Chapter 3
The sun was high in the sky when I arrived in Neverland. A few sparse, white clouds floated lazily about. Despite the determination ablaze in my chest, wonder filled my veins as the land of adventure and magic spanned before me.
It was buzzing with life. There was Hangman’s Point, the highest pinnacle where Peter first brought me to overlook the magical island and the surrounding waters.
To the east of that, I barely made out the inlet that led to Marooners’ Rock. Peter had once rescued Princess Tiger Lily from the clutches of Hook and his pirates there. I recalled the thrill of the eternal boy of Neverland first teaching me how to wield a sword right before he flew off into the face of danger.
Too many trees blocked the actual rock, but I assumed that on such a fine day the mermaids must be out, sunbathing on the warm stone, their beautiful aqua scales catching the afternoon light, giving off a glistening hue.
To the north, a soft glow drifted up from the jungle. My, the fairy population of Neverland had expanded. They took up the whole northern tip of the island. I had never seen so many. Last time I was here, only a couple hundred dotted the island. Now, there were thousands at least.
To the east lay Princess Tiger Lily’s territory. Ever the fierce warriors and skilled hunters. I hoped for the chance to see my old friend.
But first, I had work to do.
I switched my gaze to the left. The pirate port of Swindler’s Cove was where the adults lived, supplying Hook and his crew. The town was overrun with pirates, a few merchants, and the women of the night that worked at Madame Pearl’s. No ships were in port.
Out on the waves of the sea drifted the Jolly Roger, where my nemesis resided.
Hook.
My hand brushed my knives under my flapping cloak. I wanted to go now, but needed information. I flew up next to the little fairy leading the way. “You’re taking me to Peter, yes?”
Tinker Bell only tinkled. I supposed I’d have to trust the tiny creature.
We came to a collection of upside-down treehouses built into the underside of a cliff. Pathways carved into the stone made it possible to walk between the small homes. I raised an eyebrow. This was much more intricate than our previous hideout in the base of a tree. But of course, Hook had destroyed that one when I was here last. Tink led me to the largest treehouse, squeezing between the spaces in the moss and leaf-covered door of his home.
I paused outside, a small thrill of nerves gathering in my stomach. My hand wrapped around the acorn on my neck. Inside was the boy I had wished for so long would come back to me, first because of infatuation, and then out of desperation. I’d have to push aside whatever lingering resentments I had toward him. I was here for my brothers.
Pushing the door open, I entered.
The floor was covered in autumn leaves and the furniture was woven from the resources that Neverland offered. Weapons and other tools lay scattered among the foliage. I squinted into the dimly lit space. A boy, several years older than the one I expected to find, perched on a small alcove carved into the cliff face, wearing dyed green animal skins.
“Peter?”
“Hello, Wendy.”
Instead of the innocent youth of eleven or twelve that I remembered, a boy of about fifteen or sixteen crouched before me, studying me. Despite his advancement in age, I recognized his golden hair and laughing eyes. This was Peter. My mind spun. But how? Why?
His head cocked to the side as he looked me over, curiosity in his face. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”
I gave a tentative smile. “Of course I am. It”s only that… my brothers. Do you know where they are?”
I had so many questions, but that could wait. For Seven years, I’d desired to find out what happened to John and Michael. This question had burned on my tongue, pounded in my mind. I’d ask it first.
Peter alighted from his perch. He stood almost to my full height. “How old are you?”
“Twenty.”
His face scrunched in surprise. “Has it been that long?”
Bitterness and annoyance raced through me. How dare he act like he didn’t remember. As if my brothers and I were people to be forgotten. I shut my eyes, reminding myself that Peter was Peter. But deep down, he was good, and he’d help me. “Yes, Peter. It has been that long. Now, my brothers?”
His head dipped, and his shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry I have to tell you, but your brothers are dead.”
I nearly doubled over at the news. No. My arms wrapped around my middle at the nausea that filled me. No. No! My throat constricted painfully, and my hands curled into fists even while my eyes stung with tears.
Michael with his floppy blond hair and John with his lopsided know-it-all grin. They couldn’t be gone. They couldn’t.
The searing in my throat intensified. “Are you sure?” I croaked.
Peter nodded. “Forgive me for not coming and telling you, but Hook killed them not long after returning to Neverland, and I couldn’t admit to you I’d failed.”
Tears spilled down my cheeks. My breaths came in short gasps, the pain in my chest shattering me, breaking me apart and searing through every part of my body.
Hook.
He’d killed them. He’d done this. Damn him. Damn Hook! I would gut him alive. I would—
I nearly leapt as I felt Peter’s arm across my shoulders. “I wish there was more I could do.”
I moved out of his hold, every part of me raging with an inevitable fury. “Where’s Hook?” My voice shook even as a cold certainty took over.
“Where he normally is. On his ship.”
I turned to go.
“I need your help,” Peter called after me.
I tensed but twisted to face him. Whatever it was, it could wait. I had a pirate captain to bleed out across the deck of his own ship.
But Peter stared at me with an earnestness that was almost too intense. “Hook has gotten his hands on the spellbook of Stardust. It has the power, when combined with another artifact, to drain the magic from Neverland. If that happens, everyone and everything will be destroyed. I beg you to help me retrieve it from him.”
“That’s going to be rather difficult as I am on my way to murder the captain of the Jolly Roger,” I said.
“I need that book. It is dangerous, not only in Hook’s hands, but if any of his men got ahold of it after his death…” Peter shook his head. “If you could get him to talk. Trick him. Use your… feminine wiles on him.”
My eyes widened, and I wanted to ask if he even knew what feminine wiles were. But then I clenched my jaw. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you, Wendy.” He grinned at me, showing off his straight white teeth. “Beware, Hook will tell you all kinds of lies to get you on his side, right before he turns on you. Oh, one more thing.”
My lips pressed, and now both eyebrows were raised. I bounced a little on my toes. The coldness wrapped around my heart urging me to leave.
“Me and my Lost Boys can’t go after Hook. You see, he’s cast a spell that makes him immune from the attacks of children. We’re unable to injure or harm him. You must do this on your own. But I can send Tinker Bell ahead to scout out the best way in.”
“Thank you.” On a last thought, I moved my knives from my cloak and into the holder on my thigh. Then I untied my cloak. “I’ll leave this here.” I left it on the floor of his hut before spinning on my heel and heading for the door.
The captain of the Jolly Roger was about to meet his fate.
There would be no mercy.