Playing In Pan's Game

Chapter 17

Ace's POV

"Acelina!" I heard Hook yell. It was almost dark out, he had been in his quarters for a long time with Hugh. What if Hugh had told him his suspicions? What if Hook believed him?

I walked towards the door that led to his quarters. As I was almost there, Hugh stepped out of the room. His eyes landed on me and he stared as I walked past him and through the door.

Hook sat at his desk, his finger tracing a route on his map. He seemed completely fixated on the map and only the map, I wasn't sure if he'd seen me enter at all.

"Acelina, I need you to do something important for me tonight," he said finally, giving up on the map and leaning back in the chair. He twisted his hook with his hand, staring at me.

"What do you need?" I asked, not having a clue where this conversation was going. Hopefully nowhere bad anytime soon.

"I need you to go find Peter and deliver a message. I would send one of my men, but you know him best."

My eyes widened in surprise. He was sending me to go see Peter? He must've totally dismissed everything Hugh had to say, unless Hugh didn't say it at all. My luck was seriously running out.

"Why the bloody hell would I ever go back there?!" I exclaimed. "Send Tobias or somebody, anyone but me!" Of course I wanted to see Peter, but I needed to do whatever was possible to keep myself safe.

"Tobias wouldn't come back. Maybe I'm misplacing my trust but I feel like you would," he said calmly.

I took a deep breath, beginning to pace back and forth. "I do not think I can do this, what am I supposed to say? To do?"

"I want you to tell him that I'm waiting. I'm waiting for him to come and fight me, once and for all. Tell him if he keeps me waiting too long, though, he'll have Tobias' head at his door."

My breath hitched. Tobias. So Hook did plan on killing him eventually. "Why would Pan care? You killed Harry and he didn't seem to give two shits."

"Of course he pretends not to, you should know that better than anyone. Trust me, he will be effected."

In all honesty, I'm sure Peter would celebrate. He despised Tobias, mainly because he was constantly jealous of our friendship. But Hook didn't know that, and he didn't need to.

"I don't know, Dad, I just-" I stopped. Did I just call him Dad? Was that a slip up, or me being smart with my cover?

Hook seemed surprised as well, his eyes wide. We stood in silence a moment.

"Dad?" he finally asked. I didn't say anything. "Don't be upset, I don't mind it. If you're comfortable with calling me it, that is."

I mentally rolled my eyes. If he ever thought I'd consider him my father then he was definitely drunk. "I don't know if I can do this."

Hook looked at me. "Acelina, there's no doubt in my mind you can do this. You just need to go to him and deliver the message. I know you can do that. Unless you'd rather me send Tiger Lily."

A mix of anger and jealousy boiled inside of me. "No way am I letting you send her. I'll do it."

Hook smiled. "I'm glad we're seeing eye to eye now. The sooner you go the better."

"It's almost nightfall," I said as nervously as possible. "Maybe an hour or so before dark."

"Well then you better hurry," Hook said, motioning towards the door.

I looked at him, then the door, before walking over and exiting the room. I couldn't believe it, I finally had a chance to see Peter! It had only been a day or so, but it felt like years.