The intensity of the lights dimmed a little. The engine had died. I waited. The lights flickered a few times and the motor didn’t start. My jacket, ...lashlight and umbrella were just inside the door so I got them and headed for Dinah. I kept the umbrella just for women visitors. No man I knew would carry one or use one. When the lightning flashed I realized it wasn’t Dinah. The car was the convertible from town. I lit the flashlight and tapped on her window. She looked up at me with a terrified. ”I nodded and we started down the stairs. “I came to House Volantis to recruit someone with the right magical skill set.”She shook her head. “You do know we’re under the Lockdown, right? How were you expecting to find out if anyone has the right skill set without asking them and then deciphering their answers for the truth?”“The same way I know you’re the one I need,” I said. “I can share memories. In a heartbeat, I can glean enough from you to know whether you have the skill set I need.”Her. Disowned by her family and newly widowed she had almost killed herself. She realised that she was feeling reckless from the sense of escaping death. Morris could see that Marie was interested at his circumspect offer, but unsure how to react so he added, "If you like my dear I could ask one of our ladies to give you a tour," and pressed a bell on the wall behind. Marie looked at him, "If I take one of these 'specialised positions' what is the pay and if I choose to leave I am free to go?" . Bentley is lounging in the back yard, and the cat is lying at the edge of the bed asleep and dreaming. Jewel is just being dropped off by her friend as they come downstairs from the shower. They greet her at the door.“Hey, Jewel,” Priscilla says with a smile, giving the girl a hug. “Cute dress. It goes with your hair.”“Morning, Priscilla. Morning, sis!” Jewel beamed, running her fingers lightly through her long, blue dyed hair. “And this?” she asks, twirling around and modeling for the two.