Page 58 of The Curse Breaker

“I don’t even know where Kimble is,” I said, aghast. It felt like we were having the same argument we’d had just days before. “I risked everything to be here,” I told her, thinking of Charlotte’s threat. “The Rudds are on to me. Axel told them about the treasure. Mr. Rudd is threatening to take everything the Terrys have.”

Aggy grasped my hand. “We both know you will never let that happen.”

“The island must want me here too,” I said desperately. “I keep dreaming about it. And others searching for the treasure.” My heart seized as I thought of the woman in my dream. “Why else would the island let me return? It doesn’t want me to leave you behind. Why would you want me to?”

Aggy pulled me in despite my protests and hugged me. “It’s our debt to be paid to the island for saving our lives. I will make sure the others understand. I’ve made my peace, Sparrow. You need to as well. There is work to be done. Lots of work. When the time is right, you’ll know what to do.”

I was so mad. I didn’t understand. “If I go back without you, no one will be able to help you get off this island in two hundred years. I will be long gone. Don’t you understand that?”

She smiled through her tears. “That’s where you’re wrong. Didn’t you read my note?”

I thought of the paper hidden under the mattress in my room. I’d read it over and over, but it never made sense. “Find Everly Benedict, age twelve, June twenty twenty-five.”

“Remember her name! Now you need to go,” Aggy stressed. She squeezed my hand again. “But first, I need the treasure you brought to the island.”

The coin hadn’t stopped whispering to me since we arrived. “If I give you this coin, Charlotte will kill me. She’s waiting on the beach, and she’s angry. I won’t be able to get past her without it.”

“You will,” Aggy said firmly. “No one can cross my best friend, Evelyn Terry, and get away with it.” Aggy cupped my hands with her own. “I need this coin for Gil, but I promise I’ll keep the treasure safe. Everly Benedict will need it later when a bigger threat appears.”

“Lady Adrienne,” I whispered.

Aggy’s smile slipped from her face. “Yes.”

She didn’t ask how I knew. The wind blew past us again, the whispers growing louder and louder. Thank you! Evelyn Terry! Thank you!

Suddenly I could hear Charlotte yelling. Aggy pulled me in for another hug. We were both crying now.

“You’ll hear from me soon,” she whispered. “I promise.”

“Winks?” I sobbed into her shoulder, which smelled like verbena.

“Yes. Cross my heart and hope to die, which I won’t now, thanks to you.” She pulled away. “Godspeed, Evelyn!”

“And to you, Aggy!” I said, trying not to get emotional again as we let go of each other. The sky started to mist, the fog rolling in around her, and then I saw the sandbar retreating. I rushed along it, hearing Charlotte’s shouts growing as I returned to shore.

“You wicked child,” she spat, moving back and forth like a fox stalking the chicken coop. The green ring on her finger was so mesmerizing, I focused on that instead of on Charlotte’s face. “I warned you not to cross me. Now you will pay.”

I tried to calm my nerves. “You wanted me to find a way back on the island, and I did.”

“You were supposed to take me with you!” she roared. “I need that chest!”

I tried not to let my fear show. “I couldn’t carry it on my own.” I held out my fist. “But I did get you more treasure—for now—till we can figure out how to both get on the island.” My heart was beating fast now. “Let me past you, and I will give the treasure to you.”

“I’m not a fool, dear. Show me the treasure first,” she purred.

I could hear my own heartbeat. I felt the bile rising in my throat as I moved toward her, wondering how I’d ever get past. Aggy, help me. I took a tentative step, and Charlotte lunged, reaching out and throwing her arm around my neck. I felt the gem on her ring dig into my skin. It burned. For a moment, I could hear whispers, and I wasn’t sure if it was the island or the ring.

“Open your palm. Now,” Charlotte said.

Shaking, I did as I was told. I think we both knew my palm was empty.

Charlotte held me tighter. “Where is the treasure you took from me?”

“On the island,” I managed to say. “Where it belongs.”

Charlotte started to squeeze my neck harder, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. “That was a mistake. Without that piece of eight, you have no bargaining power. You’re of no use to me now. I’ll find someone else to do my bidding.” She held me tighter, and I fought to stay conscious. “I’m not waiting another two hundred years to get what I’m owed.”

“Let her go!”