Second Star to the Right; Book 3 in Love is Weakness, (Carlos De Vil) Series

Second Star to the Right of What?

"Which way do we go?" Asked Ben to Harry.

"Ye' see up there?" Harry replied, instructing the group to look up towards the blue mass above them.

"The sky...?" Evie stated, in confusion.

"Second star to the right, and straight on til' morning." Harry chuckled.

"Second star to the right of what?" Demanded Carlos, annoyed by the Pirate's lack of sense.

"That's the point. Only those who have been there before--can find it again." Explained Harry, "Follow me, then."

Carlos turned towards the others,

"He does know that it's daytime, right?"

They shrugged, and shook their heads, reluctantly following Harry as instructed.

The group walked far toward the edge of the Isle. It was tedious and the terrain changed from damp concrete to areas of rough and hilly ground. Carlos was mentally ruminating with worry, impatience, and longing.

Why would Raven come back here? Am I not enough for her? Is this my fault? Are the others right? Am I stifling her?

Mal started to almost hear Carlos thinking, his worried and miserable expression also didn't help to hide any of his emotions.

"Hey, Nerd! Your thoughts are too loud." She piped up, half-teasing.

"That sounds like something Raven would say." Replied Carlos, with a sad chuckle.

"I know. She said that to me once when I was struggling in Auradon. I liked how she said it." Explained Mal."She has her own way of making you understand that behind that wall she keeps up and all that attitude--she really sees people."

"It seems like you know her better than you thought." Said Carlos.

"I just wish I'd told her that." Muttered Mal, guiltily.

"This isn't your fault, Mal. It's mine. I was so wrapped up in "us" that I didn't realize I was holding her back." Carlos admitted.

"You're just...in love. I get not wanting anything or anyone to get in the way of it. It's not like we got a lot of that when we were kids." Mal replied, understanding.

"You know something, Witch? When you say things like that...you almost sound like you care." Joked Carlos.

"Don't tell anyone." She warned, jokingly. "Because, I'll lie."

"Eh, you're a shitty liar anyway." Carlos scoffed.

Mal chortled and shoved Carlos, causing him to stumble and return with his own smug laugh.

The group suddenly came to halt a few feet in front of them.

"Ah, finally! Here we are, mates." Announced Harry.

"Where do we look first?" Asked Evie.

"We take this path to the Neverwood. E' lives there." Explained Harry, looking uncomfortable. "I'm certain e's found her by now."

"You really hate him, don't you?" Surmised Ben.

"Ye' all will too." Warned Harry, ominously,  "And lads, e' will try to collect ye'. Ye' can't fall for his promises."

"Collect us?" Paroted Gil.

"To rebuild his Lost Boys." Clarified Carlos, in disgust.

"Very good, wee pup." Harry complimented, condescendingly.

"But, we're not kids anymore." Argued Jay.

"E' won't care. Pan is desperate, ye' see? E' needs to have a group of followers that e' can control, it's like a sickness. What e' fears most is being left alone, of being abandoned and forgotten." Explained Harry.

"Then why did he cast out Raven?" Asked Evie.

"Well, she's a lass, isn't she?" Harry began to explain, "It disappointed him when she was born. Girls, to him, are unpredictable, they have natural power. They can consume the hearts of men and boys, and seduce their souls--and possibly lead them away from Pan. E' fears their power and ability to create life and to form bonds, in a way that e' never could. Shayla outgrew her usefulness when her power waned, and e' saw her only as a threat."

"Wow. You really do know a lot about her." Commented Mal.

"Yeah...well, I was involved with the Pans for a long time." Harry sighed.

"You loved her, didn't you?" Asked Ben, making Carlos shift a little.

"Ah...love. That's a weakness ye' know. It's more like we were partners in crime, we rebelled together. And, she took care of my needs." Quipped Harry, now looking at Carlos.

"You kept her under your control. It wasn't exactly--you and her against the world!" Carlos spat.

"Ye' would know nothing about that...would ye'?" Challenged Harry

"What's that supposed to mean?" Demanded Carlos.

"I know my Shayla, and she cannot be contained. She would however, run away if she felt trapped... " Drawled Harry.

"Like when her arm was almost amputated by a hook?" Carlos countered.

The rest of the group looked concerned and confused, they knew very little about Raven and Hook's past.

"That was an accident!" Growled Harry, finallly losing his sly composure.

"Bullshit!" Shouted Carlos, his blood starting to boil, "You couldn't handle that she was leaving you, so you attacked her!"

Harry was now close to Carlos' face, whispering so only he could hear him.

"Maybe she learned the error of her ways. And, perhaps she missed the satisfaction that only a true villain can provide." Harry whispered, with an evil glint in his eyes.

That did it.

Carlos threw his body weight into Harry, pushing him hard and knocking him off his feet.

Ben wedged himself between them to break up the squabble. Gil was holding back a struggling Carlos.

Harry stood up laughing at his attacker.

"So sensitive." Taunted Harry, receiving the reaction he had hoped for.

"Watch your Hades damned mouth! Don't test me, Hook!" Shouted Carlos, in warning.

"Hey guys? As fun as this is, will you cut it out?" Ordered Mal, "This male ego crap, is over. We're here to find Raven."

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