“I’ve got a good feeling about it. Besides, if you mess up, there’s always your other eight lives,” the cat said.

“Humans don’t have those,” Eleanor reminded her.

“That’s right. I keep forgetting what ridiculous creatures you are,” the cat-of-ashes told her, deadpan. Eleanor wrinkled her nose in amusement. “I’d better hit the road. Look out for the pip-squeak for me, will you?”

“I’ll see you later,” Eleanor said.

“See you on the other side,” the cat-of-ashes agreed. She paused, like she wanted to say something more, and then she flicked her tail and launched herself off the step. She bounded off into the darkness, and quickly vanished.

Eleanor wasn’t alone for long. Pip and Otto emerged from the house and settled on the steps to either side of her. None of them said a word for a long time. Together they stared out at the unnatural night.

“This is it,” Pip said at last. “This is really it.”

“Whatever happens, this is the last time we have to face Mr. January,” Eleanor said. “We break the curse . . .”

“Or it breaks us,” Otto finished.

“We’ll win,” Pip said confidently.

“How can you be sure?” Eleanor asked.

Pip shrugged. “I just am. Maybe it’s the Story, but I can just feel it. We’re going to be okay.”

“I wish I felt that sure. I know way too much about the things that can go wrong now,” Otto said. “It turns out that endless knowledge is really bad for anxiety.”

Eleanor squeezed his shoulder. “I don’t know if we’ll win. But I’m sure about us. I’m sure about you two, and my parents, and even Wander and the cat-of-ashes. Both the cats-of-ashes. I’m sure we’re together and I’m sure that we’ve done everything we can. If that isn’t enough, then nothing would have been.”

“Hey, guys?” Otto said. “Maybe this is really cheesy, but . . . I love you.”

“I love you, too, Otto,” Eleanor said with feeling.

“You mean you love Andy Park,” Pip said teasingly.

“Wait, I thought she liked Mabel Cox,” Otto said.

“Oh, shut up!” Eleanor cried, and then they all burst out laughing. Eleanor put an arm around Otto, and one around Pip, and pulled them both close. “Is it weird to say I’m glad I moved to Eden Eld? Even with the curse.”

“It’s not weird,” Pip assured her.

“You have to say it, too, Pip,” Otto said.

“Say what?” Pip asked, feigning cluelessness. And then she leaned her head against Eleanor’s shoulder. “I love you, too,” she said softly.

Eleanor didn’t need the world-walker’s gifts to sense the bond between them, blazing bright in the darkness.

Then Otto stiffened. “They’re coming,” he said.