Elph waited for me at my door, his anxious face brightening as he saw me stomping my way toward him. I felt a surge of relief at the sight of him, partly because I worried about his safety and partly because it made me hope my other friends were fine, too.

I set Sassafras on the floor, the Persian's tail beating against the cold stone and was startled when Elph wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tight.

"I'm glad you're safe," I said. "Where are the others? ...