Liz’s face, even in profile, was so pained that I had to look away. I looked out the window at the woods that lay to the west of Trask Road, into the deep shadows of the pines. The same woods where I’d roamed as a deer and an owl with Duncan Laird. I had felt an attraction to him – he was undoubtedly a handsome man – but when he’d tried to kiss me, the wards had prevented him.

“Duncan can’t be the incubus. The wards pushed him away.”

“That might be a trick, Callie.”

But it hadn’t just been the wards. “I pushed him away,” I said, turning back to Liz. “I wouldn’t let him kiss me.”

“Well,” Liz said with a tentative smile, “maybe you’ve finally developed some sense.”

I sighed. I’d very much like to agree with Liz that I was developing better judgment in my love life, but I doubted it. I had slept with Liam in Faerie and in my dreams. So why would I have any better judgment if Duncan were my incubus in the flesh?

I pondered in silence until we headed up Elm to my house.

“What are we going to do? Duncan Laird is coming over tonight. Should I still go ahead and transform with him? If he’s the incubus it could be a trick.”

“It may indeed,” she said with a grim set to her lips. “I’m afraid that what Duncan’s been doing with you has only decreased your power …” She suddenly slammed her hand against the steering wheel. “What an idiot I’ve been! I’ve compromised your power just when we needed it the most – and Lorelei’s still on the loose.”

“Soheila didn’t find her at Lura’s house?” I asked, recalling that she had been planning to look for her there.

“Lura wouldn’t let her in.”

“I could try talking to Lura,” I said. “She let me into her house before.”

“I think it’s better if you try to rest up. I have another idea of how to trap Lorelei. I’m going to ask the Stewarts to help …”

“The Stewarts?” I asked remembering the plaid-shirted farmers at the diner and the guileless boy I’d met last night in the woods. “Do you mean Mac Stewart’s family?”

“Oh, so you’ve met him … a nice boy, although perhaps not the brightest. Yes, his father Angus and his brothers are part of an ancient order that has protected the woods for generations. I’ll coordinate their efforts … oh, hellfire!”

“Liz!” I’d never heard her swear before.