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“As Katherine said, Peter is effectively killing off his Lost Boys as they age past what he deems appropriate. I’m merely trying to help those less fortunate than me.”
“Killing Lost Boys?” she laughed. “He is simply taking them back from where they came.”
“Yes, Princess. But in doing so, he leaves them helpless in a society they cannot survive in. Our realm is not like Neverland. It’s not kind to their youth. And we have reason to believe that he may be slaughtering them as well.”
“So, in lieu of an untimely death, you want my guard to kidnap them and deliver them to your crew?”
“Kidnap is such a harsh word, Princess. I’m simply offering them an alternative to death. As a member of my crew, they can live out the rest of their lives without the weight of Peter's rules.”
“As pirates?” she chuckled.
“Precisely.”
“Under your rule?”
I simply smiled. The irony wasn’t lost on me.
“Peter Pan’s affairs are governed by the Divine. It’s not my place to interfere. I cannot partake in your endeavors.” Her words were curt. “However, I can turn a blind eye. That is... if you can help me.” Her brow raised as a smile crept across her face. “I need a scapegoat. Someone to blame for any… misfortunes I might cause.”
I thought for a moment before responding. “That’s a heavy request, Princess. I’d be more likely to accept your offer if you could sweeten the deal.”
“I’m listening.” She leaned in closer, sitting at the edge of her throne. What was she scheming? It had to be something unsavory to require a scapegoat.
“As you know, Neverland has a way of stealing your memories. I find myself losing touch with my past, and that I cannot make peace with. You are a powerful nymph, a Divine Chosen. Surely you know of a way to stop it.”
Tiger Lily sat for a moment; her eyes focused on the corner of her dais. Her lingering silence crushed any hope I had for a solution.
“There is a way.” The tone of her voice deepened as she stared into my eyes. “It will cause you to remember every moment of your life in great detail. The good and the bad.”
“Yes. That is what I want. To never forget.”
“Forgetting is often a merciful alternative. You should not want to live in the past, Jas. Neverland simply takes that which does not serve you.”
“What serves me is none of your concern, Princess. Just as why you would have need for a scapegoat, is none of mine. Do this for me, and I’ll accept your offer.”
“You will need to be permanently marked with a talisman. Once it’s finished, it cannot be undone.”
“Perfect. That’s exactly what I was hoping for.” Neverland would never be able to dull my hatred for Pan.
Tiger Lily extended her hand. “It appears we have an accord.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Kat asked while the Princess was busy chanting over several bowls of colored ink.
“It’s the only way, Katherine. You’ll not sway my choice.”
“You don’t even know what this ritual entails. Magic always comes at a price. What if?—”
“We will speak of it no more. I have decided.” Katherine was visibly upset, but I simply could not risk losing my memories. We had only been in Neverland for a short time and already the finer details of my past were becoming fuzzy. I never wanted to forget what Peter had done to me. How he destroyed my life and turned me into a madman obsessed with vengeance.
Tiger Lily poured a circle of salt around two pillows on the floor just below her dais and motioned for me to sit in front of her. “Jas, it is time. Remove your shirt and join me in this sacred space. Let us bind your memories.” With the flick of her wrist, candles all around the room ignited, casting us in a warm, flickering glow. She inched closer until our knees touched, gazing intently into my eyes. Tiger Lily reached for my chest, placing her warm palm over my racing heart.
“Are you sure?” she asked one last time. “You should know before we proceed—this will hurt.”
I simply nodded my understanding and focused my thoughts on a future without Pan. Nothing could change my mind.
“Let us begin.” She drew a raven's claw from her belt and reached for my right forearm. “What is this?” Tiger Lily asked, skimming her delicate fingers across the brand Edward had marked me with.
“It’s nothing more than a meaningless scar now. Pay it no mind.”
