“She crossed the veil, and we caught her,” Eli said to his grandmother, thrusting out his chest. “Aren’t we the most awesome godlings there ever were?”

“You’re going to be the most grounded godlings in the history of the universe,” Nana said. “We postponed handing out your punishment the last time you broke the rules. Give you an inch, and you go a mile.”

“But, Nana!” Eli insisted. “We’re the good guys, and we didn’t break any rules this time.”

“This is unwelcome news,” Shangó said, settling on his throne next to Nana. By day, he was our science teacher, aka Mr. Jenkins, at Jackson Middle School. “If Tyana Nulan is back in the human world, then the Lord of Shadows has already made his next move.”

“We should dispose of her now,” Ogun proclaimed. All six of General’s eyes lit up with excitement. He was drooling like he would be glad to gnaw on Nulan’s bones if given the chance.

“Our first priority is to find out why she’s here.” Nana raised her hand, and vines grew from the floor and snaked around a still-unconscious Nulan.

“Agree,” Eshu said. “Tyana is a trusted servant of the Lord of Shadows. Her presence could prove useful.”

Eli swiped at the sweat beading on his forehead. It was taking all his strength to hold the ghosts this long. Once Nana had completely entangled Nulan in her vines, he let them go. “Thank you, thank you,” he whispered to them as they left one by one. A tall, lanky ghost affectionately patted him on his head before vanishing.

Eli had built relationships with ghosts eager to help defend our world once he told them what was at stake. Some of the other spirits wanted to be left alone to haunt houses and graveyards or old hospitals, and he respected their wishes.

Nana’s vines pulled Nulan down into the cloud of darkness at our feet. “We’ll deal with her later,” she said, then she turned her attention back to us. “Well, you’re here now, so you might as well witness the first celestial to arrive from the edges of the universe.”

“She should be here any moment now,” Oshun added. “The Mother of All Things.”

“We’ve been waiting for the rest of the celestials to arrive since this summer,” Eli whispered to Eleni. “The council has refused to move against the Lord of Shadows until then.”

“I’ve never met any of the celestials who dwelled beyond earth,” Eleni said excitedly.

“You will today,” Eshu interrupted their conversation, not bothering to hide that he was eavesdropping. Not that one could be stealthy in front of all-powerful gods or anything.