Finally, Ilise blinked and released her, and Lena felt a great weight leave her body.

"I do hope we can talk again soon, Lena. Enjoy the party," Ilise called.

Lena stood still for several moments as she waited for the world to stop spinning. She hadn't realized that she'd been alone with Ilise—the room was completely empty.

Lena blinked several times and sat back down on the lounge, in an attempt to convince herself that what had just happened...actually happened. Ilise had arrived and disappeared so quickly, that if Lena were any drunker, she could have convinced herself it was a temporary hallucination.

But Lena had actually seen Ilise. Had...