Hook & Jill (The Hook & Jill Saga) (36 page)

“So I would! But I’ll tame her.”

Jill lost her smile and clenched her hands behind her back. The men arranged all round the deck stirred, murmuring disapproval.

“All by yourself, boy? Where are your new friends, the Indians? Not enough fairy dust to bring them along, too?”

Peter’s comfy stance went rigid. “You forced my boys to talk, then.” He unfolded his arms and balled his fists. “I saw your bloody flag. What have you done to them?”

“Why, they are right here, Pan. I haven’t harmed them in any way. Don’t you recognize them?” With his hook, he gestured toward the two pirates at his sides. His sword point still played at the lady’s throat.

Peter squinted down at Nibs the Knife and Tom Tootles, and he laughed. “You don’t fool me! They’re no boys of mine. Those are your own men.” A chortle arose from the pirates.

Hook smiled in satisfaction and waited for silence. “Exactly.” He watched the grin slide from Peter’s face. “But I’ll send them up to you. With your famous charm you may win them back.” He jerked his head and the two young men pushed off the deck to fly up to Peter’s perch.

Peter drew his dagger as Nibs and Tom grabbed at ropes and settled on either side of him. Nibs adapted to the yards as easily as he used to light in the trees, but Tom’s bulk set the rigging to swaying. Peter kept his footing with no trouble and looked up at first one, then the other. His brows drew together as recognition dawned. “I still say you’re no boys of mine! You’re pirates now. I won’t waste my time trying to take you two back after all.” He looked to the lady. “I’ve got better things to do.”

With twice his customary respect, Nibs called, “What are your orders, Captain?” Peter opened his mouth to respond with a command, then his eyebrows rose. He saw that Nibs had swung out and was looking down at Hook.

The rigging rocked and Tom bellowed as he balanced, “Shall we chase him off, Sir, or shall we leave him to die in the croc’s grotto…” His cold stare reproached Peter. “Like our brothers.”

Peter’s face grew defiant. “I told you none of my boys has ever grown up. This is why!” And he hurled himself and his dagger toward Tom. Tom expected it; he hoisted his sword in time to deflect the blade. Peter fell back in the air, then twisted to launch himself at Nibs.

“We’re not children anymore, Pan.” Nibs’ cutlass threatened, and Peter pulled up short at its tip. “We know what you’ve done, and we want none of your make-believe. You’ll never get any of us back.”

Hook’s velvety voice drifted up. “You seem to be all alone, Pan. If you please, Mr. Tootles.”

Tom hovered at Peter’s back. “Captain Hook has fixed it so your last friend won’t help you, either.” Peter spun to face him, then rolled his eyes upward to see where Tom’s blade pointed.

Peter dropped all expression. High in the rigging spread a new sail, swelling in the wind. A green one, stretched uncomfortably. It strained at its moorings as the breeze battered it. Only the tail swung loose, as if the beast still lived and strove to swim away the way it came, on waves of air. The wind carried a hint of the stench still. Peter knew it. What was left of it.

“The crocodile!”

And he smiled. “At least it was loyal to the death.” He aimed a piercing look at Nibs, who returned it.

“If we’d stayed loyal to you, we’d be dead, too.”

The boy’s eyes flashed with pride. “But I gave you a glorious childhood, in Paradise!”

Tom and Nibs looked at each other, and laughed. Tom said, “You did! But now we’re sorry for you, stuck there all by yourself.”

Nibs had recaptured his good humor. “You’ll never know how glorious growing up can be. Ask our mother, she can tell you.” The crewmen slapped their thighs and guffawed.

Hook struck an elegant pose, leaning on his sword. “Excellent point, gentlemen. Take your positions. The lady in question begs to be heard.”

The young sailors abandoned the yardarm and leapt to the deck to stand guard at their captain’s back. Peter wrapped his legs around the mast and slid lower, seeking a better view of his Wendy, but she shook her head at him with that look that warned him to be careful. “Peter!” True to form, he ignored her caution, swooping down to land on the deck three paces from her, and from Hook. Peter shifted his dagger, gripping it in his left hand to rest his right on his sword.

“Don’t worry, Wendy. I’ll set you free.”

“Oh, no, Peter. I’m not the least bit worried. I knew you would come.” Her smile was warm and gracious. She could melt him with it. But her heart was cold. “Now I’ll be able to finish your story.”

“This is the part where I win the
Roger
for you, Wendy!” A lusty laugh blew among the
Roger
’s crew.

Jewel circled down from the crow’s nest to flutter uncertainly behind Peter, watching her two loves. Hook frowned at her, but she remained suspended, pleading with her eyes. Her captain barely shook his head. When she persisted, he curled his lip in irritation. Hanging his sword on his hook, he reached into his inner coat pocket to draw out a vial. “Mr. Nibs. Take charge of this and stand by for further orders.” He tossed it to his sailor. Jewel stiffened and covered her mouth with her hands. Disregarding her, Hook took up his rapier again. “I told you before, Pan. You may call the lady Jill Red-Hand now.”

Peter’s green eyes sparked as he drew his sword. “She’ll always be my Wendy. I’ve come to get her back. Use the hook I gave you to cut her loose— now.”

Jewel’s heart wasn’t big enough yet to admit the Wendy, under any name. Peter’s determination to reclaim the girl jarred her jealous nature, but jealousy wasn’t reason enough to risk her master’s displeasure. Jewel was desperate to inform him of his peril. What should she do? She must risk it. He had to know! Gathering her courage, she pressed her lips together and chimed, loudly.

Peter whirled to find his fairy. Smiling, he grabbed for her. “Tink! You’re just in time!” With her new speed she dodged his hand, then floated almost near enough to touch.

Hook leveled his blue stare at Jewel, menacing. His admonition fell soft and cool, like snow. “If the fairy is wise, she will not interfere.”

Jewel flitted to Peter’s shoulder, her light burning to match the intensity of his face as he watched Hook and Jill. Appealing to her master, Jewel plunged her hand in her pocket, the one that once held poison. Then she pointed to Peter’s blade, violently shaking her head. Hook’s eyes darkened with suspicion, and he studied his sword in Peter’s hand.

Jill eyed the fairy while a note of doubt entered her voice. “I suggest you send her away. She may do something foolish.”

Again Peter opened his mouth to answer, but Hook interjected, “Like sprinkling fairy dust on my lady! But Jill is not bound, Pan. I have already ‘cut her loose,’ as you so eloquently phrase it. Since she can no longer fly, she has chosen to sail— with me, not you, as her captain. I must thank you for making her escape impossible at precisely the critical moment. I do appreciate your assistance. You’ve been so helpful in advancing my plans all along.… You’ve been like a brother to me!”

With a quick intake of breath, Jill drew Peter’s attention, and Jewel’s as well. The sprite who had used to be Tinker Bell perceived that this was no longer the girl she despised. Like the fairy herself, she was mysteriously transformed by her master’s influence, and for the better.

Peter gave the lady an assessing look before he grinned at her. “I see you’ve gotten your share of booty! A new dress, and a nice necklace. What did he make you give him for those? Another kiss?” Jill’s eyes flared. Her shipmates exchanged lewd glances, but didn’t dare further.

Hook clenched his teeth. “Another man would slit your throat for that, Pan. But I will tell you that a woman’s regard cannot be purchased or plundered.
That
precious treasure is earned.”

“And hatred is, too. I challenge you, Hook! To a duel. Winner takes all!”

Jewel jumped from Peter’s shoulder to hang in the air, ringing with alarm. Hook’s eyes remained on Peter. “Calm yourself, Jewel. I won’t have to hurt him— badly.” He smiled. “I’ll leave that to the ladies.” His sword hummed as it whipped up and plunged at Peter. The boy sprang backward, parrying, and leapt up high. Catcalls from the pirates showed their scorn for this tactic. Peter scowled and lowered himself. He dove at Hook, their two blades flashing in the sun just as they had done so long ago, clanging together, beating up sparks of sunshine.

Jill’s face was serene; she set herself against care. Resolute, she smiled as she watched her champion, transfixed by his skill. The fingers of her left hand toyed with her glittering necklace. Once upon a time, someone told her she worried too much. She didn’t worry anymore.

Nibs and Tom backed away to make room for the duelists and stood sentry on either side of Jill. Knowing Peter’s tricks, they held their swords ready. The other pirates kept up their banter, urging their captain on against his longtime adversary.

Fighting with language, too, Hook taunted Peter, “I see you’ve brought me my rapier back. A pity you can’t return my hand as well. But I’ll make do.… Jill has given me hers.” He thrust again to engage Peter’s weapon, parried it, and wheeled, his silver sword belt blazing. The jewels on his fingers flashed as he stopped Peter’s blade and hooked it. Then he stood firm, scratching the razor edge of his claw down its length. Peter gritted his teeth as the jolts rasped against his sword and shuddered through his arm.

Bobbing above him, Jewel shook her head in panic. Did Peter realize his enemy was scraping away the apple’s nectar? The master had gleaned enough potion on his hook to close Peter’s eyes. How much did Peter’s blade retain? More than enough to drop a fairy. And the dagger was fully potent still. Peter wielded it in his left hand as he battled with Hook. He jabbed it at the man now, but the claw had already released him and Hook’s sword pushed the boy away.

Peter couldn’t find another chance to strike Hook’s flesh. He couldn’t reach him. He’d have to knock the sword from Hook’s hand— or slice away the hand holding the sword! “I’ll fetch her hand back from you, Hook!” Brimming with mischief, Peter bounded skyward. He set his feet against the mast and pushed off again, arching back to dive with all the force in his strong young body, hardened by adventure. Swinging the blinding-bright rapier in his scarred right arm, he hollered, and targeted Hook’s last remaining wrist.

Jewel clapped her hands to her eyes, guarding against the glare. But she could still hear. A blade screamed as it cut the air. Her master raised his voice in a peal of rage, and metal met flesh with a horrid, dull smack. One sword clattered to the deck. The pirates exclaimed; Jill gasped.

Then something limp and heavy slapped the boards, and Jill shouted, “No! Not another one!”

Jewel dragged her hands from her face, and gaped. The three figures stood on the blood-smeared deck, their breathing unsteady, their shoulders heaving. Peter posed in his bold posture in front of the master, his face twisted, but his green eyes glowing with expectation. He clenched his tainted dagger in his fist, threatening to stab through the gorgeous fabric of Hook’s coat, aiming for the heart.

Hook’s eyes glowed red. His claw hung poised to rip Peter’s throat. Red-Handed Jill had shoved herself from the mast. In both her hands, she’d caught the captain’s wrist— his left wrist. She held it upraised as if he were wounded. Jill struggled to hold him stationary while the pirates crouched to spring, cold steel raised. Then Jewel saw Hook’s sword blazing above Jill, still gripped firmly in an uninjured hand.

Weak with relief, Jewel spied the second object she’d heard fall. It was not Hook’s last hand after all, but the whip Jill had been hiding behind her back when she leaned against the mast. It now lay curled, potent but dormant— and beyond Jill’s reach.

Jill stared at Peter, thinking fast, then she stopped struggling and looked to Hook. Her face cleared. In a guarded motion, she lowered Hook’s arm, and his sword along with it. She released him. She stepped over Peter’s rapier where it lay harmless on the deck, and the woman placed herself where she had stood so often in her heart: between the boy and the man.

At the mercy of their weapons.

Chapter 28

Taming the Boy

Jill faced Peter with her back toward Hook. The weapons— dagger and claw— hung only inches from the bare skin of her neck. She seized a breath and planted her feet on the boards. Her voice rang clear, and calm as death.

“No. I’ve decided. No more boys will die.”

“Hook will die.” Peter’s empty sword hand throbbed from Hook’s blow as he jerked his head at her. “Move away, so I can finish him.”

“No, Peter. I’m going to finish it. The story of Peter Pan, Wendy, and Captain Hook.”

Hook remained wrathful, his sword at his side and his poisonous claw upheld. “You must back away from him, Jill. Do not trust him!”

“Let’s hear the story,” insisted Peter. “It should be good, now that you really know him!” He smirked, ready to listen, but didn’t relax his stance. Jewel dangled over them, her gaze darting from hazard to hazard.

“All three of them shed blood, and the feud came to an end. Peter Pan took Captain Hook’s hand, Hook slashed Peter’s arm, and Wendy bled at wounds from both of them. That story is done.”

“It can’t be done. No one wins!”

“Everyone wins. We all go on to new adventures.”

“But Hook’s a pirate.” Peter shrugged. “He has to be slain.”

His talk didn’t shock her any more. “I made up the adventures, for you, and for Hook. I’m as black and as bright as either of you.” Her gaze shifted to Peter’s dagger, then back to his face. “I accept the consequences.” Jill stood firm. She had the audacity to smile. “
I’m
a pirate.”

“I’ll change that!” Knife in hand, Peter feinted toward the claw and kicked off from the deck. Hook merely snarled, holding himself in check as the boy rose backward into the air and twisted to grasp at Jewel. Quick as he was, she leapt away quicker, evading capture.

“Tink! Give Wendy some fairy dust!”

Hook had kept his word, allowing Jill to handle Peter in her own way, and Jill breathed more easily. She directed her voice upward. “
Both
Peter Pan and Captain Hook dropped the blood feud.”