“That is, if Dr. McFay is willing to close the door for us,” Adelaide added.

“And what if I don’t?” I asked.

“That would be regrettable,” Adelaide said severely, “but I assure you we have ways of doing it ourselves. You won’t be able to stop us.”

“What about the otherworlders living in Fairwick?” I asked. “What will happen to them?”

“The creatures that have made their homes here are free to choose which world they will live in,” Adelaide replied.

“That seems eminently fair,” Talbot Greeley said with a relieved sigh. “Don’t you think so, Delbert?”

Delbert Winters snorted. “Too fair by half, but I suppose it will do.”

“But if the door is closed forever, many will be forced to choose Faerie,” Liz said.

“So they’ll have to choose,” Lydia Markham said brusquely. “We’ve all had to make hard choices. Why should the fairies be any different?”

“And what of those who have used Aelvesgold to lengthen their life spans?” Liz asked. “Or to control illnesses. Lydia, didn’t your mother receive treatment when she was sick last year? And you, Talbot, I know you don’t maintain your physique through going to the gym.” Neither professor met Liz’s gaze.

“Vanities,” Eleanor Belknap remarked. “We’ll learn to do without them. Are we ready to take a vote? All those in favor of closing the door forever, raise their hands.”

Five of the six board members raised their hands. Liz kept her hands clasped in front of her, fingers knotted together.

“Very well, then,” Adelaide said, smiling. “We’re agreed. The door will be closed forever.”

“When?” Soheila asked, the single word gusting from her mouth with a force that snapped the window blinds and chilled the room.

Adelaide smiled. “Since tomorrow is the solstice it seems a fitting time. The door will be closed tomorrow morning at dawn.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

RISING AS ONE, the Grove members began to file out. The IMP Board members got up more slowly, but they too left the room, avoiding looking at Liz, who still sat in her seat. Soheila got up and started walking toward Liz and me at the same time as Frank turned around from the slide screen, which had been left on. He started toward her, his arms out as though to grab hold of her.

“Soheila, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know …”