Page 4 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

Mortal Realm?I glance around at the dark area, only slightly lit by tall lamps.

“That’s where we are?” I try to think back to what I know of the Mortal Realm. I know a lot of different creatures and beings come here to get away from their own Realms. That it acts as a kind of safe haven for those that no longer wish to return home.

A sliver of relief seeps through me at the thought.

Even after everything that’s happened since coming here, maybe luck was on my side after all.

I glance back up at Hook as he narrows his eyes on me, and I realize that maybe even luck has its limits.

He gives me a hard stare. “You expect me to believe that you just decided to take a little trip to another Realm? The same girl that swore she would never leave Neverland?”

Could… I swore I nevercouldleave Neverland because three years ago, I thought staying there was my only option.

But even though that was no longer the case, the last few months opened my eyes to what I would become if I stayed any longer.

I would become a monster just like Peter. And I promised myself I would never let that happen.

Hook looks at me like he has it all figured out. But he hasn’t got the slightest idea of what I’ve gone through, and I wasn’t about to let him judge me on some decision I made when I thought I didn’t have any other choice.

I would rather jump into a large pit of flames than go back to Neverland. To Peter. After all, Neverland washisnow.

“Things change.” I tell him, swallowing hard while trying to portray a confidence I didn’t feel.

Something flickers in his eyes as he quickly glances behind me before landing back on me, a look more intense and filled with frustration and a hint of pain.

He grits his jaw. “Just like that? Because the Tink I knew would never have gone back on her word. She would have lived and died on that hill long before anyone tried to change her mind.”

She would have. But that was before her safe place became part of her nightmares. Nightmares that slowly came alive to trap her in the never-ending darkness. A place where monsters thrived and lived off her pain and suffering.

That was before she knew that even beautiful smiles and kind eyes hid terrifying monsters that enjoyed being soulless and cruel.

“As I said, things change. People change.” I avoid his eyes as they scan my face, searching for something I hope he never finds.

He gives me a thunderous look. One that makes me take a larger step away from him.

As soon as I do, he stiffens before closing his eyes and breathing out a frustrated breath.

When he opens them, his eyes are less intense, more dulled as he watches me with a feigned indifference.

“For old times’ sake, let’s say I believe that little lie. Then at least tell me why the Hunters singled you out?”

Grateful for the reprieve and switch in topic, my mind plays over his words, wondering what he means.The Hunters?

I frown up at him. “Who?”

“The men who tried to take you?” He raises a single brow and a glimmer of lethal menace seeps into his eyes, reminding me of the Hook I once knew. The one who would go to great lengths for those he cared about.

And even though he’s probably angrier that they escaped rather than the fact that he saved me, the familiarity of that look and him being here makes me feel safer than I have in a long time. It makes me feel bolder and more like the old me.

“I don’t usually stop and ask kidnappers why they choose their victims.” I narrow my eyes on him and a spark of amusement flares to life in his.

“And that little lie would have worked for you, if not for the fact that they headed straight for you as soon as they saw you.” His amusement only grows, along with a grin to match as he waits for a reply.

I shake my head at him. “I don’t know what you expect me to say. I’ve never met them before today.” And I never want to meet them again either. Not if I have my way.

“I find that hard to believe,” he taunts as if trying to get a rise out of me. To challenge me like he always used to. Just so he could play one of his never-ending games.

But I wasn’t in the mood for playing any moregames. Not when the kind I’ve had to live through this last while left my life in the hands of a cruel beast.

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