Eleanor looked at her. “Can I trust you?” she asked.

Katie’s lips parted. Her brow creased faintly. And Eleanor saw the moment she made her decision. “Yes,” she said—and the threads between them blazed with brilliant light.

Eleanor smiled. “I think I can save everyone,” she said. “But I need your help.”

Twenty-Six

The gray mist seethed as Eleanor and Katie gripped each other’s hands. “Ready?” Katie asked.

“Ready,” Eleanor confirmed. She shut her eyes. The world-walker’s power shone inside her, like looking into an infinite night sky full of stars. Katie’s power was more like a ripple of silk, elegant and soft. Together, they reached for the Wending.

On their own, they couldn’t have slipped out past the binding of the moonlight thread—not for a while yet, at least. But together, it was easy. They wove their way between the threads of the worlds and found what they were looking for.

Pip and Otto appeared in a shimmer of air. Otto yelped in surprise. Pip had Gloaming out of its sheath in half a second—and pointed at Katie’s chest.

Eleanor turned to block the blade with her own body. “Stop! She’s on our side,” she said.

Pip’s eyes narrowed. Otto’s widened in confusion. “What are you talking about? Let’s get out of here and Empty this place,” Pip said.

“She’s different,” Otto said, peering at Katie. “Her heart is different.”

“We don’t have time to explain,” Eleanor said. “Mr. January and Mrs. Prosper will be back any minute. I have a plan. I need you to trust me. Whatever happens, okay?”

“Of course,” Pip said immediately. She lowered her sword. “She’s really not evil?”

“Never again,” Katie said, like it was a promise to herself. She didn’t look any different, at first glance. But there was a new strength to the way she stood, and a light in her eyes that hadn’t been there before.

“What are you—” Otto started, but he didn’t get any further before Mr. January’s voice interrupted him.

“Sister. Look at this. You’ve collected the full set, and just before midnight,” he said. He emerged from the gray, his eyes hard and suspicious. Mrs. Prosper was behind him. Eleanor stiffened and drew back toward her friends as Katie stepped out in front.

“What exactly is going on here?” Mrs. Prosper said. “What is this trickery?”

“No trickery,” Katie replied. Her voice was smooth and assured, and in it, Eleanor heard an echo of Wander. “They are here to offer themselves willingly. The final key.”

Pip and Otto gave Eleanor alarmed looks, but she reached back and squeezed their hands. This was the plan. It was going to be okay.

“That’s absurd. Why would they do that?” Mrs. Prosper said.