Unshadowing Pan

Lies

For a split second, I looked and met Emma's eyes. I only needed to nod once before I flung myself at Pan. I gasped as my body collided with his. He was stronger than he appeared, but I somehow managed to get him off his feet. I didn't even have time to think as I felt every limb of mine continuously hit the ground beneath me. We both tumbled down a hill coming to a stop, allowing Henry's family to escape. I looked back up from where we fell just to make sure they were gone. If that wasn't enough to convince them I was on their side I don't know what will.

 I felt a sharp pain shoot up my shoulder and my head spin until I found myself on the ground once more. One of Pan's hands was holding me down by my wrist and the other on my shoulder. 

My vision was blurred. I blinked a couple of times until Pan's face came into focus. 

"You and your silly little games," he seethed with his angered expression. 

I groaned under his hold and wiggled around to move away. He only held me tighter.

Finally, I met his eyes. My body went limp, accepting my fate. Whatever Pan had planned to do with me I asked for it. I knew better than to cross him and I didn't hesitate to do so. Henry had people who loved him and needed him, I wasn't sure for myself if I did. Whatever punishment Pan had in store for me, I would take it without a single protest.  I did the right thing. I gave Henry's family a chance to escape. That was enough. 

"What are you thinking?" He asked me.

I didn't know if I heard him right. I furrowed my brows and parted my lips, unsure of what or how to answer him. His curiosity, even now, confused me. I only looked up at his sea-green eyes, drowning in them. Then, just before I could bite my tongue--

"Why did you lock up Henry's father?" I asked.

What I must have said was wrong, because his once green eyes turned a dark shade filled with hatred and evil. His knee took place of his hand which held my wrist, then with the same hand, he held a dagger with a dark vile liquid to my neck. I could only catch a small glimpse of my reflection on the blade. I laid still, knowing better than to react carelessly.

"What is that?" I asked, gulping down my urge to run away. I could feel the taste of metal as I stared down at the liquid.

"You let them escape," he sighed, seemingly disappointed with the need to explain himself. "Everything was going according to my plan until you got in my way, so foolishly. Then you went ahead and released my bait," he growled.

"I just want to know, why Henry? He's just a young kid. What could you possibly want from him? You've been obsessed with him from the start and yet you have everything." 

He flinched at my words. Surprisingly, the hold on his weapon loosened.  "His heart..." He paused, "In order to save my life I need his heart to restore my full power," he explained.

"So what? All this time you've been trying to gain his trust just to kill him? Why not do it now? Why do all this just for the same ending?" 

"I think this is the most I've heard you talk and even now with death grazing your neck, I see no fear. No matter how desperately I try to dig into your soul, I see nothing. Do you know how dangerous that makes you, Aria? But then again, I see something else... an opportunity."

I could feel myself shake with his haunting words. "I'm not doing anything for you."

"Well, you're not in a position to decide that, I'm the one with the dream shade. And I need to live forever." There was a small smile that appeared with what he said. "Allow me to spare your life. Live here. It's not like you have anyone waiting for you. You can't even seem to remember who you are. So what do you have to lose? I can give you anything you want, and in return, I only ask for your loyalty. So what about that Aria? Have I intrigued you?"