Page 23 of Rebel Fae
Regina huffed. “Who said she was in charge?” Now that she felt better, her nasty attitude was back.
“I’m okay if she’s in charge,” Ronnie put in. “At least she hasn’t tried to eat us.”
“It’s not my fault I can’t eat those nasty MREs they gave us. Whoever is running this place is irresponsible for what happened and needs to do better than one half-full thermos of blood.” Regina gave Dr. Watts and Crescent a dirty glare.
“I assure you, you won’t starve,” Crescent said in response. “You need to learn some self-restraint. This will help your rehabilitation.”
Regina tensed, her fists tightening.
“Speaking of rehabilitation,” Ronnie began, “what does this have to do with us learning to be better people or whatever? I was told we’d be doing some of that?”
“Yeah,” Becca added, stepping beside him. “My mom said I’d be in group counseling.”
Crescent shook her head. “Your mother is mistaken. If she had read the contract carefully, she would know that the service she paid for consists of an experience-based camp. Being out in nature, exercising, and learning to get along with others will give you the character you need to rehabilitate.”
As if he hadn’t heard the last bit of conversation, Dr. Watts swiveled and presented the treasure chest to the vampire. “You can take the chest, Regina. Maybe later, you can hold an election for a leader. If you think you need one, that is.”
Regina took the chest and frowned at it, appearing put out. It seemed she didn’t care so much about who got the chest as much as who got the title of leader.
Dr. Watts walked to the bench and sat back down. “Your quest comprises finding the key that opens the treasure chest.”
“And what’s in it?” Becca asked, staring curiously at the chest in Regina’s hands. It seemed she’d already forgotten about the mattresses.
Dr. Watts shook his head. “That, we can’t tell you. It’s a surprise.”
“I don’t like your surprises,” I mumbled under my breath.
“I don’t, either,” Bael said, taking a step closer to Regina. “What if we break it?”
Just as he said this, he snatched the chest from Regina’s hands and smashed against the ground.
When it didn’t break, he stamped it down with one large, booted foot. He did so repeatedly, using enough force to crack even the toughest of coconuts, but the chest showed no damage whatsoever. But of course.
Dr. Watts and Crescent made no protests. They simply watched as the Khurynian exerted himself, trying to break open the wooden box to no avail. After a succession of over twenty violent kicks and stomps, Bael finally stopped. Frustration twisted his features, and his pale lavender skin was nearly violet.
“Satisfied?” Dr. Watts asked.
Bael grunted.
“As you can see, this magical chest is indestructible and will not open unless you put the right key to the lock. It’s that simple.” Dr. Watts grinned.
My stomach turned. I knew there was nothing simple on this island.
“So where’s the key?” Ronnie asked.
“Therein lies the rub,” Dr. Watts said. “That is your quest. You have to find the key.”
Ronnie nodded. “Okay, so it’s like geocaching.”
“Like what?” Becca and Dr. Watts asked in unison.
“You know… you get some coordinates and a GPS device, then you find the treasure.” Ronnie glanced around to see if anyone knew what he was talking about. “Oh, never mind,” he said when he realized we all appeared lost. Well, all except Vaughn, but I guessed he wasn’t allowed to help us, at least not in our “counselors’” presence.
Everyone stood quiet, waiting to hear more. Dr. Watts allowed his gaze to go to each camper. He offered everyone a smile, his head swiveling like a bird’s as he peered at everyone. At last, he glanced at Crescent and inclined his head.
“I think our work here is done.” He stood and held out his arm.
Crescent took it—though I didn’t understand how she knew it was there—and rose to her feet.
