“No problem.” Estelle exchanged triumphant smirks with the other girls. “Have a good night.”
As Honey walked away, she heard whispered giggles behind her back, along with what sounded awfully like a high five.
Well, that’s not ominous at all.
She still had misgivings about this whole business, but shehadpinky promised. Not that she had any intention of actually going for a midnight hike—which, without shifter senses and stamina, seemed like an excellent way to break a leg—but the girls didn’t have to know that. She’d only promised to relax, after all.
Shewouldget away from camp, like the girls had suggested, she decided. Take her car out for a drive, maybe find a fast food place. A little taste of normality would be good for her. No matter how much the camp had started to feel like home, it was time to remind herself that there was a bigger world out there.
A world where kids were just kids, and nobody turned into animals.
A world that didn’t include a certain grumpy, ridiculous man with shoulders for days and dark, wolfish eyes.
She was halfway to the parking lot when a four-legged form leaped out of the shadows. Feathered wings spread wide, barring her way.
A few weeks ago, I would have screamed,she reflected wryly.
“Hello, Rufus,” she said. “Is everything all right?”
The young griffin’s tufted, leonine tail lashed from side to side. His hooked beak opened to let out a hiss.
Clearly something wasnotall right. Honey looked around for Finley, but for once Rufus was without his loyal shadow.
“Rufus?” she said, starting to get more concerned. She crouched so that she could stroke his soft, feathered head. “Don’t worry. Whatever it is, I’m here to help. Let’s go find Finley, okay? That way you’ll be able to tell me what’s wrong.”
The griffin hissed again. His golden flanks shimmered, shifting. Rufus shook his head, his cheek against her palm.
“Not Finley? One of the others, then?”
Rufus shook his head again, even more vehemently. He pulled a crumpled note out of his pocket, thrusting it into her hand.
IT’S A TRAP
IGNATIUS SUSPECTS
HE’S FOLLOWING YOU
Honey stared at the wobbling block capitals, then at Rufus.
“You know,” she breathed.
Rufus nodded.
“Does anyone else? Finley, or Archie, or the girls?”
Firm, certain head shake.
“Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
He blinked at her, as though that should be obvious. Turning, he looked at the woodshed where they’d first met, then back at her.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “And I’m sorry. I know how hard it is, having to keep a secret.”
Rufus’s expressions were always hard to read, but she thought he looked a little wry at that. He shrugged, as if it had been no big deal. She wondered how many other secrets might be locked away behind his observant golden eyes and still tongue.
She opened her mouth to say that she’d never wanted to burden him with her problems, but Rufus shook his head again. He tapped the note he’d given her. His meaning was clear:Focus on the most important issue.
She glanced down at the last line, and leaned forward to whisper in his ear. “Is he watching now?”
