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? Were they captured?" I could only think of Sassafras in his cage
and shivered at the thought of my friends being held captive.
"I'm fine," he said. "I hid from the guards when they came to take me prisoner." His lips brushed my cheek and I sank
into him. "I was more concerned for you," he whispered in my ear. "Are you all right?"
I leaned away, nodding, the battle for control almost lost as tears welled in my eyes. Now the massive momentum of