Questions swirled around in her head as Maggie’s eyes drifted to his lips. The King of Neverland loomed closer, his touch warm against her spine. The walls of the small room began to cave in and fade away. There were only the two of them, and Maggie felt no fear with him.
The door Grimsby left through creaked open.
Maggie lurched away from Peter, the nerves returning within an instant.
Out from the shadows came a hunched goblin. Deeply green skin that was littered with wrinkles and callouses peaked out from beneath a plethora of rags. Most of the goblin’s skin was carefully covered or bandaged, with only a scrawny face available to truly see. Aged and narrowed eyes stared back at them. Though the goblin was obviously old, there was something about his eyes that gave off the aura of power. Perhaps he was covered in rags and hunched over with a large lump in his back, but Maggie had no doubt that the creature in front of them was not one to scoff at. She straightened as the goblin approached the table, taking a seat beside them with a ragged exhale.
“Grimsby tells me that you look for a carved copper eye,” the goblin spoke.
Maggie leaned forward, her eyes wide. “Your English is remarkable!”
Behind her, Peter tugged at her sleeve, his laugh muffled by the palm of his hand.
“I’ve been alive longer than this island,” the goblin snapped, his sharp voice raising with every word. Luckily for them, he only looked slightly annoyed. “My English is the least remarkable thing about me!”
Maggie leaned back in her seat, her heart hammering in an unusual way. Peter looked to be rather laid back in front of their guest, but Maggie couldn’t even pretend to be relaxed. Something about the air shifted the moment the goblin enteredthe room. It was as if the oxygen had been replaced by something else. It was recognizable, almost. Like a forgotten memory.
The goblin took a moment to settle in his seat, moving past her comment. He had a bright eye focused intensely on Maggie. It only made the feeling grow within her, showing itself in a tremble along her fingers.
Peter leaned forward. “Wearelooking for a copper eye, Mr…?”
The goblin eyed him warily. “Reader. Call me Mr. Reader.”
“Well,Mr. Reader,” Peter corrected, smiling though there was a twinkle of uncertainty in his eye, “Grimsby brought us to you after hearing what we were looking for.”
“Those are quite rare, you know,” Mr. Reader murmured, hands resting just below his bottom lip. “And rather tedious to make. They can only be completed after a few years of work.” The goblin paused, his stare boring into Maggie. “Luckily for you, I happen to be in possession of one. One that I am willing to trade.”
Peter clapped. “Delightful!” Reaching behind him, he retrieved the bag he had been carrying. After pulling at the clasps, Peter stuck one arm in, and retrieved a sheathed blade. It was a short dagger, one with an ornate handle that was studded with a plethora of expensive jewels.
“I have a few things collected off Captain Hook’s ship,” Peter explained after pulling out a few golden trinkets, including a stopwatch. The ticking filled up the small room as he smirked beneath Maggie’s stare. “We picked a few things on our way out,” he sheepishly added.
The goblin still had his eye set on Maggie.
Peter cleared his throat. Reaching into the bag another time, he retrieved a small wooden case. It looked simple enough, until he popped the latch and let the lid fall open. Within was ashimmering piece of steel, long and full of complicated runes. The thing was as beautiful as it was dangerous – though Maggie had never seen it before, the aura around it told her everything she needed to know. It was entirely off limits.
“This once belonged to a great Wizard,” Peter explained, his eyes wide as he extended it toward the goblin. “A wand capable of doing indescribable things. I’ve been saving it for a special occasion. I’m willing to part with it if…if…”
Peter followed Mr. Reader’s stare.
His steely gaze never once left Maggie’s face.
“Ahem.” Maggie cleared her throat and fidgeted around, scooting slightly closer to Peter’s side.
What is the big idea?She wanted to shout at the goblin, to wave in front of his face and to demand to know why he insisted on making her so uncomfortable. But the confrontation sounded impossible, so she squirmed and frowned instead, avoiding his gaze at all times. The goblin looked as if he saw more than just Maggie’s face, as if he was more than a reader of words, but also a reader of souls.
“Mr. Reader,” Peter exclaimed. “I’ve got an ancient tome, one that I know someone of your expertise would enjoy.” He reached into his bag another time, but the enthusiasm was quickly draining. The goblin didn’t even flinch at his words. By the time Peter had the book laid out in front of the goblin, Peter was just as disinterested as he was.
“Hey,” Peter snapped, impatience finally slipping out for once. “What’s the big idea?”
“There is one thing I will trade a carved copper eye for,” Mr. Reader cooed.
Peter straightened, a smile twitching across his face.
The goblin leaned toward Maggie. “A memory.”
Maggie opened her mouth but was quickly silenced by the creature’s raised hand.
“One of hers, in particular,” Mr. Reader continued.
