“No!” I turn and crawl away, tears mixing with the water in my eyes as I try to make it to safety. But there is none. Only more of those yellow eyes waiting for me at the forest’s edge.
When the wolf grabs my ankle and yanks me backwards, the only thing I leave behind are claw marks in the sand.
ChapterFive
Iplunge beneath the water again, my body at the breaking point as an arm wraps around me. The fangs will come next, and then I’ll be nothing more. Just another one of Neverland’s victims.
But the bite doesn’t happen.
Opening my eyes, I can barely see in the dim water. But I’m being pulled away from the falls and the shore. Away from the yellow eyes of the wolves.
When we finally surface, I drag air into my lungs, then sputter and cough. Before I can even get a look at who has me, I’m pulled under again. Right as I am, I see those yellow eyes on the bank nearby, a whole pack of werewolves pawing at the creek.
We continue through the water until my lungs begin to burn. Then I’m whipped around, and I finally get a glimpse of flowing hair and pale skin. Shiner kisses me, her breath pouring into my lungs and giving me life. Then she takes my arm again and pulls me along beneath the surface. We swim a good way farther before she drags me to the surface, and we both gasp for air.
I spin, looking for the yellow eyes in the dark trees.
“They won’t come—” She gasps in more air. “—this far. They know.” She points, and up ahead I see the familiar shape of the Guardian village. The round building sits in the middle with smoke rising lazily from its chimney.
Dazed, I doggy paddle toward the bank as Shiner swims by my side. She makes it first, then offers me her hand and drags me from the water.
I collapse on the black sand. She lets out a high whistle of complicated notes, then drops beside me, her back to the village and a blade in her hand as she watches the trees.
“How did you find me?” I can barely get the words out, my body shutting down and my mind going blank.
“Stay awake,” she snaps, and I hear the worry in her voice.
“Awake.” I try to nod, but I slip down to the sand on my side.
“Moira.” She puts one hand on my shoulder and shakes me. “Just hang on.”
“Yes.” That’s when I realize I’m not speaking. I haven’t said a word. I’m trapped in my mind. My eyes close, and there’s the familiar cinderblock wall. At this point, it’s almost a comfort. I know it well. It’s not trying to hurt me.
“Moira!” Shiner’s voice is coming at me through a long, dark tunnel strewn with debris and weeds draped from the ceiling. More of a cave than a tunnel, one with water dripping all around and clay that makes you sink up to your knees. Then farther and farther until it’s to your chest, then your neck, then covering your mouth and nose as you suffocate, becoming forever part of this island. Part of Neverland.
* * *
I wake screaming.Strong hands hold me down, and I’m unable to fight to free myself.
“Breathe!” A female voice. One I recognize. “Please, Moira. You’re safe. You’re all right.” Tiger Lily appears in my vision and kneels beside me. “Bunk, let her go.”
Bunk, who looms over me, releases his hold on my shoulders and backs away.
I’m in the round building beside the fire. Lifting my hands, I see they’re bandaged. My feet too, though I can’t see them through the blanket. I can feel the gauze between my toes.
“What happened?” I lie back and focus on Tiger Lily. On thenow.
“Shiner found you and brought you here. You’re in bad shape, Moira.” Tiger Lily doesn’t mince words.
“I know.” I realize my voice is squeaky, weak.
“We have to get you to the Fairy Village. If we don’t …” She doesn’t have to finish the sentence. I see it in her eyes.
“I’ll die.” I breathe out in a slow whoosh and turn onto my side, my whole body rebelling at the exertion.
“Yes.” She wipes a cool washcloth across my forehead. “We’ve treated your wounds on the surface, but we can’t undo what Peter has done. We can’t give that back to you. Only the Spinner can.”
“She won’t make it.” Wraith glowers at me from the shadows. “A slight breeze would knock her over.”
