Unhooked

by Lisa Maxwell

“ . . . for now,” Pan finishes. “They’ve done nothing to you,” the Captain says. His muscles are rigid against my body, and I couldn’t escape if I wanted to. “They mean nothing to you.” “But they mean everything to you, Captain, don’t they? And I think you’ll do most anything to protect them.” Pan’s face turns serious then. His crystalline eyes go stormy. “Give me the girl, and I’ll let them live, including this one,” he says, nodding to Will. “You won’t be so lucky, of course, but then, you’ve nowhere to run. Nowhere to go. Save your boys or watch them die, but either way, the girl will be mine.” “If I give you the girl, you’ll assure their safety?” the Captain asks. I struggle against his grip, trying to wriggle free. There’s no way I want to go back with Pan, not with the way he’s looking at me, all anger and anticipation lighting his eyes. “Of course,” Pan says. “I’ve no reason to harm them, so long as they renounce their loyalty to you, of course.” “And Will, you’ll ensure his life as well?” “No!” Will says, writhing against Pan’s grip. “It’s not worth it, Cap’n. I’m not worth it.” “Never doubt that, Will,” the Captain says, and the desperation in his voice chills me.