There’s a mirror here. As I stare into it, I realize I haven’t looked in a mirror since Pan took me.
“Holy shit.” I press my palms to my gaunt cheeks, the dark circles under my eyes like two shiners. The mermaid bite must’ve been even more horrible than I remember. I look sickly, far worse than I could’ve imagined.
Nessie comes up behind me and peers at my reflection as well. “You’ll be back to rights after you see the Spinner.”
“The who?” I lean closer, taking in the drained look that shadows my face.
“The Spinner. At the Fairy Village. She’ll be able to fix what’s ailing you.”
“The mermaid bite?”
“Pish posh.” She cackles. “The mermaid bite was nothing. This is from you giving out your magic like free treats on All Hallows Eve with no mind to the consequences.”
I lean on the sink and feel like I’m well and truly going mad, because everything she’s saying is not computing. “Are you a sphinx? Can you only speak in riddles? I needrealinformation.”
She cackles again, this time even louder. “Yes, I like you, girl. James chose well.” Surprisingly agile, she turns on her heel and toddles away. “I’ll have some clothes for you soon. I’ve got your measurements in here.” She taps her temple then disappears into the hallway.
I press my forehead to the mirror, frustration oozing out of me. “What the fuck? Like, no seriously, what in the ever-loving fuck? What the fuuuuuuck!” I breathe out, my breath fogging the glass.
After a few moments, I pull back. I have to stop looking in this mirror. It’s messing with my head. I leave the bathroom and close the door tightly behind me, then inspect the bedroom.
The furniture is spare, but what’s in here is useful. There’s a bed, nightstand, a dresser, and a small wardrobe that’s empty. The windows have top pieces that are done in stained glass, and the bottom panes are wavy but clear. I open the middle one and let the sound of frogs and chirps of crickets enter the room. This part of Neverland is like a smaller forest, one that has different sorts of trees than the areas I’m used to. There are no clinging vines and roars in the bushes, just a lovely little hamlet with stars overhead. It’s as if this part is self-contained, and given the cliffs we had to scale just to get here, perhaps it’s isolated from the rest of Neverland. Even if Hook doesn’t appreciate it, Hook’s Hideaway is the perfect name for it.
I sink onto the bed and rub my eyes. Mysunkeneyes. Damn, I look like a monster. And Hook had the nerve to say I’m pretty? When I look like a ghoul? God, what if this is permanent? What if I’ll always look like I’m two days of sun out from being a full prune? I snatch a pillow from the bed and scream into it. And what was Nessie even talking about? Riddle after riddle. Magic?Ihave magic?
Holding my hand out, I say, “bibbipity fuckity boo” and snap my fingers. Nope. No magic.
“What was that supposed to be?” Widow leans against the doorframe.
“Thank heavens.” I jump up and drag her into the room, then sit her on the bed as I pace in front of her.
“This is nice.” She gives me a quizzical look. “But I rather like the little home I was assigned.” She hitches a thumb over her shoulder. “Running water and everything.”
“That’s great. Okay, you’re going to answer my questions, and—” I hold up a finger. “You willnotspeak in riddles.”
A wary look crosses her face. “All right. I’ll answer what I can.”
“Why do people keep referring to me as Peter’s boon?”
Her gaze darts away.
“Hey!” I stomp over so I’m in her line of sight again. “Tell me!”
She sucks on a tooth, then shrugs. “I can only tell you what I’ve heard.”
“That’s better than what I’ve got which is a whole heap of nothing.” I put my hands on my hips. “Go on.”
“I’m relatively new to Neverland. Sure, I’m part fairy, but just because I have an ancestor from here doesn’t mean I know a whole lot about the island. I mean, look, my wings didn’t even sprout until I got here—that’s how far back in the line my fairy is. It took the island’s magic to wake it up.”
“You’re stalling.”
“All right, look. This is what I think I know, but I can’t promise it’s the real deal. So take it with a pinch of salt over your shoulder.” She clears her throat. “The island grants wishes.”
I scratch the side of my head. “Okay, so …”
“So, when Peter Pan brought you over from the mainland, we all assumed it was in answer to a wish. It’s extremely uncommon for Peter to bring anyone from the mainland. They say the last time he did it, he brought—”
“My great-great-great grandmother Wendy.” I finish for her.
