Talise stands and saunters to the exit, her tight pants and top hugging each generous curve she has to offer. She twists back and flashes us a coy smile. That girl won’t be needing to bring anything to trade. Anyone, male or female, will give her what she wants.
“Wait up, Talise,” Marin calls and scurries after her.
Una scoffs. “Derya, can you go check out the storage for trade possibilities? My feminine wiles are feeling a tad off today.”
I break into a hard laugh as Derya stands and chuckles to herself, walking to the storage.
“Oh, Una,” I sigh, shaking my head. “Okay. I’m outta here.”
Una eyes me. She knows where I’m going, and who I’ll be with.
“Be careful, Arya,” she says. “Don’t give your heart away too easily. It’s dangerous.”
“I gave my heart away a lifetime ago.”
“I know.” Una stands and walks over to where Derya fumbles in a box for potential trades.
A lump forms in my throat and I swallow it down about what she says.
♦ ♦ ♦
James stands across the deck, browsing at a junk vendor’s table, unaware of my presence. He looks over the wares and chats with the seller, laughing at what must have been some joke. The sight of his tall frame and muscular shoulders make my breath hitch. Why can’t tonight last forever?
I walk toward him and slide my palm over his back. My fingers tingle from the touch. James turns my way and a smile lights up his face like the sunrise illuminating the morning sky.
“Right on time,” he says.
“Did you find us somewhere to eat?”
James nods goodbye to the seller and grabs my hands. “I did, and I think you’ll love it.”
With that, he pulls me to the stairs leading below. We descend two flights and walk down a corridor, bringing us to plain white door that looks like a sleeping cabin.
“Why are we here?” I ask.
“You’ll see. Smeid was kind enough to do me a favor.” James opens the door, revealing a suite with a soft couch and a metal folding table in the corner. A large sliding window leads to a narrow deck outside. Off to the right is a closed door that I’d guess is the sleeping quarters.
Why are we here?
“This is Smeid’s. He told me we could use it.”
My neck instantly grows hot. “For what?” I squeak.
“For dinner. He had his cook prepare us a meal. Someone should be bringing it up soon.” James gives me a perplexed expression, then grins. “Why? Did you think this was something else?”
My eyes grow wide, and the heat on my neck pours over my chest.
A knock sounds at the door behind us, causes me to jump. I turn back to James, who’s still smiling.
“I invited you here for dinner. And there it is.”
My body relaxes as he gestures me toward the deck. I slide the window back while James walks to the cabin’s door. Out on the deck is a small table covered with a cloth and flanked by two chairs. Two sets of silverware with cloth napkins next to them set on the tabletop. I let out a long breath as James opens the door and drags a cart into the room. He wheels it over and stops it alongside our table, then pushes the little brake on the back wheel.
Several covered plates sit on the tray. James lifts off the cover of the two largest ones, revealing light-colored meat and a side of sea vegetables. I won’t ask about the meat. That’s incredibly difficult to get and I may or may not want to know what it is.
The savory aroma of the meal hits my nose and instantly makes my stomach growl. I’d forgotten how hungry I was. James picks up a plate and places it in front of me, setting the other at his seat before taking it.
“I hope you enjoy it.”
I sit and pick up my fork, not that I’m all that accustomed to using silverware, and stab one of the vegetables. The Sisters and I eat a lot of ration packs; much easier to store, perfect for trading, and no cooking required.
I bring the bite into my mouth and a deliciously rich brine floods over my taste buds. Yeah, ration packs will never be the same. I dig into the rest, and find that everything is amazing, each morsel better than the last.
“Smeid has a great cook,” I say between bites.
“Seems like Smeid has developed a rather rich taste over the years,” James replies. “He’s still a good guy, though. After I left you, I went below to speak with him alone.”
“So you trust him?”
James sets his fork alongside his plate. “With my life.”
Stuffing myself, I finish every bite on my plate and look over to see if James has any left, but find his plate disappointingly empty. Not that I'm still hungry.
“You have room for dessert?”
Dessert? My aching stomach says no, but my taste buds say yes.
Not pausing for me to answer, James pushes back in his chair and stretches over to the cart, uncovering a saucer holding two cookies.
My breath hitches. “Chocolate chip?”
James shakes his head, smiling. “I know you loved those. They’re so hard to locate these days but, like I said, Smeid has expensive taste.”
“And he let you have them?”
James chuckles. “He’d only let go of two.”
I reach for the cookies and offer one to James. As he takes it, his fingers brush mine sending energy through my body. I draw my eyes to his, and it’s as if he’s meeting me with his soul. I lay my cookie down in front of me and walk around the table to his side. He’s staring up at me, cookie in hand.
My heart thrums my chest as I approach him. Before changing my mind, which I doubt I would anyway, I climb onto his lap and slip my arms around his neck. Without a word, my lips are on his and I’m kissing him. And kissing him. I’ve played this moment in my mind a million times. Probably two million, based on how much the Sisters say I talk in my sleep.
His warm, soft lips part and melt against mine. He glides his palm to the small of my back, pulling me close to his chest, as if we’ve never been apart.
Let’s never be apart again, OK?
At some point, I come up for air and realize he’s somehow still clutching the cookie. I pluck it from him and drop it on the table.
“We can have cookies later.”
Chapter 18
Peter
“I’ll catch up with you later,” Ethan shouts to me as he runs into the bustling center of the trading post’s deck. I wave after him. Ethan’s a good guy. Not once did he turn his back on me. I don’t deserve it, but I’ll take it. Friends are hard to find nowadays. Everyone’s having some downtime or taking in the sights before we set sail tomorrow, but I can’t get my thoughts off what’s to come. Who knows if Lily’s still alive or not, and now Nerissa has Tug.
The cool breeze hits my cheeks and the brine of misty seawater enters my nose. Being up so high on this massive, decommissioned craft enhances the scent as the air swirls. I make my way over to the deck railing near the port side of the outpost. Resting my forearms on the rusty metal, I squint out over the NeverSea. Below, the ocean churns and crashes against the outer hull. The vessel is so large that the drag of the ocean has limited effect on it.
She’s out there. Lily has to be alive. If not, I don’t know what I’m going to do if I survive what’s to come tomorrow.
A familiar buzz flutters past my head and I look around as fast as I can until I spot her. Tink hovers just a few feet away, swaying from right to left as she stabilizes her flying. Her eyes have a soft pink glow to them. She missed me. A smile fills my face as I grab her and bring her in close. A digital coo emits from her core and her eyes fade to a deep blue hue. It’s just programming, but the emotional LEDs in her optics tell me everything I need to know about her state.
“I’m so sorry,” I say to her. “I thought you were lost at sea. I looked for you, but you were gone.”
She pulls back, folding her little arms. The mechanical digits on her tiny hands grasp her limbs as her eyes turn an intense red. The coo is replaced
by a vibrating huff.
“Don’t be mad. We’re back together now, and I won’t lose you again.”
Her stance relaxes. The angry red haze is replaced by a content green as she zips to my shoulder and sits, holding onto my shirt for balance. She might have a custom AI, but she’s programmed to forgive me. She’s a whole lot less complicated than people, and I’m immensely grateful for that.
“Come on,” I say. “I’m tired. Let’s hope the cabin Smeid gave me has a bed.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Whack-whack-whack rattles the metal hatch of my tiny sleeping quarters.
“Pan, get up!” Cyrus snarls from outside. “Mateo wants us on the Tiger Lily.”
“What, no room service?” I grunt. “Tell your dad to relax while I get dressed.”
“Jerk,” he mutters before his retreating footsteps fade.
Tink zips to the door and engages the plasma cannon on her forearm. She points it at the exit.
“Whoa girl, whoa!” I raise my hand out to her. “Let’s save that for Nerissa.”
Her weapon retracts into her arm and she buzzes over and sits on the metal shelf near the bed.
It’s nice to have a fresh change of clothes. Smeid reluctantly allowed us to dig through one of the vendors toss-away boxes. In one, I found a forest-green tank top. It’s a bit more fitted than I’m used to, but it’s cleanish and there’s no holes. The waterproof pants I’ve been wearing are an improvement over anything I could find, and I get the feeling I’m gonna need them.
Tink buzzes ahead of me as we pound up the dark stairwell leading to the deck. I squint against the glaring sunlight as we emerge. Vendors are just starting to set up their booths and tents for the day, but the outpost is as quiet as I’ve ever heard it. A cool breeze lifts up from the ocean surface. It feels nice now, but the sun will consume it in an hour or so; the calm before the storm.
“You got that settlement drone working, I see,” I hear James say just behind me.
I turn to see Arya trailing him a step or two as they walk up to me.
“This is not a settlement drone … anymore,” I say, turning to see Tink’s eyes glow red. “It’s alright, girl.” I tap the crown of her head, coaxing her back into an at-ease state. Turning back to them, my curiosity peaks. I look at James and grin. “What’cha do last night?”
“Dinner. What did you do last night?” Arya answers, as calm as can be.
“Oh, come on! You kids are all grown up now. Dinner’s boring.”
“Shut up, Peter,” Arya snarls.
“You’ll never grow up, will you Pan?” James snaps.
“Well, growing up is no fun, so, no.”
Whatever happened is none of my business—I guess—but Arya’s basically my kid sister, and I want her safe. James knows he would be in serious trouble if he did. At least he’d better know.
I walk with them to the dock ladders. Glancing over the rails, I find Mateo pacing the deck of the Tiger Lily, his arms folded. The entire crew is there except the three of us. Even Smeid and Jukes are propped up against one of the ship's cannons, waiting to get this meeting started.
I gesture for James and Arya to go to the ladder. They don’t hesitate and climb down. Once they reach the dock below, I lift off the outpost and coast above them to the ship. Tink zigzags behind me. I gently land on the deck before James and Arya climb up the vessel’s ladder.
Mateo doesn’t waste a minute. He storms up to me with a scowl on his face. “We’ve been waiting for you.” His brows furrow. “You three got us into this mess and now you’re going to force us to wait around for you?”
“Relax already,” I insist, glaring at Cyrus. “No one told me what time we were meeting.”
“Come on, Mateo,” Cyrus pleads. “He’s no good for us. I don’t care how special he thinks he is, it’s not worth it.”
“If you were a real leader, you would’ve been the first one out here,” Mateo snarls at me.
My blood boils and my muscles tighten. “And how are you such a great leader, Mateo? What have the Lost Boys done since I’ve been gone? Let’s see. You’ve roamed the NeverSea, scavenging and basically starving, and you made a rock outcropping surrounded by junk your home. You stand for nothing now! Great job. We stood for something when I was in charge. If it wasn’t for Nerissa, we would still all be on Neverland. You should want that back, too.”
“Shut up, Pan. At least I’ve kept us all alive. You almost destroyed us.”
I lift from the deck and glide up to Mateo, stopping inches from his face. “You’re not alive, you’re just dying too slowly to notice.”
Cyrus rushes at me, lunging to attack. I don’t even turn to him, just extend my arm, grasping his neck. I maintain my balance and anger tightens my grip as he swats at my forearms, desperately pleading me to let him go.
“Peter, please!” Arya shouts, rushing to me. “Put him down!”
I release Cyrus, keeping my scowl directed at Mateo.
“You’re still just a punk,” Mateo hisses at me.
“You know what … no.” I rise up over the Tiger Lily, just high enough so I can see everyone.
The worry on Arya’s face grows as I pull away from her. “Peter,” she calls frantically, stretching up to me.
“Losing Lily destroyed me, I get that,” I shout. “I should’ve never put you all in danger, but when Nerissa took our Neverland, she took more than Lily from me.” Tink soars up to be at my side. “She tortured me and Arya as kids, then she stole our home from us. I lost the love of my life, and now she has Tug. You can hate me all you want, I don’t care. With or without you, I will destroy her and make this right.”
Ethan separates from the crowd and stands before everyone. “Life, after you all kicked Peter out, has not gotten any better. We used to have a purpose. We used to strive for more. Now all we do is fight each other and avoid the Syndicate. I’m kind of over that. If anyone can get Tug back, it’s Peter. Sorry, Mateo, but we need our leader back.”
Mateo glares at Ethan. “What are you saying, Ethan? I protected you—all of you. We’re not talking about this anymore.”
Wendi weaves her way through some of the boys and steps into the opening. “You two fighting is not helping anyone. Ethan has a point. I didn’t join the Lost Boys for the disgusting smells and crude banter. I joined because of Peter. He made my life tolerable. Even with his issues, it was better when he was around.”
The crowd stirs, and mutters escalate. Smeid stands next to Jukes and a few of his crew. He grins at me as if he’s enjoying the show. Arya pinches her lips in concern, but she’s not stepping in this time. I wasn’t expecting this confrontation. I’m just sick of Mateo’s attitude toward me.
“I’ve had enough of this!” Mateo shouts. “I’m in charge, and that’s that!”
“Let's vote,” I insist. “I didn’t come here to take over the Lost Boys again, but this isn’t working, and I think we all know that.”
“We’re not putting anything to a vote. I’m in charge. Get over yourself.”
“We’ve always voted on stuff,” Ethan says to Mateo. “This is not a dictatorship.”
“Yup, we vote,” Wendi says, her arms folded firmly across her chest.
I glide back to the Tiger Lily’s deck and land just feet from Mateo. He scowls at me. I shrug, not saying a word. Tink lowers herself onto my shoulder, her eyes black. She means business.
“Get this nonsense over with,” Smeid calls. “We should move.”
“If you want Mateo to remain your leader, raise your hand,” I say, scanning the crowd, searching for the Lost Boys.
“This is stupid,” Cyrus scoffs, raising his hand.
Riley comes up to Cyrus’s side and raises his hand while looking at Mateo. He has nothing else to add.
Elijah, stands nestled in the middle of Una and Talise. He shifts his sights between Mateo and I, confusion etched on his face. Elijah has never liked conflict, so this has to be hard for him. With Tug not here, Elijah’s vote will d
ecide this.
“It’s OK, E,” I say softly. “Just vote how you feel.”
A few seconds pass before he shakes his head. He’s not voting for Mateo.
I’m back. I have my family back.
“This is wrong,” Mateo snarls. “You’re all making a mistake.”
I shift to Mateo, softening my face as the angst fades. “You’re still a big part of the Lost Boys. Understand that we still need you, man.”
“Whatever. I’m done here,” he snaps, storming off. He stops at the door to the captain’s quarters of the Tiger Lily and turns to me. “You’re not commanding me. You can have your precious ship back, but I’m taking the Atlas. It’s superior in a battle anyway. After today, I’m leaving.”
Just like that, I’m the captain of the Tiger Lily, leading the Lost Boys to once again retake Neverland, and, hopefully, find my sweet Lily.
It doesn’t take long for the fleet to be prepped to sail. Smeid is bringing his best crew to man his two boats. Jukes will man the helm of the smaller vessel as Smeid captains the heavily armed warship. With the Tiger Lily and Atlas alongside the Scylla, and now with the additions of Smeid’s vessels, our chances are a lot better.
Arya decides to lead her sisters on the Scylla. James wants to go with her, but with Tug gone, we need him on the Tiger Lily. James has more insight on the Syndicate then all of us put together. He joins Wendi, Ethan, and me. Riley, Cyrus, and a reluctant Elijah go with Mateo on the Atlas.
After a quick breakfast, we launch, following Smeid’s warship. He refuses to give us Neverland’s coordinates. He doesn’t trust me or the Lost Boys.
“James, keep us to the port side of Smeid,” I instruct. “I don’t trust him. We need to keep an eye on him, so stay in close.”
“Alright,” James confirms, adjusting our course at the helm.
Not knowing what to expect, I had Wendi and Ethan take position in the cockpits of the deck cannons as soon as we set sail. I can’t help but glance at the radar every few seconds. Smeid said we have at least a couple hours before we reach Neverland’s newest location, but there’s no way we’re just going to coast up to it. Something is out there. I can feel it.
NeverSea: Echoes of the Lost (Book One) Page 12