I held up my hands, afraid that my fingers had turned to ash and fallen off, but I counted all ten digits. “Better now that Eleni and I closed the door to the crossroads.”

Eleni rocked on her heels. “Let’s keep it closed this time.”

We didn’t agree on everything or have the same taste in clothes, but this was something we could agree on. I never wanted to see the crossroads again. Ever. “Thanks for saving my butt.”

“That’s what sisters are for,” she said, flashing me a huge smile. “That and occasionally share clothes.”

I’d rather share clothes any day than deal with the Lord of Shadows.

“I’ll feel better once you both are in Azur.” Mama’s tone was firm, but her voice was tired and wary. “You’ll be safe there.”

“No place’s safe from him,” Eleni mumbled.

“It’s safer than here,” Papa said, coming to his feet. “For now.”

“Are you sure you’re okay, Maya?” Mama asked again, looking me over for any signs of trouble. “I was going to help with the evacuation today, but I can stay home.”

“I’m fine, Mama,” I insisted, not wanting to derail her plans. “Besides, Eleni will be here with me.”

“I’ll make you chestnut and watercress soup!” Eleni volunteered. “My mother used to make it for me when I was sick.”

“I’m not sick,” I moaned.

“I know, but you are recuperating!”

“No more fixing tears in the veil, okay?” Papa said. “Pack your things and be ready to leave tomorrow morning.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but Papa shook his head. That was the end of that. Did all parents have a talent for shutting down conversations so quickly? My parents were masters at it.

Once Mama and Papa left, Eleni went downstairs to the kitchen. I climbed out of bed and stared out the window. It was still morning, but a dark cloud had settled over the neighborhood. Across the street, movers packed my ex-babysitter Latesha’s art into the back of a white van. One of the movers carried a stop sign painted neon green, with bottle caps and paperclips glued onto it. Another one was balancing a tower made of plates and forks.

“Be careful with that,” Latesha said to the man with the plates. “That piece took me ten months to finish.”

There were moving vans parked on every corner as our human neighbors packed up their things. Latesha, LJ, Mr. Mason, the Campbells, the Patels, the Lees. They were all leaving, and soon the streets would be empty. I pressed my hand against the cold window, and a chill shot through my shoulders. The Lord of Shadows had already started to destroy our neighborhood.

“May I come in?” Zeran asked from behind me.

I turned around too fast and got a little dizzy. “Sure.”

“I heard what happened,” he said, standing in my doorway. “You okay?”