Damn. That little tête-à-tête just cut into my time for finding Geo. Not to mention I have no doubt Teynte is running as fast as he can to rat me out to Hook.
I’ve no time to waste, so I take off through the woods, heading in the direction Tinker Bell had pointed. The moon is still low, so hopefully the beasts in the trees will leave me alone. And if they don’t, I’m armed for once. Maybe I can actually defend myself.
I crawl over fallen trees and jump over streams, the forest becoming denser the farther I get from Hook’s Hideaway. No wonder the Lost Boys don’t come here—the trees are becoming thick, almost like toothpicks in rows. If it keeps up like this, I’m going to run into a wall.
Still, I keep going, picking my way past trunks and scrambling over boulders. I can still hear the crash of the sea somewhere away to my left, so I can’t be too far from the cliff that runs along the shore.
I feel the ground rising, and I’m already sweating from the exertion. I know I’m not much for cardio, but this is ridiculous. It has to be from what Peter did to me. A full-on couch potato wouldn’t be struggling as much as I am right now.
When I finally crest a small rise that’s thick with huge trees, I spot a light up the slope and to my right. My heart leaps. I take a deep breath and pull out my cutlass. I have to be ready. Geo isn’t going to just hand over the fairy dust. In my mind, the scenario plays out where he’s asleep and I slip it out of his pocket, or maybe he’s off taking a piss, and I steal it from his bedroll, or I smooth talk it out of him, or, worst case, I duel him until he gives it up.
I try to quiet my steps, though it’s difficult given the amount of twigs from all the trees. The ground is almost bare of vegetation, but there’s still plenty of noisy stuff to step on.
Easing through the darkness, I circle around a little to try and get the upper ground. I can see the lantern now. It’s giving out a yellow glow from where it hangs in a tree. I don’t see Geo, though.
I keep going in a steady arc, then stop when I can get a better view of the small space between the trees where the lantern light casts shadows.
I still don’t see him—no, wait. He’s there underneath a blanket. Holy shit, he’s asleep! This is going to work. I slide my cutlass back into its scabbard and pick my way down to him.
His back is to me, and he doesn’t roll over as I creep beneath the lantern light and reach for the small bag on the ground beside him. With shaking fingers, I loosen the little bit of leather that holds the bag closed, then feel around inside. When my fingers brush against what feels like a glass vial, a thrill goes through me. It’s fairy dust. Has to be.
I pluck it free and pull it from the bag. Right as I do, the bag shifts forward a little, making a slight scuff sound against the ground.
I freeze and hold my breath, my eyes glued to Geo.
When he doesn’t move, I slide the dust into my pocket and stand, then turn slowly.
“Hi, Moira.” Peter stands beneath the lantern, an amused look on his face.
I gasp. “P-Peter.”
“Missed me?” He moves closer, and that’s when I see a shadow behind him, one that doesn’t match his steps.
Panic tries to blot out rational thought. I swallow hard and try to think of something, anything.
“I missed you,” I squeak out.
“Why are you out here in the woods all alone?” He looks around. “It’s dangerous.” Then he focuses on me again. “There might bepirates.”
“I, um, I’m okay. I—”
“You’ve been with Hook.” He steps closer.
I stumble backwards, tripping over Geo. Landing hard on my ass, I yelp then scream when I find a desiccated corpse wrapped in the blanket. I kick away from it, backing into a tree as Peter steps over the body.
He drops to his haunches. “I warned Geo plenty of times. He didn’t listen. And then I find out he’s conspiring against me? I can’t have that.”
I reach for my cutlass, but Peter grabs me by the throat and lifts me until we’re both standing, my back against the tree as I struggle. He’s strong, so much stronger than I remember.
“Let me go.” I scratch at his hand.
He shakes me, and the back of my head smacks into the tree.
“Moira.” He presses against me, his eyes boring into mine. “You belong to me. You aremyboon. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to come for you sooner.” He shoots a dark glare through the trees. “But Hook’s witch is still powerful enough to keep me out.”
“Please.” I try to breathe, to suck in air, but he’s controlling my airway. I start feeling faint, but I can’t let him knock me out. If I do, I’m done.
“Please what?” He presses his cheek to mine and inhales, then rears back. “You stink of Hook.”
