“Say more.” I grab one of the handles on his bag, holding it hostage. “Seriously, tell me the truth.”
He glances at the door, then back at me. “Like I said, nothing for certain.”
“Don’t hold out on me.” I tighten my grip on his bag.
He thinks for a moment, then says, “Let me put it this way: I don’t think your time with Peter was great for your health. Now, if you don’t mind, I think Cecco mentioned a leak I need to fix.” He pulls his bag away from me.
“You fix leaks, too?” I ask half-heartedly, my mind still locked on what he’d just said.
He gives me a wry smile. “Not a leak on the ship, Moira. Cecco’s leakiness is a bit more … personal.”
When I figure out what he’s implying, I wrinkle my nose. “You’re a good medic to help him out with that.”
“I’ve tried to get him to lay off the wild women, the mermaids, the sirens, the succubi, the vampires, the goblin mistresses—all of it. But there’s no talking sense into him. So, I just have to keep working on the damage.” He gives me a small bow and backs out of the room, leaving me with my wrinkled nose and my curiosity piqued.
Does he think Peter did something to me? Peter didn’t. Other than not feeding me anything other than neverberries, he never hurt me. I think back through it all—how he saved me from the mermaids, rescued me from the Guardians, looked out for me around the cave. But then I remember our last times together—when he prepared a bath for me and my mind got all fuzzy. When the shadows erupted from the ground, the images of children with red eyes intent on chasing down anyone in their path. What would’ve happened if one of them had caught me?
I shudder just thinking about it. But my revulsion doesn’t answer any of my questions. What were those things and how are they related to Peter? He denied they existed. He was wrong. Something’s not adding up.
A high-low whistle cuts across my thoughts, and I go back out on the deck.
Pirates are hurrying this way and that, tying off lines and furling sails as the ship slows. Neverland has risen on either side of us, the cliffs dotted with scrubby trees and veins of some sort of silver ore. The channel we’re in narrows sharply just ahead.
“Drop anchor!” Hook calls from the front of the ship, his back to me.
“Aye, Captain!” several pirates yell and begin twisting some sort of crank shaft.
I hurry to the railing and lean over to watch the anchor drop into the dark waters, sinking beyond my sight in an instant.
“You never forget your first time at the hideaway.” Starkey leans on the railing beside me. “You’re going to love it.”
“Lay off, Starkey.” Hook’s growl sends a tingle down my spine.
“Yes, Captain.” He winks at me before dashing away.
Hook glares at him for a while before turning to me. “Come, lass. I’ll row you to shore.”
He whistles, and Bill and Smee work on lowering one of the rowboats to the water below.
“I hope you don’t think I can climb up there.” I point to the sharp cliffs that rise like pincers on either side of us. “I’m barely standing from getting my ass kicked by Widow and Bill.”
“You did well today. Keep it up and you might make a fair pirate.”
I give him a sidelong look. “In the market for another crew member?”
He meets my eyes, a sparkle in his. “A good pirate’s worth their weight in gold. I’d pay you well.”
“Hmm, that’s a nice offer, but I’m not much for gutting or stabbing or pillaging. I’m afraid I can’t meet the job requirements.”
“You’d be surprised at what you’re capable of when it’s you or them.” His tone sobers.
“That got dark pretty fast,” I whisper.
His smirk returns, that near half smile that makes something clench low in my stomach. “Come on, lass. Let’s go ashore. Maybe you’ll change your tone when you see what a life of piracy can get you.”
ChapterEleven
I have got you home again, and I mean to keep you.
