Everland(72)

“You have an idea, Gwen?” Doc presses.

“It might be a crazy suggestion, but what about Hook’s zeppelins?” I ask.

“Yes!” Lily says excitedly. “The Jolly Roger is sitting at the far end of the royal gardens along with the rest of his fleet. His ship is certainly large enough to accommodate your group.”

“Won’t there be soldiers protecting it?” Mole asks, wringing his hands.

Pickpocket pulls his revolver from its holster and spins the chamber, checking to see if it is full. “Oh, we’ll take care of them.”

Pete places both of his palms on my cheeks and plants a wet kiss on my forehead. “You’re brilliant, Gwen Darling!” Pete exclaims. My face grows warm, but no one else seems uncomfortable about his public display of affection.

“If Hook’s intentions are to leave tonight, more than likely his men will be preparing the zeppelins for departure. That would be the optimal time to rescue the Lost Boys. They will be in the holding cells constructed within the ballroom. That’s where they took me when I was captured,” Lily says.

“We’ll head there straightaway,” Pete says.

“I’m going after my mother,” I say, placing my hands on the hilts of my daggers. “Can you get me into the courtyard?” I ask Lily.

Lily’s gaze flits from me to Pete and back. “Yes, but it could be dangerous. I have no idea how many soldiers will be accompanying Hook.”

“I don’t care,” I say. “I’m the one Hook wants. He won’t hurt me—he needs me alive.”

Doc regards me for a moment. “You’re up to something, aren’t you. What’s your plan?”

I shake my head. If they knew, they’d never agree to let me go. I turn to Lily. “When can we leave?”

“No, Gwen, it’s too risky,” Pete says, worry creasing his forehead.

I face him, unblinking. “I am not leaving Everland without my family.”

Pete steps toward me, his stare holding mine. “I promised to get your family back to you unharmed. You’ve held up your end of the bargain and helped Bella; now it’s my turn to hold up mine.”

I fold my arms, indignant and attempting to be unmoved by his show of regard.

“Technically, you already held up your end of the bargain. You helped get Joanna back,” I say, raising my brows. “It wasn’t your fault she refused to come with us. My mother and brother were never part of the deal.”

“I’ll go with her,” Bella says, joining me on my right and wrapping her gloved fingers in mine. I wait for her to wince, expecting the sores on her hand to send shooting pain through her, but she only smiles.

Bella has already risked her life for me once. This time, I cannot guarantee her safety. I start to object, shaking my head in protest, but Bella’s warning expression forces me to reconsider. If I deny her, she’ll follow me anyway. As stubborn as she is, I make a silent vow to get her to safety the first chance I get, or die trying.

“There’s a tunnel entrance not far from the Jolly Roger. It won’t be easy, but it will give us access to the palace courtyard,” Lily says. She glances down at Bella. “I think with Bella’s help we can get you in there. Once you have your family, we’ll leave Everland … for good.”

Suddenly, the weight of jealousy slips as I am filled with gratitude.

“Perfect!” I say with feigned enthusiasm, knowing my feet will never board the zeppelin. “You boys search for the holding cells. When you find the Lost Boys, meet Lily at the Jolly Roger. She may need Pickpocket’s help to jimmy the lock.”

Pickpocket replaces the revolver in his holster and laces his fingers, cracking every knuckle. “Piece of cake.”

Pete shakes his head. “I don’t like it. I won’t let you face Hook without me.”

“Pete’s right,” Doc says. “One of us should go with you.”

“I’ll be fine,” I say. I turn to Pete. “You be careful. And don’t get caught.”

Pete takes both of my hands in his. He hesitates, gazing into my eyes, and for a moment I’m certain he’s going to kiss me. My pulse beats wildly and my breath quickens. I don’t know if my racing heartbeat is because of anticipation or fright. The pause seems to last forever, and just when I’m sure his lips are going to touch mine, he gives me a playful nudge.

“You and I, we’re Lost Kids. Neither of us will be caught,” he says, staring at his boots.

My heart shrinks and I feel my smile slip.

A hand rests on my shoulder. I turn to see Doc’s resigned expression. “Be careful,” he says, patting me on the shoulder.

Trying to shake my disappointment, I wrap my arms around Doc’s neck. “Thank you for helping me save Joanna,” I whisper into his ear. I feel the muscles in his face pull up into a smile against my cheek before he releases me.

“It’s my pleasure,” Doc says. “Saving people, it’s what I do, and I will always be there when you need me.”

I release him, grateful for his offer. I’ve grown fond of Doc and feel indebted to him for his help. I know I’ll never be able to repay him or any of the Lost Boys.

“We should get going,” I say.

Bella follows Lily as Pickpocket, Doc, and Mole step through the opening and into the lab. I start to turn, but Pete grabs my elbow and pulls me into a bear hug.