“She won’t.” His tone sours. “I’ve begged every Spinner since the curse began. None of them will go against their ancestor. But you—you’re not from here. You don’t know the fae customs and you don’t have to abide by them. You could break the curse. It can only be you.”
“Wraith …” I try to gather my words. “I don’t know what to say. I don’t even know if Iamfae. Nothing has manifested. I can’t fly, and I don’t have powers. Widow’s wings grew when she got to Neverland. I’ve grown nothing—well, if anything, I’ve grown sick. Look at me.”
“I know that.” He nods. “I know the chances of you making it to the Fairy Village are small.”
“Hey, unnecessary.” I glare at him.
He groans with frustration. “I don’t mean it that way. Iwantyou to make it. You’re Ari’s only chance.” He swallows hard. “You’remyonly chance to repair the mistake I made, to fix the heart I broke.”
I look at him, his eyes still visible despite the shadows. “Sounds to me like it was two hearts that broke, not just the one.”
He looks away.
I reach out and take his hand. “Wraith, if I make it to the Spinner, I’ll ask her to release Ari from the curse.” A little sizzle plays along my palm where our hands are joined, but it seems to go cold at the end.
He shakes his head. “I don’t want that. It won’t work. Ithasto be you.”
“Then I promise itwillbe me, if it’s in my power.” The sizzle burns a little this time, and I draw back. “Ow.”
“Promises have consequences, Moira. Broken ones—the worst.” He inspects his own palm.
“I won’t let you down. At least, I’ll try not to.”
He glowers a little, then rises.
“Hey,” I call before he melts into the shadows again.
“Yes?”
“Thanks for the story.”
He gives me a nod and fades away.
Chapter
Six
Leaning on the doorframe of the round building, I stare out into the dark. The trees in the village are ringed with platforms, and long ropes hang here and there. I hadn’t even noticed the homes in the trees the first time I came here. Now, though, I’m much more familiar with the Guardians. There are more here than I’d imagined. A whole civilization of people sworn to protect Neverland. The island’s mysteries don’t seem to bother them. They bother me plenty.
“How’s the coffee?” Tiger Lily walks toward me from one of the smaller huts, which I now know is the kitchen.
“Perfect. Thanks.” In truth, it doesn’t taste quite like coffee, but I’ve forgotten what the sludge in the caf was like. Whatever the Guardians serve me is probably better.
“You’ve been up and around quite a bit.” She looks me up and down.
“I’m ready.”
She crosses her arms. For the past two nights, I’ve made a big show of walking around the camp—being careful not to limp—and talking to people. I need to get to the Fairy Village, but if that’s going to happen, I have to show Tiger Lily I’m not going to keel over on the trip there.
“You aren’t ready, Moira.”
“I am.” I hold my arms out and spin for her. “See? Like a ballerina with all this balance and poise.”
She reaches out with two fingers and pushes at my shoulder.
I sway backwards and grab onto the doorframe.
“Not ready.” She sighs.
