Page 51 of Knave

Mouse stared at the black glass, peering over at Ferris who was most likely yelling at her not to do it—but there was no other choice. Don’t drink it and be turned to stone, possibly have her head cut off, or worse—Ferris remain as he was if she refused. She uncapped the vial, letting the sweet aroma caress her nostrils. With prayers that she would live after this, she tossed the contents back. A bright flavor burst along her tongue, delicious, divine, as it slid down her throat. She handed the container back to Tik-Tok, wishing there was more, but the hunger wasn’t there—her appetite filled for the time being. Mouse couldn’t deny that she liked the way it made her feel, that she didn’t have to lose control.

Tin continued to stand, glaring daggers at Tik-Tok but remaining silent. However, his fingers didn’t loosen on his axe as his gaze turned to her.

“I’m Mouse,” she said softly to Tin. “I do indeed find your axe rather pretty.”

“I suppose.” Tin’s voice came out gruff, his brow arched. Tik-Tok side-eyed him while smiling, appearing amused.

“Ferris and I were here in Red to learn how to deal with a threat in another part of Wonderland, where I’m from.”

“Would this threat happen to be a flying vicious beast?” Tik-Tok drawled.

Mouse gasped. “You know about the Jabberwocky?” How would he know? Was this not their first time in Wonderland? “Have you been here before?”

He shook his head. “No. There used to be a portal in the sea, but decades ago, it vanished. I only recently convinced Tin to open one on land for me. His portal magic can be quite handy when he bothers to use it.”

She wondered if they ever went to the same mortal world. Never once had she seen a fae before … unless they used glamour like in the stories… “We can venture to the mortal world, but our portals have always been here.”

Tik-Tok leaned back on his hands, drawing a knee to his chest, getting comfortable. “Let me tell you a story. I have a sea witch friend who has visions after a good fucking. A crew member of mine has been ravishing her for almost a century and we were told that two lone vampires would be here to assist us. That meansyou.”

Mouse frowned, glancing at Ferris, wishing he was there to give his thoughts. “We found nothing on how to kill the Jabberwocky. Its body is like iron and nothing penetrates it.”

“Damn, you’re vicious. We don’t want tokillhim,” Tik-Tok purred. “Centuries ago, a fae male was cursed by a nasty bitch named Locasta. She was one of the witch rulers in Oz, who was rather good at hiding her deceitfulness before she was slaughtered. I don’t know Pipt’s full backstory, but somehow this male was cursed as a beast and hidden in your world by her.”

Mouse inhaled a sharp breath and mulled over what he’d just confessed, how she’d always wondered where the Jabberwocky had come from, why there had always only been one. The beast wasn’t from Wonderland at all—it—he—was from Oz. A fae male cursed as a beast, one she didn’t know anything about, but if she were to guess, perhaps in his true form he was never vicious at all. “So, do you know if he was ever meant to destroy our world? He’s part of the reason this territory looks like this, and I believe he’s going to end up doing the same to my home.”

“I don’t believe that was the intention,” Tik-Tok started. “A trusted witch knew him and said he was a good male. A bit reckless but good. If he’s destroying your world, he likely doesn’t mean to or can’t control himself anymore.”

Mouse knew what it was like to not be in control of oneself. She may not have been under a curse, but when she’d slaughtered those mortals in the donor building, her hunger had felt like she was. “I’ll help any way I can, but tell me how to cure him.”

Tik-Tok rubbed his hands together. “This is the fun part.It’s simple really. My compass will lead us to his location, then we will need to pour the potion the sea witch provided down his throat.”

Mouse’s lips parted, her eyes widening in horror. “You can’t just waltz up to the Jabberwocky and pour something down his throat. He’ll eat you whole! Are you mad?”

“Sometimes, perhaps.” Tik-Tok’s grin grew wide. “But I think I’ve traveled to other worlds that are more dangerous than this one. If we set a trap, it should be easy enough.”

“If it were that easy, it would’ve been done already,” Mouse huffed. The vampires in Red had tried relentlessly until they’d finally abandoned the territory. “You had centuries to claim him and you didn’t. He’s done so much damage here.” Tears pricked her eyes as she looked at Ferris who could’ve been killed when the Jabberwocky had broken into the palace.

Tin gritted his teeth. “If you tell her the rest, you ass, she would understand more and we’ll be finished here.”

Tik-Tok flicked his hand in the air. “And you’re the one to talk. You’ve been silent almost this whole damn time.” His intense gaze locked on hers once more. “The fae didn’t come sooner because no one knew what Locasta had done with him.” He paused, flexing his fingers. “This would’ve been much easier if North was here. She’s Tin’s daughter, my North Star, but he’s the only one who can open land portals. You see, she’s with child, our first child, and she’s been bedridden. The sea witch needs Pipt to return for her own purpose. If we bring him back to her, she’ll give us a concoction to heal North.” It was the first break in his cocky expression. He tightened his gold fist, his eyes glassy for a moment.

Mouse blinked, her chest tightening. They were both doing this for love. Tik-Tok’s lover and Tin’s daughter. She knew that feeling, would do anything for Ferris if circumstances arose. “We’ll do everything we can.”

“You still didn’t answer how you came across a fae dagger,” he said, his smirk returning.

“When we were searching the palace, we found a secret room with ancient relics. I suppose they are all from your world.”

“Interesting.” Tik-Tok rubbed at his chin. “We should have a look in there.”

“Fuck that.” Tin frowned. “We’re here for one purpose.”

“It is quite a bloody mess after we encountered an ancient there and most of the things are now broken anyway.” She held up a finger. “But before I go any further with helping, you will break the spell on Ferris now.”

“That’s fair,” Tik-Tok said. Just as he lifted his hand and the stone unfurled from Ferris’s flesh, a boisterous screech broke out in the distance.

The Jabberwocky.

Chapter Twenty-Three

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