I ignore the tingle in my chest at the words I need you echoing in my mind. “You’re not leaving me behind. Pickpocket, you have to be the voice of reason here,” I object.
“Better get this door unlocked again,” Pickpocket says without looking at me. He struggles with the lock before it gives a distinct click. Opening the door, he peeks through the gap. He clears his throat. “The coast is clear,” he says, sliding the cabinet open.
Lily glances at me, grimaces, marches up to us, and paces. The bent metal chain on the pocket watch clinks with every stride. “Gwen is right. You would be outnumbered at least twofold even if the Lost Boys were capable of fighting for themselves. You’re going to need our help. It is unreasonable to believe that the Professor and a few Lost Boys can take on an entire army of Marauders and lead the escape of … how many Lost Boys did you say?” she asks, halting in place.
“A little more than a hundred,” Pete says.
Lily shakes her head. “Her Majesty’s train was meant only for her, her family, and her personal guards. Two dozen at most. The train will not hold all of the Lost Boys. It was constructed with a single car intended for a quick escape. They’d have to hunker down here too long. They’ll surely be caught. We will have to find another way to get everyone out of Everland,” she says, pacing again.
“Blast!” Pete says, kicking the steel door.
“Wait! What if … ?” I waver, thinking of the numerous things that could go wrong. Biting down on my lip, I weigh the pros and cons. It’ll be risky, but it’ll ensure that everyone escapes. Everyone … but me.
“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.