Peter rises straight into the air, his gaze sweeping the beach and landing on me.
Bill steps in front of me, his axe at the ready. “Come on, you twat,” he growls.
I hold my breath, my entire body taut.
Then Peter takes off toward the mountains, disappearing under the glow of the falling moon.
“Bill.” I reach for him. “Take me to her. Please.”
He scoops me up easily and lumbers over to Tinker Bell.
“Are you all right?” Hook runs to me.
“I’m okay. Tink saved me.”
He takes me from Bill and sits me down next to her.
“Tink?” I take her hand.
“I’m here. And you’re still here too, I see. Dummy,” she says it almost warmly.
“You almost had him.” I squeeze her hand.
“I should’ve known he’d have a trick up his sleeve. He always does.”
“Do you think you can—”
“No.” She sighs, golden blood leaking around the knife in her chest. “I’m done.”
“I’m sorry.” I reach up and stroke her hair.
She lets me.
“I’m so sorry.”
She rolls her eyes. “Come out!”
I shake my head. “What?”
“I said come out!”
A flash of gold appears beside me, and then I see the Spinner, her eyes sad as she surveys Tinker Bell.
“There you are.” Tinker Bell. “Decided to finally stop hiding?”
“You know very well why I hide.” The Spinner shows her fangs.
“Yes, I know what I did.” Tinker Bell’s voice goes soft. “I know what I’ve done.”
“Then why have you called me? You cannot ask me for forgiveness. I will not grant it.”
“Keep your forgiveness.” Tinker Bell kicks her chin up. “I have no need of it. But I do ask one favor.”
The Spinner’s eyebrows rise, but she doesn’t say anything.
“Take my life in exchange for healing this dummy.”
“Dummy?”
