Hehadput a lot of thought into this. “You really are taking this whole counselor thing seriously.”
He glanced down at her, one eyebrow quirking. “You sound surprised.”
“I am, to be honest. Archie told me you never showed any interest in the campers. And Zephyr said you’re only here at camp at all because…” Crap, they were back on dangerous ground again. “Well, you know. The prophecy.”
“True,” Conleth said, voice perfectly neutral. His gaze moved past her left shoulder. “Ah. It seems we’ll have to cut this conversation short.”
Oh, thank God.She glanced around, but couldn’t see anything wrong. “Why?”
“Because your brother has been giving us hard looks for the past few minutes, and just snuck off into the woods,” Conleth replied. His eyes had gone a little unfocussed, so she assumed he was tracking Archie with his pegasus abilities rather than any conventional sense. “I believe he’s intending to hide an item of clothing somewhere unpleasant. At least, that’s what I hope he’s planning. I can think of several alternatives, none of them particularly appealing. In any event, it seems we’ll find out in three… two… one…”
“CONLETH!” Archie hollered, right on cue. “I CAN’T FIND MY SHIRT!”
Paige raised her eyebrows at her co-counselor. “Were you given a whole list of remarkably specific prophecies, or do you have some other talent you haven’t told me about?”
“Neither,” he said wryly. “Simply some experience with the inner workings of a certain type of young mind. I suppose I’d better go see how inventive he’s been.”
“No, you stay here.” Paige was all too grateful for her brother’s interruption. “I’ll take care of it. Where is he?”
“That way.” Conleth pointed without looking. A slightly pained expression crossed his face. “Please make sure he turns out his pockets before he returns.”
Sure enough, when Paige found her brother, his pockets bulged suspiciously. Under her stern glare, he reluctantly emptied them.
“But Paaaaaaige,” he protested as the pile of earthworms writhed apart. “It’s spaghetti night!”
“I think Conleth would have noticed.” She folded her arms. “Now where did you put your shirt?”
Archie morosely watched his precious catch disappear into the leaf litter. “It’s over there. But I need Conleth to get it.”
Glancing around, Paige spotted her brother’s shirt draped over a nearby tree stump. “No, you don’t. Go and fetch it yourself.”
“Ummmmmmm.” Archie eyed the glossy green leaves covering the stump. “I really think it would be better if Conleth did that, actually.”
Paige took a closer look herself and groaned. “Archie, can’t you recognize poison ivy?”
“Of course I can!” Archie said indignantly. A smirk spread across his face. “But I bet Conleth can’t.”
She shook her head, casting around for a long stick so she could fish his shirt out safely. “You’ve got to stop persecuting him like this.”
“I’m doing it to protect you!” Archie protested. “I saw you just now, getting all cozy together. You’ve got the mating fever, and you don’t even know it!”
“For the last time, Archie, there’s no such thing as mating fever!” She managed to snag his t-shirt, pulling it free from the stump. “You aren’t going to be able to wear this until it’s washed. Maybe Conleth can fly back to camp to fetch you a spare shirt. And I mean it about leaving him alone from now on. You know it upsets Beth.”
“Only if you promise to keep your distance from him,” Archie said stubbornly. “Don’t let him trick you again. He’s going around acting all nice, and you’re falling for it! You gotta be more careful!”
Paige glanced over her shoulder. Through the trees, she caught a glimpse of Conleth, now calling the other kids back for a snack. As if sensing her attention, he paused, head turning. She quickly looked away before his eyes could meet hers.
“Yes,” she said under her breath. “I will.”
CHAPTER 18
Over the course of his career, Conleth had amassed an impressive CV, with an extensive list of qualifications and achievements. After two weeks as a camp counselor, this had grown considerably longer:
CONLETH TIERNACH-WEST
BA (Hons), MBA
Key skills
