Light in front. To the left. Right is right.
Up and up, higher still.
Hold your breath as you sway and swing.
Follow the eagle into the ground.
In shallow pool, the scale is found.
But only those bound two as one,
Can have the dragon’s gift.”
The witch opened her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. “My, you should have written that down.”
That— Fury rushed under his skin as he slammed the point of his hook into the table.
“A riddle?” Tink gasped.
“That ain’t—” Smee shook his head.
“This isn’t what we agreed,” Hook spat.
“Is it not?” The witch canted her head. “Follow the spirit’s guidance, and it will lead you to what you seek. How else did you expect to find something in a place that no one knows?”
The chair clattered behind him as he stood. “If you lie…” He pointed his hook at her.
“You’ll know where to find me.” She merely shrugged and leaned back in the chair. “But you should know, my magic is always right.” A slow grin stretched her lips. “James.”
His name may as well have been a slap. No one called him that. Not anymore. He’d left it behind, buried it with his mother after the last time he called upon the witch.
No one. Except…
Tink grabbed his arm. “Let’s go.” She tugged him toward the door.
The stiffness in his jaw loosened as he met her determined gaze.Right. No time to lose. They’d get nothing more from this greedy bitch.
He glanced back across the table. “Witch,” he said by way of farewell.
“Captain.”
Hook gestured to Smee, who strode for the curtained entrance without a backward glance. Hook slid his hand into Tink’s and turned to leave as well.
“Oh, Tinker Bell.”
Tink froze, her hand stiffening in his.
“Have you thought about my offer, dear?”
Her offer?His brow furrowed as he stared between the women. Tink had yet to turn to the witch, her eyes wide and wild, pleading with him in silence. A deep flush raced across her cheeks.
A heaviness settled in his chest. “What offer?” he grated.
“Oh my, I am sorry,” the witch said.
Hook nearly snarled. She wasn’t sorry. But she would be.
“You didn’t tell them, dearie?” the witch continued, her surprise as fake as the mask on her face.
