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The group spotted the limo pulling up. The boys jumped out, and Evie's eyes lit up in surprise when she saw who was with them.

"Oh! Lonnie!" Evie exclaimed.

"I made them bring me," Lonnie said quickly.

"Oh, I'm so glad," Mal said, visibly relieved.

"Hi! Welcome to the Isle—it's good to see you," Evie said warmly, hugging her.

Elinor, Evangeline, and Imogen, also hugging Lonnie

"Did you bring my bow?" Elinor asked Carlos.

"How could I forget?" he replied, handing it over with a grin.

They gathered around as Mal inspected the fake wand the 3D printer had made.

"Oh, let me see," she said, holding it up and checking it for flaws. "Wow. What a beauty."

"It's noon," Carlos reminded them—it was time.

"Alright. Are we ready?" Mal asked.

"Yeah."

"Let's do this," they chorused.

"Hey guys! They're here!" Gil called out excitedly.

"Welcome!" came that familiar accented voice—the one that made Evangeline unsure whether it haunted her or made her dreams more interesting.

"Finally! Let's get this party started!" cackled a girl with blue hair—Uma.

Uma stepped forward, moonlight flashing off her sword. Her voice was sharp, deliberate. "There's no negotiation," she said. "I'm not here to debate. You want motivation?" She nodded at Ben, kneeling at the dock's edge, tied and helpless. "Look at his face. Ask yourself how long I'll stay patient. One more word I don't like, and he's shark food."

The pirates behind her sneered and shouted taunts.

Mal didn't flinch. "Let's all just be smart. I know that might be tough for you, but this doesn't have to end with someone getting hurt."

Evie, Carlos, and Jay stood firm behind her. Elinor shifted beside them, her hand brushing the hilt of the dagger in her boot.

"You'll get your wand," Mal said. "No one has to go overboard. So stop pretending you scare us. We both know your bark is worse than your bite."

Uma's smile didn't fade, but her eyes darkened.

"Give us the wand or he's gone!"

"You've got seconds left!"

"Watch your mouth, princess!"

The threats flew fast.

Jay stepped forward. "Your move, Uma. Peace or war."

"We're not standing down," Carlos added.

"Come on," Evie muttered. "Let's end this already."

Mal's tone hardened. "Okay, enough. This isn't a conversation anymore—this is do-or-die. You don't give me back the king, I won't hesitate. I'll show your whole crew exactly what I'm capable of."

Evangeline's fingers twitched. Her eyes stayed locked on Uma—but in her periphery, Harry was watching her.

He tilted his head slightly, lips curling in a smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes. She met his gaze. Didn't blink. Didn't flinch. But her grip on her belt strap tightened.

He gave a little shrug, like he was asking: You gonna stop me?

She didn't answer. She didn't need to.