Easing through the darkness, I circle around a little to try and get the upper ground. I can see the lantern now. It’s giving outa yellow glow from where it hangs in a tree. I don’t see Geo, though.
I keep going in a steady arc, then stop when I can get a better view of the small space between the trees where the lantern light casts shadows.
I still don’t see him—no, wait. He’s there underneath a blanket. Holy shit, he’s asleep! This is going to work. I slide my cutlass back into its scabbard and pick my way down to him.
His back is to me, and he doesn’t roll over as I creep beneath the lantern light and reach for the small bag on the ground beside him. With shaking fingers, I loosen the little bit of leather that holds the bag closed, then feel around inside. When my fingers brush against what feels like a glass vial, a thrill goes through me. It’s fairy dust. Has to be.
I pluck it free and pull it from the bag. Right as I do, the bag shifts forward a little, making a slight scuff sound against the ground.
I freeze and hold my breath, my eyes glued to Geo.
When he doesn’t move, I slide the dust into my pocket and stand, then turn slowly.
“Hi, Moira.” Peter stands beneath the lantern, an amused look on his face.
I gasp. “P-Peter.”
“Missed me?” He moves closer, and that’s when I see a shadow behind him, one that doesn’t match his steps.
Panic tries to blot out rational thought. I swallow hard and try to think of something, anything.
“I missed you,” I squeak out.
“Why are you out here in the woods all alone?” He looks around. “It’s dangerous.” Then he focuses on me again. “There might bepirates.”
“I, um, I’m okay. I?—”
“You’ve been with Hook.” He steps closer.
I stumble backwards, tripping over Geo. Landing hard on my ass, I yelp then scream when I find a desiccated corpse wrapped in the blanket. I kick away from it, backing into a tree as Peter steps over the body.
He drops to his haunches. “I warned Geo plenty of times. He didn’t listen. And then I find out he’s conspiring against me? I can’t have that.”
I reach for my cutlass, but Peter grabs me by the throat and lifts me until we’re both standing, my back against the tree as I struggle. He’s strong, so much stronger than I remember.
“Let me go.” I scratch at his hand.
He shakes me, and the back of my head smacks into the tree.
“Moira.” He presses against me, his eyes boring into mine. “You belong to me. You aremyboon. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to come for you sooner.” He shoots a dark glare through the trees. “But Hook’s witch is still powerful enough to keep me out.”
“Please.” I try to breathe, to suck in air, but he’s controlling my airway. I start feeling faint, but I can’t let him knock me out. If I do, I’m done.
“Please what?” He presses his cheek to mine and inhales, then rears back. “You stink of Hook.”
“Peter.” I choke on his name.
“Has he touched you?” He looks down my body. “Has he taken what’s mine?”
My vision begins to fade, and I fight harder, slapping at him and trying to break his hold.
He grabs my hair and pulls until I scream, then turns me around and shoves me face-first into the tree. Pain blooms on my cheek as his other hand returns to my throat.
“You are mine.” His hot breath is against my ear. “Every part of you. The island gave you tome. Not him. Now you are coming back to the cave. You are going to do what I say. You are going to tell stories. Do you understand?”
“No!” I yell.
“Yes, Moira.” His grip tightens on my aching throat again. “When I say that you are mine, I mean it. It means I can do what I want with you.Anything.” He licks the shell of my ear, and I try to break away. I get nowhere. “That includes killing you if I want to.” He turns me around and forces me to look down at Geo’s corpse. His face is sunken, the bones showing through.
