A Land of Never and Night by Lily Archer

Author:Lily Archer [Archer, Lily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lily Archer
Published: 2022-06-25T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Eleven

There were, however, many adventures which she knew to be true because she was in them herself …

“Fucking hell, Geo!” Coy shouts as he shoves me behind him.

The Lost Boy from the Nevertree steps out of the shadowy woods, several other men at his back.

“Didn’t expect to see you out here tonight. What’s going on?” His gaze moves to me and stays there. “And with the little Darling, no less.”

“Weren’t you supposed to be patrolling the Bayou Bog?” Coy stays in front of me so I have to peek around to get a look at all the Lost Boys gathered around us. At least a dozen.

“Patrolled it. Nothing there except some snakes and a few pirate bones.”

Yuck.

An uncomfortable silence falls between the men, and I can’t quite figure out why there’s animosity between the Lost Boys. They’re all on the same team, after all. Does it have to do with the shadows Geo was asking about when I visited the tree with Peter?

The standoff continues, both Coy and Geo coiled and ready to strike.

“We’re, uh …” Tootles breaks the silence. “We’re headed to town.”

Coy shoots him an irritated look.

Geo snorts. “Town, eh? I reckon we can accompany you. We’re not doing anything, are we lads?”

The men shake their heads.

“No. You have your patrol orders. Get to it.”

“No sharing then?” Geo grins, his eyes still on me. “Peter keeping it all for himself and his favorites, is he?”

“Did you just refer to me as an ‘it’?” I move from behind Coy.

“Not you. Just a part of you.” Geo glances down my body and steps closer.

Bastard. “I ought to slap that scraggly beard off your stupid face.” I am definitely suffering from caffeine withdrawal.

Geo’s nostrils flare. “Come and try—”

“Geo!” Coy’s voice is so deep and loud that I jump. “Back the fuck up and get back to patrol duty. We’re done here.”

Geo hesitates, as if he’s considering his alternatives (and, based on the look on his face, those alternatives would be violent), then turns and lets out a sharp whistle. His contingent of Lost Boys follows him away through the trees until they disappear in the shadowy depths.

“What the hell is his problem?” My hands are shaking, so I cross my arms and tuck my hands underneath and against my sides.

“He’s an ass. Always has been, if I remember correctly.” Coy turns to me. “You all right?”

“We would’ve protected you, Moira.” Tootles reassures me from behind Coy.

“Geo wouldn’t hurt you,” Nibs says placatingly. “He’s just very … pugnacious.”

“He’s been looking for a scrap lately. With so few Neverians left and the pirates keeping their distance, he’s like a powder keg waiting to go off.” Nibs adjusts his glasses. “Until we can defeat Hook and repair the island’s magic, I’m afraid there isn’t much we can do about it.”

“Pugnacious?” Slightly rolls his eyes. “Nibs, you seriously have to lay off the big words.”

The temperature seems to lower as Coy takes stock of the surroundings. Once satisfied, he motions for our merry little band to continue through the woods.

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