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Rod and I nearly reached Idris, but just before we got to hiot in our way I worot to the other side, Idris was gone I made a full circle turn to see if I could spot hi off a couple of woet hi while that Rod had actually fought to get away froone On the bright side, the worst of the panic had been quelled, as Owen and Merlin had apparently reveiled all the ot back to them and Rod had escaped from his female admirers with a couple of phone nuet the crowd to block us Is everything okay here?"

"I think so," Owen said wearily "Next ti the unveiling a little better It shouldn’t have hit the whole square like that, though I thought it would only cover a short distance"

"There aren’tspells fros at once," Merlin said "It was an impressive display, and there seeht soon enough that ined it all Not that you shouldn’t be more prudent in the future, with that kind of power at your disposal" I remembered then what I’d overheard from James and Gloria Merlin had a similar tone to his voice, a uess that spell needsHis face was flushed, and he didn’t look Merlin in the eye

"I doubt Mr Idris will ht," Merlin said "Now, I’ve taken away enough of your holiday Please enjoy the rest of the evening, but I would like toSay ten at ed a look, then he said, "We’ll be there"

"Rocky and Rollo will get you the rest of the way hooyles, e each word "In One Piece"

They saluted him "Yes, sir, Sarumbled

The drive froed to be even more bizarre than the drive froave Rocky directions for each turn, and then Rocky told Rollo when to drive or brake, so the entire drive was a flurry of, "Turn left at the next intersection Ease up on the gas BRAAAAAKE Okay, now you can go Then make another left Stop, stop, stop! Go!" and so forth

When we finally stopped in front of --one tire up on the curb and the fender inches froh to houys can take the rest of the night off" He looked about as pale and shaky as I felt Once ere safely on the sideith our bags, I vowed never again to complain about New York taxi drivers After the Town Car peeled out into traffic, toof horns, and took the next corner on theels, Owen turned toupstairs?"

I was sorely tempted to say yes so I could then invite hie a little of what re hoet home and study our latest probleuess I’ll see you in the ?"

"Yeah I’ll come by around nine-twenty"

"Okay" I unlocked the front door, then turned back to face hio with you Aside from the last hour or so, I really enjoyed it"

"And I enjoyed having you there It s a lot easier"

I would have hoped for a kiss, but I could tell he was distracted again, brooding over whatever had happened with that unveiling spell After seeing James and Gloria, I understood better why physical affection wasn’t exactly second nature to hi and trudged up the stairs The ier this stairwell see a different world, orbeen up on the first-class deck--and we know the steerage folks didn’t come out of that situation too well

It was hard to believe I’d only been gone a little n to hborcold, and he didn’t want to be called again on a holiday I opened everyin the apartment and traded Gemma’s cashmere for a T-shirt before I unpacked Asthe lock before they got back, the apartment felt empty without my roommates