Page 60 of Veiled in Stars and Silver
“Don’t do it.” James stared at me with knowing eyes, even as the Crocodile rubbed her face against his neck, her forked tongue traveled up the length of his throat. “Attacking her will not stop her. She’s too powerful for that.”
My hold tightened on the knife, a burning in my chest, as I considered striking anyway. But if what he said was true…
“Then how about a deal?” I blurted desperately.
The other woman paused, her tongue disappearing between her lips and her expression twisting with interest as she turned to face me. “I’m listening.”
“You know the chances of me freeing Neverland alone aren’t great. I need James with me. Give us two days. If we don’t free this island and its inhabitants from Pan in two days, you can take him.”
“I could take him now.”
“And me. You can take me as well.”
Horror filled James’s face. “No, Wendy—”
The Crocodile held up a hand. “Silence.”
James’s mouth snapped shut, but his expression pleaded with me not to continue.
“Do not tempt me, child. The One-Who-Controls wants him gone, not you. Taking him and leaving you will be enough to get back into their good graces.”
“Why do you keep calling him that?”
“When I came to Neverland, I made a magically binding deal to never speak the name of the One-Who-Controls.” Something meaningful lingered in the Crocodile’s expression.
“And what is your name?”
“What I am known by, and how I am remembered, are two different things. I am nameless. Remember, the One-Who-Controls cannot command others except in the world where they are present.”
“Either world?” I asked, thinking of Neverland and London.
“Either world…”
“What does that mean?”
“Ask Hook about the night your brothers disappeared.”
Iclenched the knives, my nails digging into the soft skin of my palm, hating these word games. “I need you to be more clear.”
“That is all I have to say. Now, name your offer.”
“Two days and you can claim both of us.” Tremors ran through my limbs at what I was offering, but I forced myself to stand firm. “For someone who has been denied sustenance, that must sound awfully good to you.”
“Hmm, indeed it does.” She sauntered over to me.
“If we succeed, Neverland will be released from theOne-Who-Controls’power and you can hunt to your soul’s content.” I beheld the Crocodile’s slow predatory approach, a tightness building in my throat. “But James and I go free. All you have to do is wait two more days.”
She stopped in front of me, looking me over, her face gleaming. “Be aware when you are mine, I shall go no easier on you because you are a woman. I shall have you however I want you.” She drew a nailed finger down my throat, her gaze dipping into the collar of my dress and a hungry smile crossed her lips, sharp teeth flashing. “Well, little Darling?”
James begged me with his eyes to refuse, but there was only one answer.
“It's a deal.”
The Crocodile gripped my left hand in her own. Her skin was sodden and freezing. Foreboding twisted in my gut. Perhaps we needed to shake on it.
I found I couldn’t pull away. The other woman spread my fingers over her palm. Trepidation slid through me as I watched theCrocodile touch each of my fingers, the hunger on her face turning ravenous.
“Then you must pay the price,” the Crocodile said. Her teeth flashed into a wild snarl and she moved inhumanly fast.
