”When Mr. Drummond returned home again, he left me with the sigils, the psychic connections we used for the other Wizards.“We have a sort of assoc...iation, over and above that of the various ruling councils. We meet each quarter, or more often if needed, and discuss what we are working on, solicit advice, or offer help if it is needed. Wizards, my dear boy, are what keeps magic alive and useful, but working alone breeds hubris.”Christmas was over, and the New Year was around the corner when Pat. ”“Wow. Damn. Wow.”Maria asked me, “Rob, are you OK?”“I think so. I hope so. How does this work?”Malena spoke. “We don’t know. We were hoping you would know what to do now.”“This is going to sound cheesy.” They looked in question. “Cheap, gauche, tacky...” Then nodded when they understood and told me to continue. “I’d like to take some pictures of you; both of you, together in your lingerie while I think about it.”They both cracked up laughing. Malena spoke for both of them, as they smiled and. Oh, that's great.'Hilda grinned at my evident relief. 'Right,' she said. 'But first there are some things we need to discuss before we're agreed.''Try me,' I said.'First of all, I'm a lesbian. I work for a society that supports the rights of gay women all over the world. If you've got a problem with that, then it's no deal.''That's alright,' I answered. 'I'm cool with that. Anything else?''No visitors after eight o'clock,' she said. 'No boyfriends, nor anyone. I value my privacy and I don't. Everyone else was either collapsed in a drunken heap, asleep, in couples or a combination of the three, but neither of us had drunk anything that evening.I followed her wondering where she was taking me, and admiring her shapely form under her tight white t-shirt, short black skirt and what seemed like white tights. She led me into a spare room with a double bed, and locked the door. Then I was pleasantly surprised, because she put her arms around my neck and kissed me softly on the lips. I.