“Maybe after a nap,” I manage to say. My lips, face, and whole body are turning numb with exhaustion. Guess the magical jet lag is catching up with me.

“Okay, you rest. I’ll give your mom a call and let her know you’re safe.”

Sleep tugs at every inch of me, sucking my body down into the black hole the worn leather seat has become, while the radiator wraps me in a warm blanket.

Less than three hours later, we pull into the school’s parking lot and Emmi shakes me awake. Mom is waiting, arms folded across her chest and a scowl on her face.

24

“You’re okay, you’re okay.” Mom cups my face in her hands, peering into my eyes and then at the rest of me. “Tell me you’re okay!”

“I’m fine, Mom.”

With a groan of relief, she crushes me in a hug, squeezing me so hard I can barely breathe. After several moments of bone-cracking love, she pulls away and love morphs into anger.

“Where on earth have you been?” Mom gives me a shake, her hands clamped tight on my arms. “What were you thinking? We’ve been searching for you!” She gestures to the trees, where more crows have joined my usual three in the branches. Her face is haggard, with dark circles like soggy tea bags beneath both her eyes.

Guilt carves up my insides.

“We were at the tonttukivi,” I start. “And we crossed into this liminal realm, but we have to hurry. I got out, but the others are still trapped there!” And I napped in the car, when I should’ve been telling Emmi. Rescue efforts could’ve started hours ago! But there’s so much more Mom needs to know. Words start tumbling from my mouth, faster than my brain can process.

“Aoife was injured by a maahinen and they’re trapped and Toivo—and the forest had eyes and they were burning—and Morgan—and then Sorin—and we know about Tumultua, the Order of Louhi is back—and Natalie was a milkshake and—” Nothing is coming out right.

“Taika, that’s enough,” Mom says. “Breathe, come on. Take a deep breath. Good. And another. There you go.”

“I think they’re in shock,” Emmi says. “I gave them something to eat and drink in the car, then they fell asleep. They sound delirious and probably need medical attention.”

“Thank you, Emmi. I’ll take it from here.” Mom loops her arm around my shoulders and guides me farther down the path.

“Are you sure you don’t want—”

“Emmi, thank you,” Mom’s words are clipped. “Really, I appreciate all you’ve done, but don’t you have a camp to get back to?”

How can Mom think a camp is more important than rescuing Natalie?

“All right. Call me if you need me.” Emmi hesitates before heading toward her car.