Dark One's Daughter *Book Three*

Nasty Habits

After returning to the camp with Tink, Emma created a small map of Pan's lair (using Tink's descriptions) and began to show us the plan.

"This is where they're keeping Henry. Pan's compound," Emma began, using a stick to point at the top right corner of the map. "According to, uh..."

"Tinkerbell," Tink reminded her.

"Yeah, I know. Still weird to say," Emma commented, making me smile at her awkwardness at meeting another 'fairy tale character'.

"Tink is fine," Tink suggested.

"Not sure that's any better," Emma muttered before shaking it off and pointing back at the map. "Anyway, she says that there are sentries positioned across the front." Emma tapped the front of the map. "Which is why we are gonna come in through the back entrance here." She pointed to the back of the map. "She's gonna talk her way in. Once she makes sure the coast is clear, then we are going to sneak on in."

"You'll still have to deal with any lost boys once you're inside," Tink reminded us.

"I think we can handle a few children with pointy sticks," Regina countered.

"It's not the sticks you need to worry about. It's the poison they're dipped in," Tink said.

"Dreamshade," I said, absentmindedly. "Jones warned us."

"Good. Because one nick, and you'll spend the last of—" Tink began, but David cut her off.

"Poison sticks equal death. We got it," David said, standing up suddenly, making me wonder what had got him so agitated. "Now when can we put this rescue mission into action?"

"I'm ready to go, just as soon as you tell me the exit plan," Tink said, making the rest of us all exchange nervous looks. Tink noticed this and looked at us shocked. "You do have an escape plan, don't you?"

"It—it was more of a last-minute sort of trip," I answered awkwardly.

"If you don't have a way off this island, then none of this matters," Tink said.

"We'll figure it out," Regina assured her, standing up from her log.

"You'll figure it out?" Tink repeated, doubtfully. "No one comes or goes from this place unless he allows it. This is a waste of time."

"Hey, when it comes to family, we always find a way," David said.

"You don't get it. Here. Let me show you something," Tink muttered before taking out a watch from her pocket. "You know what this is?"

"Yeah, a watch," Emma replied.

"I got it from the people who brought you son here for Pan," Tink said, getting everyone's full attention.

"Greg and Tamara? Where are they? Why'd they give you that?" Emma asked, quickly walking over to her.

"I got it off the girl's body. Spent half the night cleaning the blood off it. And the other guy... well, there wasn't enough left of him to find anything useful," Tink told us, and beside me I saw a small smirk rest on Regina's face. "This is what Pan does to people he employs. What do you think he's gonna do to you? I'm not sticking my neck on Pan's chopping block without a way off this island. When you figure that out, you know where I live."

Tink then walked past us all and walked away.

"Where the hell is she going?" Mary Margaret asked.

"I'll get her, bring her back," David offered.

"Don't. She's right," Emma said, making David stop walking. "If there's one thing I've learned, you never break in somewhere unless you know the way out."