Even so… “I’m sorry. I can’t sell you any. I’m out of dust.”
The witch’s head tilted, her nose wrinkling in an all too familiar motion. “Poor girl, they taught you nothing before they sent you out into this world, did they?”
Fire raced along her cheeks and up to the tips of her ears. They had told her little—far, far too little. She stirred in the seat.
“You can make more dust, my dear. Honestly, I’m surprised you haven’t.” She leaned over the table, her snake flicking its tongue at Tink, way too close for comfort. “Especially with those two delicious men you were with, even though they are pirates… Or maybe you prefer women?”
“I…” Beryl’s wings, she needed out of there. Fast.
The witch fell back in the chair laughing. “Oh, my girl. All you need are happy thoughts, pleasure, enjoyment. Let the world fade away and enjoy yourself.”
Enjoy herself. Right. Like anyone could do that trapped far from home, trying to make it on their own with nothing, then getting abducted by a pirate. She hadsomuch to be happy about.
“Once your wings start to glow, the dust is sure to follow.”
Your wings are glowing, love.Tink sat up straight in the chair as Hook’s words echoed through her mind.
She had glowed. For him. More than once.
“Ah, I see you have some experience in the matter.”
“But I didn’t…” Tink’s wings strained against their bindings. “I still have no dust.”
“How long did the glow last?”
“A moment? Not long.”
“Not long enough for the dust to form.”
She could make pixie dust. No wonder the elders didn’t tell them. If a pixie enjoyed the pleasures of the human world, they could make plenty of dust, use it for themselves, sell it. What havoc that could wreak if humans had more access to dust. A sudden chill stripped the heat from her body. What if the rules weren’t to protect them from humans, but humans from pixies?
The witch’s serpentine smile answered that question better than anyone could. “Opens up a world of possibilities, doesn’t it?” The snake slithered up her arm. “I could train you. Teach you things the elders would never believe possible. Why go back to that sheltered life when you could have the world at your fingertips?”
“I’ll…I’ll think on it.” It was a certainty, though maybe not in the way the witch hoped.
“Do.” She rose. “Executus!”
The shrill call set Tink’s teeth on edge.
Time passed slower than molasses before the shopkeep slipped through the curtains and bowed at the waist.
“See our guest out,” the witch ordered. “And dear, I do hope to see you tomorrow. Try to enjoyallthat Rochland has to offer.” The meaning behind her words was clear. She wanted her dust, immediately.
Tink forced a fake smile to her lips. That was easier said than done. If she could make any dust, it wouldn’t be for the witch.
Chapter 17
Hook
Half a bloody day spent lurking near the royal outpost, and he’d yet to find a good way in. The building itself was easy enough to find—all he had to do was follow the Green Coats. But they’d gotten smarter. There were few windows and many guards posted outside the doors. He’d learned more sipping ale in a nearby pub than watching the building. The guards liked to drink after their shift. Though today, all they’d blabbered on about was their newest romantic conquests—or lack thereof. He’d have to try another tactic tomorrow. The streets had already thinned, and being out alone at night would attract too much notice.
Hook sighed as he pushed open the main door to the inn where they’d stay the night, the Gilded Pearl. The common room bustled with life. The scent of fatty roasted meats wafted over him, setting his mouth to watering. One advantage of land was the varied food, and the cook here was known for it. Even Hook could only handle so much fish stew and stale bread.
“Aye! There he is!” Sage’s familiar voice pulled his attention. She waved.
Half-empty tankards of ale littered the table. He grinned. No surprise there. At least they were all well, though Smee had lost his shirt. Francis stripped off one boot and thumped it on the table.
“Not there, you dimwit!” Sage swatted it onto the floor and scooped dice off the table.
