Page 9 of Devour the Dark

“That’s why you should suggest it.”

I shift on the pillow so I can meet her eyes. There is a lock of hair over her forehead, so I swipe it back, and she arches toward me, always desperate for my touch.

“I would never suggest a party. He knows me better than that.”

She groans again. “Maybe you and Pan can go check on the land while Kas, Bash, and I have a party.”

“You think Pan will allow you to get drunk with the twins? Think again.”

Pan has learned to give up some of his control over our Darling, but there are some things he will never relent on. He’s too possessive to allow her to have too much fun outside of his careful eye.

He’s lost too much to grow complacent. We all have.

“Okay, well then?—”

She’s cut off by a knocking on the front door.

We don’t get many visitors these days. It used to be Lost Girls showing up on our doorstep looking for a good time, but not anymore. Not only do we have the one and only woman we will ever need, but Winnie Darling would gut them for even considering it.

I climb out of bed and pull on pants. Win is up and slipping into her dress a second later.

“Are we expecting anyone?” she asks me.

“Not that I’m aware of.”

Winnie follows me down the hall into the loft where the Never Tree is glowing with pixie bugs.

Voices filter up from the foyer.

Kas and Bash are at the front door, shirtless, their wings folded against their backs.

There’s a girl on the stoop. No one I recognize.

“I’m here for Vane,” she tells the twins.

“Sorry,” Bash says. “Vane is occupied.”

“And not interested,” Kas adds.

They start to shut the door, but the girl shoves her foot in, blocking it. She’s quick, brave.

“It’s important,” she insists.

“Doubtful,” Bash says. “Everything of importance is here, under our roof. So if you would kindly fuck off?—”

“It’s about his brother.”

Win and I share a look.

Roc left the island not long after Captain Hook. Pan forbade him from returning. Apparently, my brother tried to kill Pan. Or he helped Pan figure out his true form by killing him. I’m still unclear on the details, and honestly, I don’t really fucking care.

Hand trailing along the banister, I make my way down with Winnie right behind me. The shadow likes it when we stay close. I often use it as an excuse to keep her near.

When I come up behind Kas and Bash, they step aside, revealing the girl in the early evening light.

If I had to place her island, I’d say Winterlander. She has the straight black hair and deep brown eyes of the people who call the Winterland Alps home.

She takes in the sight of me in nothing but pants, starting with my feet, then up to my chest, landing finally on my face.

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