B1.S2. Arrival

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We arrive at Starr Island with all problems un-talked-about. The boat had been too loud for conversation and too small to trust the privacy of a text message. Dima had piloted from the motor in the back, with his cousin glaring at me through the water drops on her glasses anytime I'd turned around.

As soon as Dima starts tying the boat to the dock, Margo ignores Clint's requests to wait and runs off toward the mansion. She's either forgotten about the missing people or thinks herself safe from what took them. With how her rucksack jangles at every step, she can't possibly believe herself stealthy.

Clint grabs his bag and heads after Margo. I debate staying at the dock, watching over Dima as he secures the boat, his white shirt clinging to him where it's wet with ocean spray... but this might be my only opportunity to speak with Clint in relative private. I grab the hard plastic tube concealing my sword and follow Clint onto the island.

The fog makes it hard to tell what might be watching us, whether from the encroaching woods or the house itself. I've never cared for human buildings, but the mansion at least has more shapes to it than the rectangles of the city. A round tower decorates one corner and square windows jut out from the triangular roof. A layer of dirt stands out from the white where it collects in corners and engravings.

Across the lawn, Margo records herself with a video camera held at arm's length. "Edward and Elizabeth Starr were found in their study, bodies torn to pieces," she announces. "The room was in shambles, but nowhere else showed signs of an intruder. Now nearly one hundred years later, the hunter of Starr Island has claimed three more victims. I'm on site to expose this supernatural killer."

I catch up to Clint on the path to the front door and ask in a low voice, "Aren't you supposed to make sure humans don't get involved in all this? Their presence makes it a bit harder to fulfill my end of our bargain."

He slows to a stop, keeping us out of earshot. "I wouldn't have brought them if I didn't think their help would be necessary. Regardless of what Ms. Graves seems to think, nothing she or Dimitri learn today will go past them, and the FBI will only hear of what they need to. Our agreement will stand."

The FBI doesn't want the average person to know monsters and magic are real, and prefers if creatures like me are "contained". Their way of saying imprisoned, shackled, monitored, or on occasion, dead. Seeing as I'd rather not comply, Clint keeps me hidden from his employer in exchange for help on hunts. The extra caveat is I can't make myself too obvious. Bringing these two here not only lets them in on the big secret, but also exposes my secret.

I look back to where Dima's finishing up at the dock. I don't care what Margo thinks of me, but Dima is good, normal person. I'd rather never see him again than have him know I'm someone who will dangle a person off an overpass for being annoying. Or that I need a special deal to keep from being on the receiving end of a hunt like this one.

"I won't risk using magic around them," I tell Clint.

He raises an eyebrow at that. "It won't affect our bargain if they know what you are, but if you don't help--"

"I never specified what manner of help I'd provide. I could always offer less." I'd expected to use that loophole to avoid fighting entirely. Then it turned out I prefer killing monsters over pretending to be what I'm not. Now it seems I'm to use it to do both.

"And you're willing to risk their lives with that technicality?" Clint asks.

That gives me pause. "What exactly are we after?"

"I'll tell you when I know for sure. The workers saw nothing unusual and all I have to go on are rumors of the Starrs' potential cult involvement. It could be bad, so I need to know: Are you willing to risk their lives to keep yourself hidden?"

I let my silence be my answer, and with Dima coming closer, he has no choice but to accept it. He could tell Dima and Margo everything, if he's willing to risk losing even more of my help. It seems he isn't.

"Fine," he says with a heavy sigh. "Not like I can force you to do anything. But if you're adamant about keeping up appearances, you might want to watch where you step."

He gestures to the grass around us and I realize we're surrounded by clover. Unthinking panic takes over and I check my hand. Still just three knuckles. Still normal human nails and dull copper skin.

I glare at Clint as he walks away with a self-satisfied smirk. Only direct contact with a four-leaf clover can break my glamour. No matter how much there is, it'll only be a problem if I stick my face in it. Whether it's a joke or an intentional reminder of the weakness, I take it as a sign that he's not planning on putting a bullet in my head for this.

I bury my hands in my pockets and join everyone else at the front door. Dima and Margo aren't armed, and have no way to defend themselves. Half of what Margo thinks she knows is wrong, and despite being likely capable of it, Dima would never want to hurt anything. I can't guess what help Clint thinks they'll provide.

"The missing people were working outside when they disappeared," Margo says, still recording. "Why are we starting inside?"

"Search parties already checked outside, and it will be easier to see recent activity in an abandoned house," Clint answers while unlocking the door. "Once we're inside, stay close and don't touch anything that isn't related to the investigation. They want to restore the house, not rebuild it."

"What are you expecting we'll find?" Dima asks. I try not to pay too much attention to him.

The door pops open with a creak and stale air comes tumbling out. "I'm hoping we find three hungry construction workers sleeping off the special mushrooms they found. But remember they disappeared while surrounded by colleagues. Stay. Close." He makes eye contact with Margo as he repeats his prior order, then gives a final warning glance to me before heading inside.

I let Margo and Dima go in ahead of me. I can keep a better eye on them from the back. Despite what I'd let Clint think, I've no intentions of allowing anything to hurt Dima, which requires keeping his cousin just as safe.

I step through the threshold into the dark and dusty mansion, not having any idea what we'll find inside. Avoiding magic will be a risk, but I'd rather have a more difficult hunt than have Dima see me for what I really am.