Imogen clapped. “It’s such a clear night. The views will be spectacular. Kids, why don’t you go first? We’ll be right behind you.”

Ava said, “That is, as they say, my cue. It was a pleasure meeting you all. I will take my leave now.”

“Take your leave?” said Imogen, grabbing Ava’s hands. “Oh, please don’t. We would love for you and Jaime to come back with us. Any family of his is a friend of ours. I could show you our Morningstarr collection at the archive. It’s extensive, as you probably know.”

The woman in gray smiled, as a teacher might to an eager student. “I’m sure it is.”

“And we have cookies!”

Imogen’s warmth was hard for anyone to resist. And no one could resist cookies. “All right,” Ava said. “Thank you.”

Each of them climbed the ladder in turn. Nine consented to be draped around Gunter’s neck so that she, too, could ride the airship to Manhattan (as long as she agreed not to unsheathe her claws). From the cockpit, Delancey DeBrule greeted them all. She even gave a warm welcome to Ava, a welcome that surprised Jaime considering that the twins had once compared Delancey to a stick bug. (Which they thought was a compliment because, twins.)

“Everybody ready?” Delancey said.

“Get a move on, Delancey!” said Imogen. “I don’t want to end up in a newspaper article with Luke Songood.”

“I think you meant Schoomp Sonfluke,” Priya said.

“Nein,” said Gunter. “Doof Flukenfluke.”

“Good old Doof,” said Ray. “I hope they bury his career in the dirt.”

“No pun!” said Priya.

Ray’s laugh was like happy music, a trip down the piano keys. “Puns all day.”