Page 8 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

He gives me a look full of undisguised fascination. “Are you going to behave?”

I contemplate my next move while ignoring him.

Feigning boredom, I glance at the door to my left and notice a button near the window and wonder if it also releases just like the straps.

With a small plan in mind, I peek a glance at Hook, not missing the light of challenge in his eyes, daring me to try it.

But just like every time before, his hard looks never made me fear him. It only made me want to push him to see how far he’ll go. And he passed my little test each and every time. There was never anything I could do or say that would make him snap.

The only thing that hurt me was when he left Neverland. And even though he’s grown into a ruthless man. One I reallyshouldfear. I don’t. At least not at this moment.

I fear more of what awaits me should I not find a replacement for the ring. I fearthemhunting me and bringing me back to the Fae Realm.

The thought alone pushes me to move quickly.

Giving Hook a mock frown, I finally reply to his unanswered question of behaving.

“Most definitely…” I give him a small nod, forcing my expression to seem more deflated than hopeful as I inch a hand along the chair toward the door.

But as soon as I find that little button, I allow my triumph smile to show, right before I press it.

“…not.” Turning, I quickly make a move toward the door and open it. But within seconds Hook has it pulled shut and straps me in once more.

Multiple clicks sound out around the machine, and I watch the little button disappear.

I deflate as my eyes collide with Hook’s as he sits back and silently stares at me. A swirl of grey storms and silver lightning try to draw me in once more. But this time I’m no longer willing to fall for his games.

“You’ve had your fun. But no matter what you try, you won’t escape me.” His cocky attitude drops, if only for a moment, revealing a flicker of pain.

“Not this time,” he whispers, and when that flicker of pain quickly disappears, it’s replaced by something far more savage.

I open my mouth, about to tell him where he and his idiotic, possessive ways can go, when a click sounds out and the front door opens.

Hook’s friend from the brawl gets into one of the front seats, quickly shutting his door with a click, and effectively cutting off any ideas of escaping the same way. He twists around to look at Hook.

“Where to Boss?”

Hook drags his eyes from me to look at his friend, a cocky smirk sliding across his face as if nothing happened.

“Head home, Cash. It’s time Tink sees how avillaintruly lives.”

CHAPTER3

The machinebeneath me moves faster than any boat I’ve been on and is far smoother in motion too.

I glance out the windows as dark buildings disappear along the long road to reveal an eerie forest. It encases us on both sides, closing over us as we move through it, making the already dark night seem even darker.

Small red eyes peer from deep within it, making me shiver. I glance away from the ominous forest and down to my left hand where my finger sits bare, only a small mark from where the ring once was.

What am I going to do now?Apart from trying to escape my newest captor, I need to find another way to stay hidden. And the only way I know how to do that is to find another witch. One that can do the type of magic a Darling witch can.

The only good thing to come out of the last three years stuck on Neverland with Peter and his form ofgames, was finding out I had another option to stay hidden.

And although Neverland appeared when I needed it the most, I found out that a Darling witch could give me freedom in a way I never thought was possible.

They were able to perform spells powerful enough to mask my presence. Just like Neverland did.

And even though I never planned to leave Neverland, Peter’s demand to covet what he would never have, forced my hand in the matter.

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