. You can keep things private, even at camp.” Honey crouched, putting herself more at the girl’s level. “But you and Finley have something in common. If you did want to talk about it, I think he’d understand.”
“He doesn’t feel the same way about his animal, though,” Claire mumbled. “He’s proud of his.”
“And you aren’t?”
Claire dug the toe of one shoe into the ground. “It’s just… not what I was expecting. Ever since I was born, people always said I was just like my mom. So I thought…”
“You were going to be the same sort of shifter?” Honey checked that the other kids were still in sight, but not paying attention. “What is she, if you don’t mind me asking?”
In a tiny voice, Claire whispered, “Chameleon.”
Honey had to admit thatwouldhave matched Claire’s personality. She was so good at fading into the background, sometimes even Honey forgot she was there.
“I can see how that would be a surprise, if your animal wasn’t what you thought,” she said. “When did you find out?”
“Not long ago. I shifted for the first time at Christmas.” A slow blush crept over Claire’s face. “In the middle of our big family dinner, in front of everyone. All my cousins and aunts and uncles.Everyone.”
For a girl as shy as Claire, it must have been torture to suddenly find herself the center of attention. Honey was beginning to see why she was so reluctant to shift again.
“That must have been a big shock,” she said gently. “So if you’re not a chameleon like your mom, do you take after your dad?”
“Sort of.” Claire cast her a quick, darting glance. “It’s easier to show than explain. Do you… do you want to see?”
“Now?” Honey said in surprise, and got a small but certain nod in return. “I would love to see your shift form. But only if you’re sure that’s okay.”
Claire’s gaze flicked to Finley, who was now half-laughing, half-protesting under a pile of his friends. There was apprehension in her young face, but also a new determination.
“I think I’m ready to show everyone.” A flicker of worry crossed her expression. “Just… tell them not to laugh.”
Whatever her animal was, Claire apparently couldn’t transform her clothes like Finley and the other mythic shifters. She retreated behind a bush to get undressed in privacy.
“Hey, Honey!” Archie called. “Where’s Claire going?”
“She just needs a private moment,” Honey called back. Since the last thing Claire needed was to emerge to find a circle of goggling onlookers, she pointed down at the lake shore, where water lapped over smooth pebbles. “Tell you what, let’s have a competition, boys against girls. Who can build the highest tower of rocks in five minutes?”
“WE CAN!” Flora and Estelle yelled together, and took off at top speed. Finley and Archie followed, hot on their heels. Beth and Rufus, drawn by the commotion, came swooping down, and soon all the campers were scuffling around with their hands full of pebbles.
“It’s just you and me now, Claire,” she called softly. “You can come out whenever you’re ready.”
For a moment, she thought Claire had lost her nerve. Then two worried, emerald green eyes peered round the bush. Belly to the ground, ears pinned back, a snow leopard slunk into view on soft, tentative paws.
Or notquitea snow leopard. In the shadow of the bush, Claire’s spots were the usual pale, mottled gray, surrounded by black rosettes. As she stepped out into the sun, however, they shimmered, changing color to match the grass under her paws. A breeze stirred the bush behind her, and her spots rippled as well, shifting through hues of subdued greens and browns.
“Claire,” Honey breathed, entranced. “So your dad’s a snow leopard?”
Claire’s spots darkened to muted, muddy tones, as though she were embarrassed. She dipped her round, furry head in a nod.
“And your mom’s a chameleon.” Honey smiled, holding out a hand. “I think that makes you a chameleopard.”
Claire’s whiskers perked up a little. A little tentatively, she rubbed the side of her head against Honey’s hand. Her fur was so dense and plush, it felt like touching spun clouds. As Honey stroked the chameleopard, her spots rippled again, shifting from shy browns to tones of purple and mauve.
“Your animal is wonderful,” she told the chameleopard sincerely. She leaned in, pressing her cheek against Claire’s soft, spotted one. “Just like you.”
All Claire’s spots flushed bright pink. She pressed her forehead into the crook of Honey’s neck for a moment, whiskers tickling her skin. Then Claire pulled away, glancing in the direction of the other campers.
“Do you want to show them, too?” Honey murmured.
