The ghosts lurched forward and lifted Carran by her elbows, kicking and screaming. “I tried to warn you,” Eli said as they carried her to the forcefield to join the other darkbringers.

We’d put an end to the siege on the school, but it wasn’t without injuries on both sides. About half of the godlings had cuts and bruises, and at least a few had broken bones. The same was true of the darkbringers. But my mind was elsewhere. I had to find out why Eleni hadn’t come back yet.

Mama, Pam, Dee, Sidda, and the other parents rushed into the main hall. Jayla darted past me, clutching two dolls, headed straight for Eli. “Go ghost mode, Eli, go ghost mode!” she screamed as he scooped her up. Then she was spinning around in the air in invisible arms. I couldn’t tell who was giggling harder: her or her dolls.

“Frankie!” Pam said as she and Dee both raced toward her. “We were worried sick about you.”

After Sidda checked on Zeran and Billu, she went to talk to the darkbringers. “The Lord of Shadows lied to you,” she told them. “The celestials and godlings are not our enemies.”

“Are you okay, Maya?” Mama asked, hugging me. When I didn’t answer, she pulled away and frowned. “Where’s your sister?”

So much had happened in the last few hours, but I forced myself to keep it together. I told Mama that Eleni had gone back to warn Papa and the other celestials that the prisoners from Alsar were on their way. “I have to go find her.”

Mama squeezed her eyes shut and shuddered. Then she stared me straight in the eye. “It isn’t safe, but . . .” Her voice cracked and broke off.

“I have to go, Mama,” I interrupted.

“But.” She held up one finger to shush me. “Even though no parent should see their child in danger, I won’t stop you from going. You’ve proven time and time again that you take your guardian responsibilities seriously.” Mama sucked in a deep breath. “And your sister needs you.”

“I’ll bring her back,” I said. “I promise.”

Mama gave me a sad smile and looked around the hall at the godlings and darkbringers alike moaning in pain. “It seems that I have a lot of work to do here in the meantime.”

Frankie, Eli, and Zeran convinced their parents to let them come with me. As we started for the door, Winston, Tay, and Candace blocked our path. “We’ll keep everyone safe here,” Winston said with a smirk. “We’ve got this.”

“Thanks,” I said awkwardly. He’d almost sounded friendly.

“Good luck,” he said, then turned on his heels and walked away.

Zeran shrugged, and Frankie shook her head.

“Never thought I would see the day those three started acting like decent godlings,” Eli commented.

“Me either,” I said as we stepped on the school lawn.