Page 16 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

“Ah yes. You’ll try totinkeryour way out. But you’re forgetting one thing...” He steps closer, forcing me to step back. This only makes his smile widen.

“This isn’t Neverland where you can make some makeshift home or use that skill of yours to create something that will fix all of your problems. You’re in the Mortal Realm now. Not only do we have magic here, but we also have advanced technology.”

“I’ll adapt. I always do.”

Hook leans in once again, but I stand my ground and narrow my eyes at the soft smile on his face.

“Something I’ve always admired about you.” He releases a harsh breath before straightening up.

“But it’s dangerous in this Realm and you’re too naïve to see it.”

A sharp laugh falls from my lips and his body grows stiff. “What are you trying to tell me, Hook? Because by that idiotic reasoning, it makes it sound as if you think you’re saving me somehow? Bykidnappingme?”

Hook opens his mouth to reply but pauses, leveling a glare on something behind me before raising his hand. A small object that glints across my vision flies into his palm.

Hook ignores the glare I send him while he inspects the item. I open my mouth to tell him where he can go with his foolish reasoning when a familiar voice calls out.

“He went straight for the Gallery. Just like you said he would.” Cash walks into the room holding a young man about the same age as him by his collar.

Cash smiles down at him but this time there’s nothing friendly about it. And for the first time since coming here, I start to realize just how much trouble I am in.

The man’s eyes widen as they jump from Cash to Hook. “Wha—What?”

Hook casts him a brief look. “Did you really think you slipped onto this island so easily? And without being spotted?”

The man’s eyes widen in shock. “I…”

Hook gives the man a twisted smile. One more cruel and savage than Cash’s. It only hinted at the true monster hidden beneath.

“Nothinghappens in my home without my knowledge.Nothing. Should anyone make it past my defenses, it’s because I allowed them to do so.” He gives me a pointed look before focusing on the man once more. “Nothing more.”

The man gulps. “But… why?”

“The why should be obvious. You have something I need.” Hook inspects the item once more.

The man gulps as his face turns ashen. “What could I—”

“Information.” Hook’s eyes narrow to slits. “Three nights ago, there was an attack on Trell House, and a very priceless relic was taken.”

“I never—”

Hook gives him a sharp look. One that silences him immediately. “There was a thief there that same night. One who simply…vanishedinto thin air.”

“I never took it. I swear.” The man shakes his head as he begins to sweat profusely.

“No, but you saw who did. Tell me who you saw, and I won’t gut you right here.” The threat of death falls from his lips like it’s an everyday occurrence.

“I didn’t see—”

Hook gives the man a vicious look. One I would not want to be on the receiving end of.

The man takes a minute to collect himself, his gaze jumping around the room before he forces out a reply. “There were men. A group of them. All dressed in black with the Eternal star woven into a patch on the front of them. They—”

“The Eternal what?” Hook’s tone is as sharp as a blade, his gaze cutting as he narrows his eyes on him.

The man looks nervously from Hook to Cash. “The Eternal Star… It’s a star shape with the eternal symbol woven through it.”

Hook shares a look with Cash before glancing back at the man. “Did you see where these men went?”

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