“I was going to say flattering, but I guess that’s from my perspective. You do know why you saw my face, don’t you?”

I raised my glass for another gulp of Scotch, but he touched my hand and made me lower the glass. He covered my hand with his, steadying it. A warm tingling current flowed through my hand, up my arm, and into my chest. I tried to remember if this was how I’d felt when Liam had touched me for the first time.

“It’s because I’m your guide. Aelvesgold can grant visions, but often those visions are confusing. That’s why it’s important to have a mentor. Your subconscious superimposed my face on your dream-lover to remind you that you weren’t alone in this. You have someone to guide you.” He squeezed my hand and the warmth in my chest expanded throughout my body.

“But what was the vision trying to show me?” I asked. “I mean it seemed to be trying to drown me.”

“You mean I was trying to drown you, don’t you?”

I nodded, my throat thickening at the memory.

“That’s because I am taking you to places with the Aelvesgold that you’re afraid to go. Part of you senses that you’ll have to face who you really are, witch or fey. You’ve got both in you, but which is stronger? Which side will you pledge allegiance to?”

“Do I have to choose?” I asked. “I mean, I thought Fairwick was the place where witch and fey lived together in peace.”

He laughed. “More like an uneasy alliance. And that alliance will be cracked in two if the Grove closes the door. I think your dream was partly a result of that anxiety.”

“I guess I can see that,” I admitted. “I have been feeling edgy lately, torn between my promises to my grandmother and the Grove and my loyalties to my friends at Fairwick. But why would the vision try to drown me?”

“Oh, that’s because you’ve got a water witch in your house.”

“A …?”

“Look down.”

I looked down into my glass. Although I’d stopped swirling the Scotch a minute ago and Duncan was holding my hand steady, the liquid was still moving in circles.

“Something’s controlling the water in your home. And I’m pretty sure we know who that is.”

“Lorelei.”

“Yes. Now drink up. Once she’s strong enough, she’ll come for you. You’d better have all your strength by then.”

“Are you telling me that Lorelei sent me that dream?” I asked Duncan a half-hour later as we walked into the woods. “Because … ew!”