The peak collapsed beneath her. She plunged into the turbulent ocean, down, down, down to the bottom. Desperately she wanted to rise to the surface, and something in the murky water beckoned her, and she floated forward, past skittering crustaceans and evil-eyed fish. The ground beneath her was rising, rising. The sediment in the water seemed to dissipate. Plants grew here, verdant otherworldly seaweeds that waved to the rhythm of the fierce currents. She reached out. She parted the fronds—and she saw two faces, frozen, staring at her...without eyes.

She gasped in surprise and horror.

But she couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t breathe.

Elle woke, struggling to suck in air. Her lungs sucked in oxygen so urgently, she knew she’d been holding her breath.

“Elle, are you all right?”

She opened her eyes to see Adam kneeling before her. Was she all right? “Yes.”

Yet those faces, hidden behind the fronds in swirling, murky water, staring without eyes, accusing her of...of what?

Adam put his hand on her waist and steadied her. “You were unconscious. What happened?”

She put her hand to her chest and breathed again, taking the time to note the act and how much it eased her terror. “I wanted to know if I had more family, besides my mother. So I thought about emotions and connections, and I saw...” Words failed her.

Rune appeared behind Adam.

Where had she come from?

“She hypnotized herself.” Rune rubbed her own forehead.

“Can she do that?” Adam demanded.

“Of course. Self-hypnosis is a tool I teach—taught—my patients.” Rune pulled up a chair. “How long was she out?”

“Not long, but I don’t know for sure when she went under. She didn’t tell me she was going to do such a—” Adam stopped himself precipitously.

“Such a risky thing?” Elle suggested.

Adam picked up her hand and kissed it. “You scared me.”

If he was going to kiss her hand, she supposed she’d forgive him for whatever unfortunate thing he said. “I didn’t scream this time,” she told him.

“No, but I almost did.”

She wasn’t sure Adam was kidding.

Rune nudged Adam out of the way and looked into Elle’s eyes. “Quickly now. Tell me what you saw.”

“It wasn’t real. It was more like a dream populated by symbols. A vision.”

“Did you see if you do have a family?” Adam asked.

Rune turned on Adam. “Shut up! These memories fade quickly. She needs to recount everything while she recalls it.”

Elle ignored Rune and stared firmly at Adam. “The only family I have is the family I grew up with. I have no partner, no children. I’m alone in the world.”

“Seriously?” Adam sagged with relief, then caught himself. “A vision isn’t a guarantee.” He turned to Rune. “Is it?”