Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
ROC
If you had told me in very recent history that one day I would be sharing a drink in the Joker’s Den with my little brother, Vane, his Darling, Winnie, along with Peter Pan, and the fae princes, Kas, and Bash, I would have asked you: what am I wearing and do I look handsome?
I am, in fact, dazzling today.
No one wears a three-piece suit better than me, the Devourer of Men, AKA the Crocodile, AKA the future king of Darkland.
The Joker’s Den is closed today in observance of my wedding, but we’ve gathered here for a celebratory pre-drink.
My bartender, Skinny Egg, as he is affectionately known because he’s bald and skinny and looks like an egg, has poured us each a shot of bourbon. My favorite.
Sitting on my left is my brother, Vane. On my right is Kas, then Bash, Winnie and Peter Pan.
Peter Pan radiates power like a fucking inferno.
At his request, all of the windows are drawn closed so the daylight can’t reach him.
He’s a god, a primordial star, and he and the sun don’t mix.
He’ll miss the wedding while day still reigns, but I’ve invited him to the after-party and made him promise not to outshine me.
My jokes about stars notwithstanding, he seems to be tolerating me and my demands quite well.
I raise my glass. “To new alliances,” I say.
They nod and lift their glasses and we all drink to that.
“Shall we toast to—”
The front of the Joker’s Den bursts open.
Peter Pan curses and disappears in a flash of light.
Vane and the twins are on their feet.
I turn, a little bored, and spot Smee in the doorway.
“You aren’t invited,” I tell her.
Like Peter Pan, Smee tolerates me because of our overlapping interests. But she once hurt my feelings and I haven’t forgiven her.
“Jas has been kidnapped,” she says and comes into the main room, letting the door slam shut behind her.
I go very, very still. “He what?”
“I was meeting him at The Dorian House and caught sight of him as they were shoving him into a carriage.”
Blood is rushing through my ears.
“Who are ‘they’?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know your deplorables. But I have a description of the carriage.”
I may be a Jabberwocky at my core, but taking on the Darkland Dark Shadow means I don’t have access to my monster. But still, it writhes with that age-old need to devour.
To make those who cross me disappear.
“Who the fuck was stupid enough to kidnap the Crocodile’s boyfriend?” Kas is saying.
“RIP to that guy,” Bash adds.
My teeth grind together. I suck in a breath and try to quell the rage turning my vision red.
“Tell me everything you saw, Smee. And tell me quickly.”