Page 24 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

Drained? I frown at the bracelet just as the flames in my chest fizzle out and drop like ash to the floor. Just like my entire plan and any hope of choosing a life for myself disappears.

“It needs to be charged.” There’s humor in Hook’s voice, like he’s toying with me. But I don’t care. All I care about is the little piece of information he revealed.

That there’s still a way for this to work.

I glance up at him to find him watching me with a look of intrigue and something else I can’t pinpoint before he suddenly narrows his eyes on me.

“Tell me who you’re running from, and I’ll help you.” The conviction in his voice makes me freeze.

I swallow against the lump forming in my throat. “You would betray me just as easily.” Just likehedid. And I would not make that mistake twice. Not even for him and his heated looks and pretty promises.

“Is that what you think?” He pulls himself up to his full height, his look now guarded.

“Has dear Peter been telling you all about big bad Hook while painting himself to be the hero?” he sneers.

My chest grows tight at the mention of Peter.

“He…” I shake my head, stopping myself. Peter told me many things about Hook, and all were full of horrific tales of bloodshed and cruelty, but I’ve learned not to trust everything Peter told me. And for some reason, Hook doesn’t scare me. Not his dark looks or vicious smiles.

But that doesn’t mean Hook is someone I can trust either.

“It doesn’t matter. I know the only reason I’m here is because there must be something you want from me. For the life of me, I can’t think what it would be. You have everything and the means to buy whatever you don’t have. But Iknowthere’s going to be a catch. So out with it. Tell me what you want so I can be on my way.”

Hook surprisingly loses some of the stiffness in his posture and looks at me silently for a moment. His silent gaze unnerves me, and the longer he stares at me the more I feel as if he can read the secrets beneath my skin. Secrets that need to stay hidden forever.

“You always were too smart for your own good. And you’re right. Thereissomething I want from you. But it looks like there’s something you need from me too.” He turns and walks back over to the desk. Leaning against it, he looks right at me.

“So… how about we make a little deal?”

CHAPTER7

“What kind of deal?”I eye the treacherous man that likes to constantly provoke me with a wary gaze.

“Those Hunters showed up a few months ago out of the blue. And since then, they have caused me and my people nothing but trouble.”

“Hunters?” I frown, already lost on what he was talking about.

Hook smiles at my confusion. “The men dressed in black from the carpark.”

Car…park?He must be talking about that place where the portal opened.

“What do they hunt?” I ask, knowing I’m not going to like the answer.

A savage smirk makes my stomach flip as he replies. “Anything that’s powerful enough, but as of recently, I’ve seen them take a liking toFae.” He gives me a pointed look. “My men have also just confirmed this.”

“Then how would I be able to help you if I’m someone they… hunt?” I frown.

Hook gets up from his leaning position against the desk and moves in front of me. “That’s exactly why I need you.”

But it still makes little sense to me why he wouldneedme. He has men that are stronger and more skilled. And that’s without the magical objects that he has in his possession or the secrets that he has enabling him to move anything with just a thought.

What use could I possibly be to him with those things at his disposal?

“If you help me with this, then I’ll not only let you keep that bracelet, but I’ll also help you find a more permanent solution. One that won’t ever drain.”

“Why would I want to keep a useless bracelet?” Unless he lied to me, and it’s not actually drained. I narrow my eyes on him and his eyes light up.

“Because I have a way to…chargeit.”

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