Chapter 30
PETER PAN
Long before Darling, before I found my true nature and when Vane still possessed the Darkland Shadow, he and I would disappear for days and go on a spree of fighting and killing trying to spend enough energy to feel more human, or maybe less.
Or maybe we were actually trying to fill a hole at our core that could never be filled.
Not until Darling.
We don’t go on killing sprees anymore. Darling soothed whatever roaming beast existed at the heart of us.
But sometimes I just need to feel the splatter of blood.
And tonight is one of those nights.
I am a god and no one, not Witch Killer or fae or mortal man will take Winnie Darling from me. And I pity the stupid fuck who thinks they are powerful enough to succeed at it.
Vane lights a cigarette, takes a hit, then hands it to me. “You two head to the warehouse,” I tell the twins and take a hit. “Don’t engage yet. Just get a feel for the surrounding area.”
“Where are you going?” Bash asks.
I exhale and hand the cigarette back. “Hansel is meeting us at Kody’s to pay the gnome a visit.”
Kas chuckles, fixing the hair that’s come loose in the fighting. “Something tells me it’ll be more than a friendly visit.”
“If Kody’s lucky, he’ll end up like Doren,” Vane says giving the fae a nudge with the toe of his boot. “Dead, and dead fast.”
“We need those stones,” I say, hating that we do. I’ve known about the Witch Killer bone fragments most of my life, but the Order rarely visits Neverland. I never had a reason to worry about them.
Bash waggles his fingers and Vane hands off the cigarette to him. “If we see Darling, we’re not waiting for you assholes.” Bash takes a hit and then offers the cigarette to his brother. Kas shakes his head.
“We can’t risk losing Darling,” he says. “Doren was our only connection.”
I can’t argue that. “Just be careful.”
The twins may be kings now, but I will always think of them as little brothers. And I’m not going to risk losing them, too.
The cigarette makes its way back to me and I take a long hit, feeling the sharp burn of the smoke in my lungs.
When I exhale, I say, “We shouldn’t be too long. Kody will fold easily.”
Bash laughs. “Like a fucking lawn chair.”
I’m not patient when we arrive at the diner. I shove in the front door and the bell above jangles loudly.
Vane and Hansel are behind me.
A few pirates turn in their booth and then quickly turn back around, minding their own fucking business.
Maisie is behind the counter, a pot of coffee in her hand.
I put my finger to my lips. Shhhhh.
She nods and stays put.
We go around the counter and to the back, pushing into Kody’s office with all the delicacy of a minotaur.
He’s already fumbling around the desk as if he got a two-second warning and is now scrambling to escape.
But there will be no escape for him.
Vane is airborne and darting across the room as Kody scrambles for a dagger set on a stand on his desk. Vane launches himself over the top and the dagger goes clattering to the floor.
Kody lets out a shrill scream as Vane drags him out into the open.
Hansel is by my side, arms crossed over his chest. “I think you might have royally fucked yourself this time, Kody.”
“It’s nothing personal! It’s just business! Your sister offered me more. You know my motto: I’m allies with anyone who wants to pay me the right price!”
“Where are the stones?” I ask.
Time is ticking by in my head.
I believe Hansel when he says the Witch Killers won’t act yet, not until they have me, Vane, and the twins. Maybe those numbers even include Hansel, now that he’s jumped ship for a family he has long since denied himself.
But even knowing all that, I can’t be sure they aren’t torturing Darling. I know she’s tough as nails, but every minute that passes sends a tiny fracture through my resolve.
Vane jostles Kody, and the gnome’s teeth clack together.
“In my safe! In the bottom drawer of my desk!”
I give Hansel a nod and he goes around the desk, pulling the drawer open. “What’s the combination?”
Kody rattles off four numbers and the dial clicks with the turns. When the last is set, Hansel tests the latch and it opens with a metallic clang.
“They in there?” I ask.
The canvas bag is in his hand, clattering with the sound of rocks. He pries it open and checks inside. “Five of them.”
“See?” Kody lifts his arms, portraying innocence. “I kept them safe for you. I knew you’d come back for them!”
“What do you think, Vane?” I ask and cross the room to them. “Should we kill him? Or let him live?”
“If we let him live, he’ll always be looking over his shoulder.” Vane gives him another shake. “That doesn’t seem fair, does it?”
“I’m fine with persistent existential dread!” Kody says. “That seems like a fair trade off!”
The truth is, Kody does occasionally have his advantages. I’m not sure if I came here with the thought of leaving him alive, but now that I’m here, I think saving my energy for the Witch Killers will likely be the better decision.
“Let him go,” I say, and Vane gives Kody a shove.
The gnome stumbles forward and knocks into one of the guest chairs, dropping into it with a gust of air.
“That’s the last time you cross us, Kody. Yes?” I say.
“Yes. Of course. I’m sorry, Peter Pan. It’s business as usual except for you. I’ll always make an exception for you!”
I only half believe him.
With the stones in our possession, we leave the diner behind, aware that our presence could be reported up the Witch Killer chain at any moment.
Vane and I each take a stone, slipping them into our pockets. I would prefer to wear them on leather, but they aren’t drilled for it and time is of the essence.
To Hansel, I say, “We can fly you to the warehouse if you want to get there quickly. Or meet us there. Your choice.”
“I prefer the feel of gravity beneath me, but in this case, I’ll get over it. I know my sister better than anyone. I should be there when you confront her.”
With that settled, I grab Hansel by the shirt and lift off the ground. To his credit, he only yelps a little as the ground disappears beneath us.