Page 57 of Veiled in Stars and Silver
Wonder, Belief, Power released
Stardust rebels.
Stardust condemns.
All Neverland ends.
Chapter 21
Wendy
I huddled with James, high in the sky, above the cover of the clouds. Mists swirled around us, occasionally making my view hazy. Below us, the seas stretched out in all directions. Neverland was only a shoreline in the distance.
After arriving, we had gone to the banks of a river that ran through the island to retrieve the Neverflower we needed to create the right spell. Then James had chanted as he combined the two ingredients in a small hole on the muddy shore, mixed with freshwater from the river. We’d drunk it and transformed into the images of James’s crew members. I had an eyepatch on my right eye, a heavy wide-brimmed hat, and stubble on my jawline. James appeared to have both functional hands, a peg leg, and a nasty scar running across his face.
His arm tightened around me as we floated in the air, staring down at the Jolly Roger. The topside wasn’t very active, meaning most of the pirates must be below deck, but there was a man in the bird’s nest keeping a lookout.
“We’ll need to time this exactly right,” James murmured in my ear. “When they switch the watch and are on the mast, that is the best time. We drop to the water behind the boat, move along the port side. We’ll have about thirty seconds.”
Despite our disguises, I enjoyed being this close to him. Our images were only a mirage. I felt the prick of his hook against my side, reminding me it was the man I’d come to trust. “And then?”
“Then we wait until the aft deck is clear and slip onboard one at a time. And try to blend in.”
“What if Joe and Bill Jukes happen to be nearby?” Those were the names of the men from whom we’d borrowed our current appearances.
“Then we will have to improvise.”
I nodded. “We can fly, they can’t.”
“Aye, as a last resort, abandon the plan. Fly out of sight, out of range.”
I swallowed. After this, Peter would know that we possessed the dagger and the spellbook. I’d have to follow through on my bargain or my brothers would suffer. If I double-crossed Peter—I wanted to choose that so badly—but Peter had been too good at keeping John and Michael hidden from me. Could I risk it? Every part of me desired to, and yet my fear for my brothers kept me from committing.
I took a long breath to steady my nerves. “Once we are on the ship, I head below deck to the third level, where the gunpowder is stored.”
“And I will have a talk with my crew.”
That was the catch. Peter may hope to see James dead, but he wanted the book—which was still hiddenon the ship—and the Dagger of Forgotten Souls more. James had explained to me that destroying the spellbook would destroy Neverland. Peter wouldn’t allow that. This was his home.
We waited a bit longer. I shut my eyes, wondering what it might be like to keep this. To stay with James. But that was never an option. When I found my brothers, I’d have to return to London. They needed to grow up, be properly cared for, and become adults. I didn’t want John and Michael ending up like Peter. Though I wasn’t even sure if that was possible, I wouldn't take that chance.
“There.” James pointed at a man on the deck making his way to the mainmast. “Wait until the man standing in the crow’s nest descends. Then we go.”
That man climbed to the edge of the nest and began to descend the long rope ladder.
“Now.” James released me, and we dropped through the clouds. I followed him to the water. Then he shot off toward the ship, and I raced to catch up. When we came under the protection of the stern, he gripped me and pulled me over to the stairs, settling me above him. “Ladies first, love.”
I inched up the wooden steps. They were damp and cold under my fingers. Carefully, I peeked over the edge onto the deck. Nobody seemed to be about, so I crawled on board and quickly straightened.
“Oi, you there.”
I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. I turned to the approaching man. Long scraggly hair framed his face, and he sneered at me with yellowing teeth. Had he seen me climb onto the Jolly Roger?
He squinted down at me, and I adjusted my stance, hoping I looked semi-piratish.
“Yes, sir?” I dropped my voice to my lowest timbre.
“Ain't you supposed to be below helping with the mess?”
