He hated betraying Blackbeard and the ladies of the Dead Woods, but he saw no other way to save his mother, and get what he truly wanted.

“I will do as you ask,” he said.

“That’s a good boy,” Lucinda said. “We will tell you where to find the magic you need to get to Never Land once you are finished with your business in London.” And then with peals of laughter she disappeared from the magic mirror.

James felt a cold shiver penetrate his body again. He wondered if this was how everyone who dealt with the Odd Sisters felt, and then he remembered what Blackbeard had said. And he thought perhaps he was just afraid because he was one step closer to realizing his dream.

Chapter XI

The Odd Sisters were right; many years had passed since James was in London last. The woman who sold violets on the corner was much older, and some of the shops had changed, but the little shop in Eaton Square he had visited before he ventured to the Many Kingdoms was still there. When he entered the shop the little brass bell above the door jingled, alerting the shopkeeper. While he was a great deal older now, no longer the young man James had met when he bought his first pirate clothes, he still recognized him.

“Good evening, sir,” the shopkeeper said as he came out from behind the curtain. “What may I help you with?”

“Thank you, good man. I have several things I would like to sell,” said James, opening the box. Inside were a jade brooch, jade earrings, and the Book of Fairy Tales. And at the last moment he decided he’d try to sell the golden boot buckles as well, having slipped them in the box before leaving for the shop. He had left the mirror and iron clock back at the ship locked in his desk, and had the key on a strap of leather he wore around his neck.

“These are very fine, sir,” said the shopkeeper, eyeing the treasures. “I’d love nothing more than to buy them, but they are a bit too dear for me,” he said, frowning.

“Would it help to know these were plundered by a great pirate, and were brought here from a distant magical land?” asked James. “I’ll bet that would spark the imaginations of the lords and ladies who frequent your little shop looking for curiosities.” He could see the gears in the shopkeeper’s mind turn. James could see why the man would be hesitant to buy so many expensive items at once, to have so much of his money tied up in his stock, but James needed to do everything he could to make sure he got the money he needed to help his mother. So he did what he did best. He talked.