“I never wanted anyone to get hurt,” the person before me finally says. “It was never my intention to…”

“You knew what you were doing when you started playing sides,” I sigh in annoyance. “You knew it would eventually come to this.”

He looks up at me, a hesitance still hanging in his eyes.

Leaning forward, I rest my arms on my knees and level him with an intense stare. “We made a deal. What I want, for something you want. You’ve been diligent to bring us information. For that I thank you. But if you turn your back on us now, if you try and take back a promise you made…”

“Fools make promises in the heat of passion.”

“Lucky for me, it was never about passion between us. Only sex. Sex you’ve paid for, like a good servant. Up until now. So, cut the bullshit because I’m tired of the damn back and forth. You’re either with us, or against us. I’m taking back this island. Even if I have to kill Peter in the process.”

Leaning back in my seat, I watch as his eyes fill with hatred. His jaw clenches in rage. “He’s the only friend I’ve ever known. I’ve changed my mind, I don’t want…”

“Do you always stab your friends in the back?” I hiss. “If that’s the case, seems to me I’ve been smart to watch mine since the first night you came to me, begging, offering anything in exchange for a night in my bed. For a chance to rule Neverland instead of him.”

“I was young…”

“So was Peter. So was Wendy. Now look at the mess they’ve made of things. No fucking excuses.”

“I don’t want Wendy to die.”

A wicked smile pulls across my face. “Who said anything about death? I’m only talking about taking away both their reasons for breathing.”

“I don’t want to be the reason Peter suffers.”

“Why?” I snap. “They’ve made the rest of us suffer. They’ve danced around in their own little world, playing make-believe while they interrupt the rest of our lives. They’re so consumed. So smitten. They’re so fucking intoxicated with each other it makes me sick. I warned her once. She mocks me by staying. I ruled this island before her, before him. It’s time I take it back.”

“You’d kill the one you say you love,” he steps forward, courage and loyalty painting his features, as he begins to yell in madness, “all because he couldn’t help but fall in love with a girl who gives him something you can’t?”

“Something I can’t!” I boom.