He smiles at that. “I suppose so, but it’s more like a duel than anything else.”
“Pistols or swords?”
“The most vicious weapon of them all.” He leans closer to me. “The tongue,” he whispers in my ear.
“Didn’t you get enough at the table?” I elbow him.
“Not at all, lass. I’m still starving.” He moves even closer.
“Thank you for a delicious meal.” Tiger Lily strides in like she’s the master of the house, not Hook. Shiner is at her elbow, her head on a swivel as she takes in one wall full of books, another full of maps, and the windows with the stained glass along the top like the ones in my room. I’ve snuck in here a few times when I knew Hook was out and about. It’s just what you’d think a pirate hideaway should be. Bits of cigars in ashtrays, a robust liquor cabinet, all manner of weapons and trophies on the walls and even a few—like a golden skull—locked in display cases. Nessie busted me once, but instead of ratting me out, she showed me where Hook hides the best liquor.
“I’ll give Cookson your compliments. Can I pour you something stiffer for our talk?” he asks.
“I think we’re all right, and we’ll need clear heads for this to stay … friendly.” Tiger Lily gives a tight smile.
“I’ve found things can be a lot friendlier if there’s liquor involved, but as you wish.” He shows them to the seating area in front of the fireplace.
When they sit, he pulls me down next to him, the two factions facing each other. That’s an odd way for me to think about it—me being part of Hook’s faction. But I suppose I am. I still intend to get that fairy dust and find a way home, but I can admit that I’ve felt more at ease here with this fearsome pirate crew than I have anywhere else. Even … even on the mainland, though that’s hard for me to reconcile.
“Let’s get down to it.” Shiner crosses one leg over the other.
“Shiner’s right.” Tiger Lily settles back against the leather sofa, and Hook slings his arm behind me. Hook begins, “Well, as I see it, Princess, we both have a problem. One that’s gotten so big we can’t ignore it any longer. The island’s magic is being siphoned off by the parasite known as Peter Pan. If we ever want to see the sun rise over Neverland again, we have to stop him. If we work together, I don’t see why we couldn’t bring the fairies, mermaids, and more to our side. But we need to be a solid front on this. I’ve already spoken to Blackbeard and the other pirate captains, kings, and queens. They fear the darkness spreading to all their territories—and they’re right to be afraid. The sun no longer rises over Blackbeard’s Cay. The blight on Neverland has to end, and I’m more than happy to be the one who strikes the killing blow.” His plea ends on a dark note. It’s clear he means to end Peter by any means necessary.
I don’t know how I feel about that. He’s not a good person. There’s no way around that fact—not after what he did to me, and not after what he’s done to the Lost Boys. But does he deserve to die?
Tiger Lily folds her hands in her lap. “I understand your concerns. But you seem to have left out an important part of why the magic here is fading.” She gives him a pointed look. “You are the one who set off the decline. If you recall, you came to me. You asked me for my blessing to enter the sacred cave beneath the NeverTree.”
Hook shifts, his arm draping across my shoulders.
“You heard my refusal, and then you began a fray that led to losses on both sides.”
“Aye.” He nods. “I remember just fine, Tiger Lily. I also remember soon after that you sneaking onto the Jolly Roger with a mind to slit my throat.”
“Becauseyoustill intended to violate the cave despite my decree,” she shoots back. “And then you left me on Marooner’s Rock for the mermaids to devour.” Her ire rises, coloring her throat and cheeks a deep pink. “Petersaved me from that fate.”
His grip on me tightens. “Back then, sure. That Peter probably did something cocky and foolhardy to save you from the death I designed. ButthisPeter?” He shakes his head. “He’s changed, Tiger Lily. You know that.”
“He’s become more like you—taking what he wants, refusing offers of friendship, ignoring the consequences of his own actions.” Her words have bite.
Shiner and I exchange a look, but she gives nothing away. She doesn’t have to. I know she’d defend Tiger Lily to her last breath.
“You blame him for the island’s darkness, butyouare the one who set it in motion.” She tangles her fingers together. “This began because you went into the cave and bargained with the soul of the island. Whatever it gave you created the imbalance. It was a festering wound until Peter committed the same sin. Now, it’s tearing Neverland apart. Make no mistake, Captain, I blame both of you.”
I look at Hook from the corner of my eye. His jaw is tight, his face a grim mask. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but it’s certainly not about reconciliation and finding common ground over a meal. Not anymore.
“I did what I did. I make no apologies for it.” He sounds every bit the fierce pirate of legend, violence dripping from his words. “I will do whatever the island demands of me to repair the damage I’ve caused. You know that. I’ve asked to return to the sacred cave, but you’ve refused your blessing again and again. I will not venture there without it.”
Tiger Lily pins him with an icy glare. “You won’t have it. Not after what you’ve done. I can’t trust you.”
They fall silent, each of them staring daggers at each other. We wait for a long while, the sounds of the violin and someone singing floating in from the back garden. The pirates and the Guardians out there are getting along far better than the ones in this room.
Finally, I clear my throat. “Let me just go over the minutes of the meeting to see if we can move forward, okay?” Shiner nods encouragingly, but Hook and Tiger Lily are still engaged in their standoff. “Hook did a bad thing by going to talk with the island about a request. Is that right?”
“Yes,” Tiger Lily says through tight lips.
“And that was the beginning of the end for the sunshine and maybe some other magical things?”
“Right,” Shiner agrees.
