Page 58 of Caging Darling

Tink’s taken to dunking my face under water every time we meet, pulling my hair back so we get as little of it wet as possible. So there’s no faerie dust in my system.

My heart pounds. I’ve no idea if this will work. When Peter first told me about wraiths, he said they were rare. But they mustbe more easily made in Neverland, because this island is full of them.

He has to be here. He will be here.

“Hello,” I say, but my voice comes out trembling so much that it’s barely audible over the wind. I clear my throat and speak with more authority this time. “Hello.”

Nothing.

“Sir…” I realize I don’t know his name. “I know you’re here,” I say. “I felt it…your agony when you died. And I know it wasn’t simply from dying. You came here to save your sons. But one was already dead when you arrived. The other—you died having failed to rescue him.”

“Because of you,” snaps a voice. I spin around so quickly Michael almost trips.

The wraith stands before me, the ocean a backdrop behind him. He’s taller, leaner than Victor. I can’t see his black hair, but for the briefest moment I recall it reminding me of his son.

I should have made the connection. How many would still be alive now if I had?

“You sound like him,” I say. “Rather, he sounds like you.”

“Nature, not nurture, I’m afraid,” says the wraith.

“They took you away from your children,” I say. “If I remember correctly, it was because of a debt you’d taken out to feed them. Life…life was cruel to you.”

“Death wasn’t so amiable either,” he says, and his sarcasm is so like Victor’s, it makes my heart ache.

“I am truly sorry for that,” I say. It comes out so monotone, it sounds as if I don’t mean it, though I do, with all my heart.

“Well, now that you’ve apologized, I’m sure we can put all of this behind us.”

A shiver snakes my spine. I squeeze Michael’s hand tighter and instinctively place myself between him and the wraith.Though intellectually I know the wraith has no power to hurt him, I’m not so trusting of my reasoning these days.

The wraith scoffs. “At least you protect your own. That I can respect.”

My cheeks heat with shame. “I’m not so good at that.”

“Then you and I aren’t all that different, are we?”

I shake my head, swallowing. The wind whips my coat open, and I try and fail to button it with my one free hand.

“But that’s why you’re here, ain’t it? To protect him?”

I nod, swallowing. “Amongst others.”

“And is my boy one of them?” My mouth goes dry. I’ve struggled with this every night since discovering John’s killer. It’s been the constant pull between guaranteeing Michael’s safety and attempting to save the Lost Boys as well.

I want to save all of them. But last time I tried that, when I’d told Simon to warn the other Lost Boys we were leaving, I ended up saving no one.

“Until I have your word, I’m afraid I’m of little use to you.”

I nod, crossing my arms. “I’ll keep Victor safe.”

“Hm. Now’s the time I wish I could have you enter into a bargain, but I fear those days are gone with my breath.”

I sigh, squeezing Michael’s hand and my eyes shut at the same time. “Victor’s my friend. I’d want to save him anyway.”

When I open my eyes, the wraith has cocked his head, but without the details of his face, I can’t tell whether he’s mocking me or simply curious.

When he doesn’t respond for a long while, I try again. “Victor took care of Michael while I was…” I’m not sure what word I could possibly find that would be honest. “Otherwise occupied.”

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