Page 47 of The Never Queen

I don’t think Peter Pan means to be lordly, not now, not ever, but even here where no one knows he’s a star god, it’s impossible for him to hide it. He is a primordial force greater than any mortal can comprehend.

Tad might not understand it, but his instincts immediately pull up and he yanks his hand back, shoving it in the pocket of his jeans. “Anyway, I’m glad you all could come. Winnie was a good friend of mine, and I’m glad it looks like she’s well taken care of. She had a rough go of it for a long time.”

Heat fans up my throat and pools in my cheeks.

It never occurred to me that the people I was friends with noticed my life. I just thought I was a hole to be used for their satisfaction, and I was happy to use them back in order to have some kind of control over something, anything.

Tad catches my eye and lifts the corner of his mouth in a semi-embarrassed smile.

I am realizing how little I knew this boy and how little credit I gave him.

“Darling is well taken care of,” Pan says, his words laced with suggestion.

Tad nods and sips from his beer. “So, you guys planning to stay in town now? In the Victorian? It’s sad seeing that place go empty. It’s got good bones.”

“We’re just here for a few days,” is Pan’s response.

“Ahh. I see. Bummer.”

“Is it?” Vane counters.

“Ummm.” Tad scratches at the back of his head. “Maybe?”

I not-so-discretely elbow Vane in the ribs.Be nice, I say with my eyes and his eyes say,Fuck that.

Tad mumbles something about needing to find more chips and wanders off.

“Maybe this was a mistake,” I say, nursing the Jack and Coke. It’s no margarita, that’s for damn sure.

Bash comes up behind me and winds his arm around my waist, tugging me into his chest. “I like seeing your old life.” He nestles a kiss into the soft curve of my neck and when I laugh, glancing up, I catch Holland staring at me.

I know that look. It’s the look you give someone when they have what you want and you don’t think they deserve it.

22

PETERPAN

The parking lot behind the strip mall runs between stone and water, with a shallow creek burbling north and south down a steep embankment. At two a.m., the lot is empty save for a few wandering cats.

We park behind a bookstore and get out, the night air heavy with mist.

There is something about this I don’t like.

Darling asked me if I trust Kody, but I don’t think one trusts Kody so much as uses him when the need arises and hopes that he will work the way he did the last time he was needed.

He’s the quickest way to the stones, the only thing that can help us when standing against the Witch Killers. We have no choice but to work with Kody and hope he feels the same.

Headlights appear on the south side of the strip mall and slowly approach our spot. I stand at the head of our group, with Darling insulated between us all.

The sleek black car, now outdated by mortal standards, comes to a stop in the middle of the lot. Kody climbs out but keeps the car running.

He’s joined by two other men, neither or which is a gnome. One of them has the red eyes of a Pleasureland fae, the other the look and leer of a pirate.

“You made it!” Kody says as he comes over to me.

“Do you have the stones?” I ask him.

“Sure. Of course.” He waggles his fingers at the pirate and the man pulls a canvas pouch from the pocket of his leather overcoat. Kody opens the bag and upends it over the palm of his hand, letting the stones slide out with a clink. “Give. As requested.”