Where is Coy? I was hoping I could talk him into taking me back to the town today. And if that doesn’t work, I suppose I could try to trick Tootles again.
Tootles.
Why does that thought fill me with icy cold dread? Tootles is harmless. I rub my temples again, the ache beginning anew. I try to think back to when I woke up. Was Tootles in his usual bunk? But I can’t remember waking up at all. The last thing I remember is—I get a flash of something dark, some sort of a … A shadow or a?—
“There you are.” Peter embraces me from behind, his arms going around my waist.
“Hey.” I can’t help but smile. “Did you and Nibs get everything straightened out?”
“We did.” He nuzzles my neck, sending goosebumps down my back. When he grazes his lips against me, I sigh.
Wait. Is this a thing we’re doing now? When did we start?
He turns me around and pulls me to him. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too.”
He kisses me, his lips warm and firm. I let my eyes fall closed as he cups my cheek and delves his tongue into my mouth. There’s no urgency in him, no burning need to claim me. Nothing like Hook.
That thought shakes me, and I open my eyes and pull away.
“What?” He runs his fingers along my jaw. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I try to wriggle out of his hold, but he only grips me more tightly.
“Don’t lie to me, Moira.” His jaw goes tight.
“I’m not. I just had this weird thought is all. It’s nothing.” The ache in my head moves between my eyebrows, like a drill pressing into my skull.
“What was it?” His tone has dropped, the intensity in him swirling like an approaching hurricane.
“I-I …” I’m afraid. I don’t know why. I shouldn’t be afraid of Peter. After all, he’s never harmed me. What’s wrong with me?
“Moira. I’m going to ask you one more time for the truth. If you don’t give it to me—” His grip on my cheek tightens painfully. “Then I’ll be very disappointed.”
“You’re hurting me.” I whimper and try to break from his hold, but I can’t.
“Tell me what you were thinking of.” He leans closer, his eyes flashing with a wild sort of rage. “Whoyou were thinking of.”
“No one. Just you.”
He smiles slowly, his gaze flitting to my mouth before returning to my eyes. “I see.” With a hard shove, he sends me flying backwards onto the bed.
Before I can scramble away, he’s on top of me, his hands around my wrists as he holds me down.
“Peter, stop!” I scream, and when I close my eyes, I see someone else. A pirate. One with dirty blond hair and a gold tooth.Calico Jack. But I see more. So much more. I see Hook. And Coy. And Tootles. And Peter. TherealPeter.
He turns and yells over his shoulder. “Tink, get in here!”
“Let me go!” I try to buck him off, but he’s so much stronger now. Or maybe I’m so much weaker. Have I told more stories? How long have I been here? My traitorous heart jumps to another question—is Hook all right?
“I told you, Moira. You’re mine. You’re staying here.” He snarls in my face. “You’re going to tell stories and do whatever else I want.” He leans down and fastens his perfect teeth to my throat.
I scream again, the sting of his bite bringing tears to my eyes.
“Stop fighting,” he murmurs against my aching skin. “I could rip your throat out, Moira. I could, but I don’t want to. I want you to give in. Just give me what I want.”
“Never.” I struggle to get him off me, but it’s no use. I’m tired. So damn tired. Because ofhim. That memory is a gut punch, one that knocks the wind out of me and then spurs me to fight harder.
