"There are a few ground rules I need to clarify with you," Scarlet said, and Amber felt as if she had just been called into the principal's office. "Our first rule is no predation."
Amber blinked. "Excuse me?"
"There is no hunting permitted anywhere on the grounds. We have shifters of all types, and the island is home to several native endangered species. This restriction includes rodents, lizards, and birds, as well as larger mammals. Do you agree to these terms?" Scarlet's green eyes drilled into Amber.
"I, ah, yes, of course."
"If you would like to go fishing, we have equipment that can be checked out at the boathouse, and expeditions can be arranged if there is enough interest. You are also welcome to fish in animal form." Scarlet opened a folder. Amber recognized the paperwork she had nervously filled out online. "
We can skip the grazing restrictions, of course."
"As long as there are no catnip beds I need to stay out of," Amber giggled then stilled at Scarlet's withering stare. "Of course," she said contritely.
"You didn't specify what kind of cat you are," Scarlet said, pen poised over the paper. "Domestic, or ...?"
Amber swallowed. "Andean mountain cat."
Scarlet raised one eyebrow. "I've never met one of those before," she said thoughtfully.
The tiny hope that Amber had been trying not to nurse turned to ash in her chest.
Apparently not noticing, Scarlet wrote neatly on the form, then turned it to Amber. "Please initial."
Amber did, numbly.
Scarlet took the form back. “There is no food storage in your cottage. We are in the tropics, and insects and other pests are quickly attracted to any unattended food and trash. You are welcome to eat at the dining hall any time of day, and there is a limited menu available at the bar and the beach lounge as well, during their open hours.”
Scarlet passed a contract over the desk. "Please sign here to indicate your agreement with our rules."
Amber obediently signed two copies of that, and four more similar forms regarding medical care, liability, a draconian privacy policy that was more like a promise of secrecy on both parts, and a contract for payment.
Then Scarlet was all smiles, rising and giving Amber a firm handshake. "Your application suggested that you would prefer privacy over beach immediacy, so I've assigned you cottage twenty-seven in the upper ring." She handed Amber a glossy pamphlet that unfolded to a map, and circled the cottage in question, well away from any neighbors.
“That looks great,” Amber said with a nod.
"This is the dining hall." Scarlet pointed to the long building just below the office. "There are fresh snacks and drinks available at all times, but meal times are well worth making the effort to attend; our chef is incomparable. Massages and grooming services can be scheduled at the recreation hall. There are yoga, dance, and meditation sessions daily."
Scarlet showed Amber where the schedules were printed in the pamphlet, pointed out a few of the other features, and gave her copies of the paperwork with a clear air of dismissal. “Pura vida,” she said off-handedly.
Pure life was the motto of Costa Rica, and seemed to be used as hello and goodbye, as well.
Amber stood for a long moment outside of Scarlet's door, clutching her carry-ons. She oriented her map and found her way out of the courtyard and out into the gleaming resort.
Chapter Two
Tony Lukin was not good at pretending to relax.
He scowled across the beach to the ocean, waiting for it to do anything but splash on the shore in regular intervals.
The most exciting thing it had done in the hour he'd been out here was attract a few birds, which had circled him hoping for food and then left. The miniature crabs that dug little holes and scuttled around moving sand piles had entertained him for about a minute on the first day. Beach-combing had turned up a lot of broken shells and lackluster pebbles.
He'd tried three different books of varying fluff, he'd tried closing his eyes for a nap, he'd even gone for a swim, in both human and tiger form.
And the sum of it was, vacation bored him.
Vacation that was just a sham bored him even more.
He wanted to be doing something, and it grated on his nerves that he wasn't. He'd been at Shifting Sands for a full week by now, and he was no closer to finding out what he'd come to find than he had been when he stepped off the plane.