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A vase of flowers appeared in the ic does exist," Owen said softly beforesome words, and Marcia’s red wine turned to white, co down the outside of the cool glass Another wave, and the wine returned to red

Geain, unable to even form a question

"It is real," Philip put in "I can vouch for their truth"

She turned to him, openmouthed "What, you’re estured toward Owen "However, at an entirely different level I don’t have his degree of power"

"How do you fit into that?" Marcia asked ic Well, I nor story Re ic i they do works on ic from everyone else That’s a useful ability in their company"

They looked dazed I couldn’t be sure that they bought it or even understood it fully, but I forced ic the wrong way, and our coot ht e stuff that’s been going on with me in the past fewNew Year’s Eve?" Gemma asked

"Especially New Year’s Eve," I confirmed "It’s a really complicated explanation, but the siuys, and all the stuff I said and did was really her I just got rid of her last night"

"But I thought you were iic"

Owen stepped forward "We had to re They took advantage of the vulnerability"

"And all that stuff last night?" Marcia asked

"I’m afraid that was because of me," Philip said "One of their enemies is my enemy, as well, a descendant of the man who enchanted me to take over my family’s business" I noticed that he left out the nature of the enchantment, but that was his secret to tell Geained the business, they lost funding for their sches for one of Katie’s rooot the wrong one"

"We’ve spent the last couple of days trying to find a way to get Marcia back and get rid of our enemies," I wrapped up the story as siuys, I take it?"

Owen and I looked at each other "Not exactly," I said "We haven’t yet had the ultied to head off each of their evil scheets out of control They’re still out there, and that’s why I wanted to tell you guys the truth It et even hairier in the future, and you need to knohat’s going on"

"Why haven’t you told us before now?" Gemma asked

"We’re not supposed to let outsiders knoen said "We could only tell you now because of what Marcia saw last night If knowledge of the existence of ic and the fact that there are people with fantastic poalking aeneral public, the result would be chaos The rule is to protect you asour power, that ainst you The proble by the rules We’re worried they ain real power"

Gelanced at Marcia, then said, "Okay, we’re in What do you need us to do?"

I’d been expecting to have to go into hours of explanation, lots of demonstrations, and even then face skepticism This was almost too easy "Youo off and call the funny farm to reserve me a roo "It makes more sense than most of the stories you’ve told to cover it up"

"What do we need to do to help fight this bad guy?" Ge we need to do to protect ourselves? Hang garlic from the doorways? Wear crosses?"