Spencer adjusted his glasses. “It’s probably something to do with quantum physics.”
“Estelle, you and Archie gather up these bowls and take them back to the kitchen,” Leonie said. “Tell the cooks I said it was okay for them to give you more pudding. Finley, Beth, go get some cloths and start cleaning this up. I’ll be back in a few minutes to help. Shan, let’s get you sorted out first.”
Shan rose, pushing back his chair. He’d managed to get some of the mess off himself, but pudding still smeared his sunglasses. “I can manage on my own.”
“Youcan barely see where you’re going.” She took his arm firmly. “There isn’t time for you to take a shower before the evening ceremony. We’ll just have to fix you up as best we can for now. Come on.”
She steered him out of the dining hall, toward the private staff-only bathroom. The door swung shut behind them, cutting off the rising buzz of gossip.
“So much for keeping a low profile,” she muttered. She locked the door, just in case anyone tried to follow them in. “Sorry about this, Shan.”
“No need to apologize.” Shan took a handful of paper towels from the dispenser. Without removing his sunglasses, he started to wipe pudding off his face. “I understood the risks when I agreed to this assignment.”
“You can’t have expected to be bombarded with bowls of pudding. That wasn’t really an accident, was it?”
Shan hesitated, as if reluctant to get the kids in trouble. “The children were telling the truth when they said they were sorry.”
“Shan, I’ve worked at this camp since the day it opened. I know when kids are playing pranks. I honestly don’t know what’s up with those four. Do you have any idea why they’re targeting you?”
He didn’t reply immediately. When he did speak, it was with slow care, as though each word was a landmine. “Earlier, Archie commented on my gloves and sunglasses. I told the children I needed to wear them at all times, but not why.”
That explained why the kids were so curious. “You could just show them, you know.”
“No,” he said curtly. “On the topic of glasses, it seems I am not the only person who needs to keep his eyes covered. Did you know about Spencer?”
She let him change the subject, though she would rather have tried to change his mind. “His animal, you mean? Yes, I do. Did he mention it?”
“Only indirectly. He told the other children he, ah, shot death rays out of his eyes. They thought he was joking. He was not.”
Leonie snorted. “Death rays is a little over-dramatic. It’s true he needs to wear his special glasses all the time, but he’s not actually dangerous.”
“He believes he is.”
“I know.” She sighed. “Normally I let the campers choose whether to tell their counselors and pack mates about their inner animals. It’s important for the kids to learn to respect each other’s privacy, and it’s easier to do that if we respect it as well. But in this case, you should know. Spencer’s a basilisk shifter.”
Shan stilled. “Ah.”
“I see you know what that means.” She wasn’t surprised. Basilisk shifters were extraordinarily rare, but they faced unique challenges in hiding their nature. “Have you encountered any of them in your professional role?”
“A few times.” Shan’s mouth tightened. “Their nature makes them highly valuable to criminal gangs. I take it Spencer has the usual problem?”
“Yep. Anyone who looks him directly in the eyes is affected by his basilisk gaze, even when he’s in human form. Though since he’s still young, his animal isn’t all that powerful yet. According to his parents, the worst he can do is paralyze someone for a few hours.”
Shan rubbed a paper towel thoughtfully across his chocolate-streaked T-shirt. “That sounds like they are speaking from experience.”
“Unfortunately, yes. Even with his special glasses, there have been a few incidents. They had to pull him out of school.” She waved a hand, indicating the camp in general. “Hence why he’s here.”
“He does not seem happy about it.”
“I think he’s worried about hurting people. His parents told me he’s been isolating himself ever since his basilisk fully manifested. He sees his animal as a curse.” She raised her eyebrows at him. “Remind you of anyone?”
Shan gave her a level look through his sunglasses. The effect was somewhat undercut by the fact that he still had chocolate pudding streaked through his hair. “Something tells me Spencer was not originally assigned to this group.”
“Why, Agent Zhao. Whatever makes you think that?” She batted her eyelashes at him. “Though Idotake great care to match campers together. And to the right counselors.”
He shook his head. “And you think I can help Spencer gain better control over his animal?”
“Nope.”
