Page 48 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

“I’ve told you what you’ve asked for but instead of a secret, tell me a story,” I ask him. “Just like when we were younger.” The sliver of pasts we’ve revealed was more than enough for tonight. I didn’t want to live in the past anymore. I wanted to escape to a different world. One where I was already safe and happy and where the darkness and what it held inside it could not reach me.

“You told me something obscure with plenty of holes. But don’t worry, I love a good, cloaked mystery.”

I should’ve known better than to believe Hook wouldn’t see past my little story and read between the lines. I just hope he doesn’t take this any further.

But from the savage look he gives me; I can tell it’s far from over.

“A story?” Warmth bleeds into his eyes as he glances at me.

I nod. “Just like old times.” That’s what he wanted wasn’t it? For us to be like we were before.

A glint of laughter fills his eyes as he looks up at the sky once more. “Once upon a time, there was a little Fae named Tink. She lived on a magical island hidden from everyone and loved nothing more than a good ole adventure—”

“Anactualstory.” I reach over and smack his arm, making him chuckle.

“But you haven’t heard the best part. The part where a dashing young lad named Hook, sneaks in under the cover of night and steals her away.”

“Hook!” I snap. He chuckles again and it lights up his entire face making me pause my next attack.

“Fine,” he says, his eyes still sparkling with laughter.“Once upon a time…”

CHAPTER13

A coupleof weeks pass with Hook becoming fixated on something he’s working on. So much so that I barely see him most days. It makes me think that the small talk we had in the forest was all in my head.

If not for our nightly visits as he charges my bracelet, I don’t think I’d see him at all.

I should really think of it as a bonus, not having him around so much anymore. But surprisingly, I don’t.

I glance around the room at all the books and new items in here. I only had to mention something, and it would be delivered to the room within hours.

I guess it was Hook’s way of helping me adjust to this Realm. But he should know better than anyone that I didn’t really need any of it.

I will try to watch what I say from now on just in case he adds it to my ever-growing pile of things.

The last few sleepless nights catch up on me as I get up and stretch my tired body.

Sleep still slips through my grasp with nightmare after nightmare coming in waves. Even though the room is large, the ceiling and walls still close in around me forcing me to my spot outside in the forest.

Though every morning, I magically appear back in my bed. Waking up as the sun flares through my open window, telling me the day is already half gone.

Today is a bit earlier than usual with the sun only starting to rise.

My body groans as I head into the shower, my mind only focusing on my new little addiction.

Coffee.

After a quick shower, I drag my body out and get dressed, quickly realizing that coffee is the only thing keeping me awake at this stage.

There has to be some secret magic in it. Something no one is willing to share with me.

I asked Cash about it once, and instead of letting me in on the secret, he just laughed and laughed before walking away. But there’s just no other way a drink could give you so much energy. After a few minutes of practically inhaling it, I feel like myself again and no longer like the walking dead.

I’m halfway to the kitchen when I hear Hook and Ryland’s voices.

Ryland usually keeps to himself but every now and again he’ll sit in the kitchen with me and have some breakfast. He doesn’t utter a single word most times, but he somehow knows that I don’t want to be alone and keeps me company.

I edge closer to the voices on my tippy toes and try to make out what they’re saying.

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