Page 23 of Veiled in Stars and Silver
“Aye, mine.”
Her jaw clenched and Hook was certain she’d refuse, but she unstrapped his saber and handed it over. She watched as he carefully strapped it on. He unsheathed it, and he caught how quickly her fingers closed around the handle of a knife in response.
Acting as if he hadn’t seen her movement, he turned and sliced through the overgrowth.
“So why didn’t Peter send everyone else he controls to kill you?” she asked.
“That’s the rub, Wendy Darling. Those whom he controls can’t kill me. I’m protected from him, and from anyone under his power. Which is why he sent you. Someone who already hated me.”
She cast him a dirty look. “You kidnapped my brothers.”
“No doubt he wanted to use your anger to convince you to kill me. And then, after you did your part, he’d take over your mind as well. And he’d be back in total control, the inhabitants forced to play out his twisted daydreams for eternity.”
A downed tree blocked their path. Sword in hand, he scaled it before dropping to the jungle floor. He stuck the blade into the ground and held out his palm to Wendy.
“And yes,” he added softly, meeting her defiant gaze. “It was Pan that made me kidnap your brothers.”
“Why?” The question came out harsh and demanding.
“I don’t know, lass. When he’s in your mind, you can’t fight him.” A barely controlled fury burned behind his words. “You do whatever he wants. He forced me into your brothers’ room that night. I brought them to my ship and then came wonderful old savior Peter Pan and his Lost Boys. He compelled me to watch while they heroically slaughtered five of my men. Good men. Innocent men. And took your brothers off to live with them in their hideout and they’ve been there ever since. At least, until you arrived.”
He noted how her lips pressed and the distrust etched on her face. She climbed over the log without his aid. When she landed, she gave him a challenging glance. Hook shrugged and retrieved his sword.
She frowned. “You’re saying that the man I killed—”
“Aaron Devonshire. He had no control over what he said or did. It was Pan. Designed to give you the thrill of the adventure.”
He slashed through the greenery with a deadly slice, picturing attacking Pan.
Glancing back, he saw her swallow, looking more disturbed than ever. “That is quite the story. I don’t suppose you have any proof?”
Like he had time to run around gathering proof. He spun, and she rammed right into his unmoving form. He stared down at her, irritation lending a coldness to his voice. “You question now, but when Pan decides you are no longer of use to him, he’ll control your mind, too. And then you’ll know, but it will be too late. You’ll simply be another one of his pretty little pawns.”
For the first time, uncertainty entered her face. He wondered if he was scaring her. Good. She should be scared.
She stood close. So close Hook smelled the sea on her. She was like the untamed rolling waves that tossed his ship about. Had she been so wild and free when she’d been here last? He hadn’t really known her then, so he couldn’t be sure. But clearly, the passing years had changed her. Part of him wished she’d never come here. Pan wasn’t the only one using her as a pawn.
Wendy’s brothers were the key to controlling her. Once Hook “rescued” them, he planned on capitalizing on that. He’d leave nothing to chance.
She would retrieve the Dagger of Forgotten Souls for him. And he’d use it. All of Neverland would be at his mercy.
Wendy was a mere step in his plans, and he’d use her to his advantage.
A twig snapped.
He grabbed her, shoving his hand over her mouth and pulling her down into the brush. He looked around, alert. His rough, calloused palm pushed against her lips. Shit, they were soft and warm. But he refused to let that distract him. Wendy twisted, finally able to reach up and jerk his hand from her mouth.
“Stop doing that,” she hissed.
His grip on her loosened. “Sorry, love. Despite my immunity, knowing everyone on the island would kill me if they had the chance makes me a tad jumpy. Stay here, I’ll check it out.”
She pulled awaybut stayed low. “I want to come.”
“Can you move silently within an overgrown area, hiding your scent from detection while keeping an eye out for potential enemies?”
“Can you?”
He held in a chuckle. “Probably not.” He tapped his chest where the stone hung beneath his shirt. “But I’ve got this.”
