“Me?” Logan said as they climbed the front steps. Blue was practically humming with nervous energy. “You’re the one who looks like he might steal one of their cars and make a run for the border.”
“Ha-ha,” Blue said, his eyes darting toward the garage as if that sounded like a fine plan to him.
“This is going to be so cool!” Keiko bounced in place on the front step as they rang the doorbell. Logan had never seen her so excited. It was actually kind of cute, in a younger-sister kind of way.
Keiko spun to face them before the door opened. “Okay, ground rules. Do not come near me once we’re inside. I don’t want you two losers dragging me down. When it’s time to go, I’ll find you.”
Logan rolled his eyes at Blue. So much for sisterly affection.
“Oh, hello,” Jasmin purred, pulling open the front door.
Blue would have fallen off the steps if Logan hadn’t grabbed his arm to steady him.
Her hair was clipped back from her face with little pink seashell clips. She wore a pink-seashell bikini top, her midriff was bare, and from the waist down she was encased in a sparkly green-scaled tail.
Jasmin was dressed as a mermaid.
“Hi, Keiko,” she said. “Wow, you’re a . . . blue fox . . . in a spacesuit.”
“Krystal,” Keiko said. “You know. From Star Fox.”
“Right. Okay,” Jasmin said. “Aww, and Logan is a wolf to match, right? Too cute.” Jasmin gave Logan a knowing look.
“Thanks for having me,” Keiko chirped, pushing past her into the main foyer and vanishing into the party.
Jasmin flipped her hair over her shoulder and smiled at Blue. “Do you get it now? I’m the mermaid and you’re the drowning sailor that I saved! Although—” She surveyed his morbid makeup with raised eyebrows. “Hmm. It looks like I got to you too late.”
Logan glanced at Blue, but he clearly wasn’t going to be capable of speech anytime soon.
“We thought he was supposed to be a zombie,” he said.
“Too funny,” Jasmin said. “I can work with that. Come on, Blue. Let’s spray down your hair so at least you look like I just pulled you from the sea. You know, your classic zombie-mermaid story of true love. Tale as old as time, right?” She laughed, taking Blue’s hand.
“Um. Um. Um,” Blue stammered. Logan nudged him in the ribs and mouthed “act normal!” behind Jasmin’s back. “Is that really—do we have to—maybe I should—” The sound of Blue’s voice trailed away as Jasmin tugged him down the hall.
Logan shut the front door behind him. He could hear people’s voices from the den to his left, but Blue and Jasmin had disappeared toward the kitchen at the back.
He took a deep breath, realizing he’d have to go into the party alone. But if he could face dragons and charm a qilin, he could handle walking into a room full of his classmates, right?
The den was packed, although the crowd spilled over into the adjacent dining room. Everyone from their grade was there, except Zoe. Keiko seemed to be the only sixth grader, but she wasn’t letting that slow her down. She sashayed—that was the only word for it—over to the couch and settled in beside two girls. They all started talking and giggling like they’d been best friends for years, but Logan knew Keiko had only moved here last year. How did girls do that? Or was that kind of confidence a special kitsune power?
Logan spotted Marco, dressed as a ninja, hanging out by the food in the dining room.
“Oh, hey, Logan.” Marco slapped Logan on the back. A tray full of miniature quiches went sailing by, and Marco somehow managed to snag about twelve at once. “Great costume. Just promise not to eat me. Ha-ha!”
Logan laughed.
“Yeah, right,” said one of Marco’s soccer friends. Logan was pretty sure his name was Aidan. “You’re far too stringy to make a good meal.”
“True. Plus who would want to deprive the world of my charming personality? I mean, this wouldn’t even be a party if I weren’t here. Logan, when I showed up the only decorations in here were sparkly pumpkins. How boring is that? I mixed it up, don’t worry.”
“EWWW!” a girl cried from the kitchen. “Why are the walls all sticky?”
“Is that a cockroach?” another voice shrieked.
Marco grinned and, with a dramatic flourish, produced a ziplock bag of fake bugs and an empty bottle of goo. Aidan laughed, gave him a high five, and ambled off to the kitchen.
Logan nodded at Marco. “Pretty clever. Better hope Jasmin doesn’t realize you’re the one who slimed up her walls.”
“I can handle her. Hey, so . . . did you come with Blue and Keiko?”
“Yeah, Keiko’s in the den and Blue’s—”
“Cool. See you later.” Marco grabbed a handful of popcorn from the dining room table and headed purposefully toward the den.
Logan made his way into the enormous, gleaming kitchen and found Blue staring gloomily at a can of soda.
“Hey,” Blue said.
“You’re alive!” Logan said.
“Barely. I think Jasmin just tried to drown me.” His hair was plastered to his head and the ends were still dripping slightly. The water formed little rivulets in his makeup as well, making him look like a melting zombie. Blue tugged at the collar of his shirt, lifting it up to wipe his hair. Logan glanced around to make sure they were alone.
“I didn’t know merfolk could drown,” he joked.
“Hardy-har-har.” Blue’s expression turned serious. “Do you think she knows?” he whispered. “About me?”
“No way. How could she?”
“I don’t know. But why would she pick that costume? I’m kind of freaking out about it.” Blue’s version of freaking out was so much calmer than Zoe’s that it was almost hilarious.
“It’s a coincidence,” Logan reassured him. “Don’t worry. Come on, let’s head back to the den and act like regular guys who didn’t just spend a week rescuing griffins, hunting a qilin, arguing with a goose, and saving a dragon.”
“Check this out,” Marco was shouting as they entered the room. “I’m a ninja warrior! Hiya!” Marco whirled in place, kicking out one leg. Unfortunately, his foot snagged in a curtain and he toppled over, landing on Keiko and the other two girls on the couch.
“Aaahh! Get off!” Keiko cried, shoving at Marco’s flailing limbs.
Jasmin sauntered in from the dining room, and the whole room seemed to pause for a moment as they all turned their attention to her. She smiled and tossed her hair back. “All right, everyone. Time to play Truth or Dare.”
“Ooh! Me, me!” Marco volunteered from the floor, where Keiko had dumped him. “I’ll take any dare. I’m not scared of anything!”
“Okay, Marco,” Jasmin said. “I dare you to shut up for fifteen minutes. Who’s next? Cadence, where are you?” Jasmin scanned her guests and Blue ducked behind a marble statue.
“I hate Truth or Dare,” Blue muttered. “I’m going to hide until this whole thing is over.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Logan followed him out of the room. “I know a great secret passage that’s cozy,” he joked.
Blue perked up. “Hey, yeah, that would work.”
“I was kidding, Blue.”
“Mr. Sterling’s study, then,” Blue said. “No one else will dare go in there, and if it’s empty, we can wait out the game.”
Logan and Blue inched open one of the huge carved wooden doors and Logan peeked inside. “Coast is clear.” He and Blue slipped in and carefully closed the door behind them.
“Check out all this cool travel stuff,” Blue said, pointing at an antique globe in the corner.
Logan looked around the room, which he’d been in too much of a panic to fully appreciate on Sunday morning. Two of the walls were lined with bookshelves, and the one behind the ornate desk was floor-to-ceiling clear glass window panes. He could see the sunset painting the sky a bright pink and orange above the trees outside.
Blue flopped into one of the leather chairs and pulled out his phone to check
his messages. Logan examined the miniature jade dragon on Mr. Sterling’s desk. It was delicately balanced on its hind legs with one claw outstretched and its eyes were glittering rubies.
“They’ve got a great backyard,” Logan said. “They don’t have any pets?”
“No.” Blue got up and joined him. “Jasmin’s allergic. It’s too bad. This house could sure use a puppy to cheer it up. It’s so cold.”
“Yeah,” Logan agreed. The place was immaculate and everything in it was expensive and high-quality, but it didn’t feel like a home.
“What are you guys doing in here?” a voice demanded from the door.
Logan and Blue whirled around, crashing into each other. Logan tried to right himself, catching the edge of the desk with his hand, but it slipped off, sending papers flying. He found himself sitting on the floor, Blue’s leg pinning his knee.
“Ow.” Blue held his hand up to his head.
“Oh my gosh, are you all right?” Jasmin rushed over, helping Blue to his feet.
Logan was brushing himself off and starting to rise when something caught his eye. He froze.
One of the papers he’d knocked to the floor was a drawing. He could only see a corner of it—but that corner was clearly marked “Dragon Lair.”
He glanced at Jasmin, but all her attention was focused on Blue. Quickly he slid the paper out from under the others and unrolled it.
It was a map, like the kind you might see for a zoo or amusement park. In the center was a familiar-looking lake with an island labeled “Mermaid Retreat.” On the left were roads looping through something called “Unicorn Safari.” The northern end featured three caves in the side of a cliff, labeled “Dragon Lair,” and south of that was what looked like an enormous roller coaster called “Flight of the Griffins.” To the right of that was a “Frozen Tundra” with a small drawing of a mammoth in a cage. East of the lake was a large dome-covered building marked “Bird Lodge.”
Worst of all, in place of the house, there was a building labeled “Research Laboratory—Medical/Pharmaceutical Experiments.”
Logan was holding a map to the Menagerie—or rather, a horrible vision of what might happen to the Menagerie.
The Sterlings knew all about it. They hadn’t forgotten anything Jonathan might have told them. In fact, it looked like they had plans of their own for the mythical-creature sanctuary—plans that involved exposing it and then making a pile of money off it.
He had to get back to the Kahns and warn them. This was even worse than whoever was trying to sabotage them.
The Menagerie was in grave danger.
To be continued . . .
CAMP UNDERPAW’S GUIDE TO MYTHICAL CREATURES
A Brief Overview for Trackers in Training
You’ve made it to Camp Underpaw—your first step on the path to becoming a Tracker!
Now, forget everything you think you know about “mythical” creatures. Being a Tracker is not about riding magical unicorns and cuddling griffin cubs. It is a dangerous career suitable only for the toughest, most committed creature hunters. It takes determination and resourcefulness, guts and brains, and all the skills you’ll learn in this intensive, hands-on Tracker camp experience.
And it starts with memorizing this list of the most notable and notorious creatures you’re likely to encounter out in the world. Look it over and think carefully . . . is this really the right future for you? Are you ready to face venomous teeth and razor-sharp claws and kraken ink?
If so—welcome to Camp Underpaw!
REMEMBER THESE CREATURES
ALICANTO
Most commonly found in Chile, these birds are easily recognized by their wings, which shimmer and clatter as if they were made of gold and silver. Their primary food source is metal, with a strong preference for gold and silver, but in captivity alicantos are usually fed lesser metals and often survive on a diet of pennies. Search for these birds along waterways and high in the mountains near precious metal mines. You will know you are getting close when you hear a sound like raining coins. Protective earplugs highly recommended.
ANT-LION
A small insect with the body of an ant and the head of a lion. Very aggressive and territorial, but can be mollified with food (other insects, crumbs, scraps of meat, etc.). Wear thick boots and be careful where you step when tracking these tiny, ferocious biters.
BAKU
A big, gentle, nocturnal creature resembling a tapir. Native to Japan, bakus eat dreams, particularly nightmares. Usually found near humans and can sometimes be summoned after especially vivid dreams.
BASILISK
A deadly, venomous giant lizard; its gaze kills anyone who looks at it. Do not underestimate the threat of these creatures; bring backup and a mirror if you must track one. The crow of a rooster will put the basilisk to sleep, but only a weasel can kill it.
BONNACON
A giant, vicious creature shaped like a bull with a mane like a horse, horns that curve backward, and fiery dung. Extremely easy to track by its excretions, but approach with caution. Bring nose plugs and a fire extinguisher.
CALADRIUS
A pure-white bird roughly the size of a gull. It is known for being able to discern whether someone is telling the truth or lying.
CHIMERA
A creature that is part lion, part goat, and part snake (and all dangerous); beware its ability to breathe fire.
CHUPACABRA
The chupacabra has the head of a dog, a spiny back, and scaly skin; its red eyes can hypnotize and it leaves a sulfurous odor in its wake. Tends to feed on goats and other livestock, but has been known to bite people as well.
DRAGON (Chinese)
Related to Western dragons, but without wings or fire-breathing; Chinese dragons can change their size and love the water.
DRAGON (Western)
Enormous fire-breathing creatures with scales, talons, and vast wings. Usually they choose the relative safety of captivity and do not require Tracking.
GOLDEN GOOSE
A larger-than-average goose who can lay golden eggs.
GRIFFIN
A lion-eagle hybrid, with the body, paws, and tail of a lion and the wings and head of an eagle; they are traditionally guardians, mistrust horses, and love treasure. If you can identify what treasure a griffin is protecting, they are easier to track.
HALCYON
A small blue bird with white throat feathers that looks something like a kingfisher and can affect the weather.
HELLHOUND
Oversized black dogs with sulfurous breath and glowing red eyes. Try to avoid their slobber as it can sting if it comes in contact with broken skin.
HIPPOCAMP
A water animal with the head and front legs of a horse but the tail of a fish.
JACKALOPE
Only found in Wyoming, a jackalope looks like a rabbit with antlers. Beware its ability to imitate the human voice, as it may lead you on a merry chase.
KAPPA
Water sprites from Japan with scales, faces like monkeys, and turtle shells on their backs. They love cucumbers but will also happily eat children.
KELPIE
A malevolent kind of water horse who lurks by ponds and rivers to lure people into the water for the purpose of drowning and/or eating them. Basically, if you see a horse standing next to a lake, leave it alone.
KITSUNE
Native to Japan, a kitsune’s true shape is a fox, but they can also shift into human form, so they are monitored by the SuperNatural Agency for Mostly Human Protection (SNAMHP). They are very difficult to catch because a full-grown kitsune can often read minds, see the future, fly, possess people, and create illusions that mimic reality. A clever Tracker might spot one by its fox-shaped shadow. Dogs are sometimes useful for tracking them as a dog can sniff out a kitsune’s true nature.
KRAKEN
Possibly the largest of all mythical creatures, the kraken is shaped like a giant squid and lives deep in the ocean. Their ink can wipe all supernatural me
mories from your brain, and more than one promising Tracker’s career has been derailed by an unfortunate encounter with it. Only specially trained deep-sea Trackers are qualified to search for creatures like this.
MANTICORE
A fierce and deadly creature with a lion’s body and claws, a scorpion’s tail, and a face like a man with rows of sharp fangs. Extremely dangerous—do not approach!
MAPINGUARI
A giant sloth-like animal found in the dark jungles of South America. They are slow, but willing to eat people, and fearsomely bad-smelling—bad enough that they can often be tracked by their terrible scent.
MERMAID
Exactly what you think they are: people with fish tails from the waist down who prefer to live underwater. Classed as Mostly Human and therefore monitored by SNAMHP.
PEGASUS
A winged horse. The primary difficulty in tracking them is that no ordinary saddle will fit around their wings.
PHOENIX
A beautiful scarlet-plumed bird who occasionally dies in a burst of flames and is then reborn from an egg found in the ashes. There is only one in the world, currently located in the Wyoming Menagerie.
PYROSALAMANDER
The mythical cousins of a regular salamander, pyrosalamanders are small, bright red, and eat fire. Handle with caution and be sure to feed them regularly!
QILIN
Sometimes confused with unicorns or called a “Chinese unicorn,” as they are usually found in China or Japan. A qilin has the slender body of a deer, fish scales along its back, and one horn pointing backwards from its head. They are able to sense the guilt or innocence of others. Extremely difficult to track as a qilin passes over grass without flattening it. Take care when capturing one as it is bad luck to wound a qilin.
ROC
A gigantic bird of prey, usually with white and gold feathers, capable of carrying an elephant in its massive claws. Found in the most uninhabited mountainous regions of the world.
SELKIE
Another Mostly Human sea hybrid; selkies take the form of seals in the water, but can slip off their sealskins and assume human form while on land. Please try not to bring in ordinary seals who are “acting suspicious,” as this happens entirely too often and SNAMPH is not amused by it.
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