“This thing is awesome,” Nine said. “I can see why Eleni liked it.”

“We have to help Six,” Sam said. “But take these two. Then help me push this thing over.”

Nemo was able to climb onto the platform with Nine, holding the still-unconscious Ghost. Sam remained standing on the ring. “Showtime,” he said to Nine. “Give it all you’ve got.”

Nine grinned. He backed the floating platform away from the building and lifted his hands. Sam felt the planet begin to tilt the other way. He turned and faced the hotel, and as Saturn began to topple over, he ran across its surface, looking down at the roof below him. Eleni and Six were still fighting, and didn’t notice what was happening.

“Six!” Sam called.

Six looked up. She looked exhausted. But she nodded.

She sent out a telekinetic burst that knocked Eleni over, then collapsed onto her knees. The Mog looked up, saw the statue as it came down and tried to roll out of the way.

She didn’t make it. Saturn crashed into the roof of the hotel, breaking through and coming to rest half in and half out of the structure. Sam jumped, landing on the roof beside Six.

“Show-off,” Six said as Sam helped her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. Six hugged him back. “I could have taken her, you know.”

“I know,” Sam said. “But I was getting tired of sitting around on Saturn without you.”

Nine alighted on the roof next to them. “We need to get these two to a hospital,” he said.

“We’re not leaving without Max. No more splitting up,” Nemo said.

“I’m right here,” Max said, emerging from the darkness. “Although you almost killed me with that,” he added, pointing to the collapsed statue.

“How’d you get away from Freakshow?” Nemo asked him.

“I’d like to say I kicked her ass and got away,” Max said. “But the truth is, Seamus came back to the room, and the two of them took off. I don’t know where they went.”

“We’ll find them,” Nine said. “With Magdalena and Eleni out of the picture, they’re probably running scared.” He looked at Sam. “By the way, there’s quite a mess in the plaza down there.”

Sam grinned. “I’ll be sure to leave the cleaning staff a big tip when I check out.”

EPILOGUE

GHOST AND NEMO

POINT REYES, CALIFORNIA

GHOST OPENED HER EYES.

“How do you feel?”

Ghost looked at the girl standing beside her bed. “Edwige?”

Edwige smiled and nodded.

“I feel okay,” Ghost said. “Did you do this?”

“Dr. Fenris did the surgery,” Edwige said. “I healed you afterwards.”

Ghost looked around. “Where am I?”

“Human Garde Academy,” a voice said from the doorway.

Ghost looked over and saw Nemo standing there. For a moment, she felt panic flicker in her chest.

“It’s okay,” Nemo said. “You’re safe.”

“I should go,” Edwige said. She squeezed Ghost’s hand. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Edwige left, and Nemo came and sat down on the edge of Ghost’s bed. There was an uncomfortable silence as neither really looked at the other.