“But I did at least get some information in return.” Relieved to move on from my own guilty secret, I told Liz and Soheila that the Grove had apparently made a decision to close the door after forming an alliance with the Seraphim Club in London. The women exchanged an anxious look at the news.

“The Seraphim goes back to the sixteenth century,” Soheila said, shivering. “They’re very powerful wizards and even more anti-fey than the Grove. Their members looted the temples of my country and drove out our old gods. They decorate their club with the spoils of their pillaging.”

“They are marauders of the worst kind!” Liz exclaimed, her cheeks flaming pink. “Common thieves and tomb raiders!”

“Perhaps that’s how they found an alternative source of Aelvesgold,” I said.

All the pink drained from Liz’s face. “An alternative source of Aelvesgold? That’s impossible. The only source of Aelvesgold is Faerie and this is the last door.”

“Duncan told me that there are creatures that can produce their own Aelvesgold,” I said.

“There are stories about creatures of that sort,” Soheila said, turning to Liz. “Do you think …?”

“Those stories have never been proven,” Liz replied, her eyes wide.

“What stories?” I demanded. “What are you two talking about?”

“Elves,” Soheila replied in a hushed voice, looking anxiously around the room. I recalled Liam’s cryptic reference to elves when we were in Faerie.

“Liam told me that they had been destroyed for trying to take over Faerie.”

“Some believe that they became monsters in their banishment – creatures who hate the fey and humans alike,” Liz said.

“Nephilim,” Soheila whispered.

“I thought nephilim were fallen angels,” I said.

“My people believed that the legend of the fallen angels came from the expulsion of the elves from Faerie,” Soheila said.

“But those are only stories,” Liz said nervously. “No one knows if the nephilim exist. And if they did exist, surely not even the Grove would have anything to do with them.”

“Unless they offered them an unlimited supply of Aelvesgold,” I said.

Liz and Soheila exchanged a worried look. “That would indeed be a strong inducement. Nephilim and witches working together would make a powerful combination.” Liz shuddered. “We must stop them. You must gain enough power to keep the door open. Will you transform again tonight?”

“Yes,” I said, shivering with anticipation at the thought. “Duncan said he thought there was another shape that might be more effective. It will also give us a chance to look out for Lorelei. We’ll have to do something about her, but we have to find her first.”

“I’ve been thinking about that,” Liz said. “It’s possible she’s sought sanctuary with her daughter.”

“Her daughter? But aren’t all her children in Faerie …?” But then I realized who she meant.

“Lura?” I asked.

Liz and Soheila nodded.