“I have a better idea.” Leonie looped an arm through hers. “You’re coming with me. Some of us are going into town tonight.”
She hadn’t realized the other counselors didn’t stay on site all the time. “Is that allowed?”
“What, you thought we’d lock you up all summer?” Leonie checked her watch. “Quick, go get changed into outside clothes. It’ll do you good to get away from this place for an evening.”
Paige had to admit, the prospect did sound appealing. Still, she hesitated. “Conleth won’t be there, will he?”
“Nope. Girls only.” Leonie shooed her away. “I told Moira we’d leave in fifteen minutes. Meet us at the parking lot, okay?”
Knowing her co-counselor, Paige couldn’t help wondering if there was something more to this sudden invitation. But there was no arguing with Leonie when she was in an organizational mood.
Returning to her cabin, she dug around for something that didn’t have the Camp Thunderbird logo. She’d become so used to wearing the staff t-shirt, just putting on a simple red top felt like getting dressed up for a date.
This had betternotbe a date.
Even jogging across the camp, she was still five minutes late. By the time she arrived at the entrance to the parking lot, out of breath, Leonie and Moira were already there.
And so was someone else. Paige’s heart did a weird, guilty leap before she recognized the tall, hulking figure.
“Hi, Ragvald,” she greeted the wyrm shifter. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but I thought Leonie said this was girls only.”
“I’m afraid that as my bodyguard, Ragvald insists on escorting me wherever I go,” Moira said. “It’s impossible to convince him it’s not really necessary. Believe me, I’ve tried.”
“I swore an oath on my honor that I would protect you with my life, princess,” Ragvald rumbled. “And a wyrm does not break his word. But do not fear, friend Paige. I shall not intrude upon the bonding rituals between yourself and your shield-sisters. You will not even know I am there.”
Paige considered the giant Viking, and decided not to comment.
“Besides, noble Leonie has graciously declared that I am an honorary girl for the evening,” Ragvald continued. He spread his arms. “Can you not tell? I have dressed myself in your culture’s traditional female attire.”
Paige blinked at him. As far as she could tell, he’d only swapped his camp t-shirt for a sleeveless leather vest. “Er… you have?”
“Yes.” Ragvald pointed solemnly at his beard, now braided and tied at the end with a scrap of pink ribbon. “See? I am wearing a bow.”
“And you look very pretty, Ragvald,” Leonie said, mouth curving in amusement. She tossed her car keys into the air, catching them again. “Come on, everyone. I want a meal that doesn’t come on a plastic plate, and Paige definitely needs an adult drink. Let’s get this show on the road.”
It was strange to be driving out of camp. Paige watched the Camp Thunderbird sign recede in the rear-view mirror, feeling oddly like a teenager sneaking out after dark. Or at least, how she imagined that would have felt. She hadn’t exactly been that sort of teenager.
Moira leaned forward from the back seat, tapping Leonie on the shoulder. “You’re going the wrong way.”
“Change of plan,” Leonie said airily, not slowing the car. “I don’t feel like tacos. We’re going to Jimmy’s instead.”
Moira gave her a sharp look. “Jimmy’s?”
“Mmmhmm.” Leonie didn’t take her attention off the road. “I’m in the mood for a burger.”
Moira’s gaze flicked to Paige. “You do realize it’s Saturday, right?”
“Don’t they serve burgers on Saturday?” Paige asked.
“No, they do.” Moira hesitated. “Paige, we should warn you?—”
“Not to underestimate their cocktails!” Leonie sang out, cutting off her friend. She turned up the volume on the stereo. “They make them strong at Jimmy’s, and you don’t want to be dealing with a hangover on top of the campers. Oooh, Ragvald, I’ve been meaning to play this song for you. You’ll love it.”
From the way Moira’s lips compressed, Paige did not think she had been concerned about the strength of the cocktails. But with Leonie now belting out Taylor Swift at the top of her voice—with frequent pauses to try to explain the lyrics to Ragvald—there was no opportunity to push the issue. Her suspicions intensified.
“Here we are,” Leonie said, pulling into a parking lot. She cut the engine. “Ragvald, I expect your honor requires you to check the area for threats before Moira gets out?”
“That’s really not necessary,” Moira started.
