The tentacles writhe as another set shoots from the water near it, though these are more of a green color. The sea splashes around them as the tentacles join together and slide along each other.
“Is that … Are they mating?” I wrinkle my nose.
“Might want to avert your eyes. They’re known for making quite a mess.” Hook keeps looking.
“What kind of a mess?” Shiner walks over to that side of the ship and stares.
A loud whale sound vibrates through the ocean, and then the water around the tentacles begins to glow a bright green, like bioluminescent algae. The color spreads, churning through the water.
“He blew his load too soon.” Cecco’s laugh makes it down to us. “Imbarazzante!”
“Embarrassing, indeed.” Hook laughs. “Don’t worry, lass. They’ll be occupied for a while yet. We should have decent sailing.”
My insides cringe at the sight of all the glowing green goo in the water. Gross. This right here is how I know for a fact Neverland isn’t all in my head. Because never, not once, could I have made up kraken splooge turning the ocean a ghastly biohazard green as I sail around it and hope it doesn’t touch the ship.
Shiner bends over and puts her hands on her knees. “I think … I think I’m going to need another one of those pills.”
I nod. “You and me both.”
ChapterTwelve
“Are you sure there’s a village out there?” Even with a full moon, I can’t make out anything that looks like a village on the shore.
“I’m certain, lass.” Hook rows steadily toward the beach as Starkey, Widow, and Shiner trail along behind us in the second boat. The others wait on the Jolly Roger. They’ll have to take turns in the row boats. “Look down in the water.”
I lean over the side of the boat and gasp at the luminous pearls and gems that dot the ocean floor. “They’re so pretty.”
“The fae value them greatly, but to take one is a sin. We don’t disturb them.”
“Ari had these.”
“She’s queen of the mermaids and can do as she likes in her ocean, but the rest of us know better than to touch fae treasure.”
“Did you know about her and Wraith?” I ask.
He nods. “Theirs is a sad story, but it happened so long ago that I’ve forgotten most of it. That’s the way it is with Neverland. Stories layered on top of each other until you don’t know who’s a hero and who’s a villain.”
“Maybe someone can be both.” I give him a pointed look.
He scoffs. “I’m all villain, lass. You’ll find that out as soon as the Spinner fixes you up.” The salacious glint in his eye is so damn sexy. What am I going to do with him?
The rowboat glides into the sand, and Hook jumps out and hoists me above the surf, carrying me to the dry beach.
When he puts me on my feet, I look around, still trying to make out a village, still failing.
“Where is it?” Starkey calls as his rowboat lands beside ours.
“Right? I can’t see a thing.” I shrug.
“Let’s go.” Hook takes my hand and leads me up the gentle slope beneath a few palm trees. The terrain turns greener at an impossibly quick pace, and before we’ve even gone ten steps, there’s moss beneath our feet and trees towering overhead.
“How?” I gaze around as buildings come into view, their architecture soaring and airy. “This must be some serious magic.”
“It is.” He leads me forward until we’re walking along a cobblestone street with glowing green moss along the sides.
The fairy village is beautiful but silent. I don’t even hear the murmur of bugs or the call of wild things from the forest. It’s … dead.
A wide arch crosses over the pathway ahead of us, and flowery vines curl around it and hang down in a perfumed curtain. Statues stand at either side of it—children with butterflies in their hair. And beyond is a grand fountain with a mermaid atop it, though the water no longer flows. It’s as quiet as the rest of the buildings here.
