Lilith cursed as she felt herself being forced out of Zoiia's body. And just when I got a good one too!

She had enjoyed Zoiia. She liked her. Like herself, Zoiia had wanted to be noticed. She liked sex. She liked power. She got both. Simple. Uncomplicated. Lilith would be fortunate indeed to find someone like Zoiia again. While there were many women who sought power and enjoyed sex, few were as bold or amoral. Zoiia took what she wanted when she wanted it, without remorse.

Lilith looked down at the road kill that was her former host and sighed. She wondered how long it would take before Zoiia's succubus spirit left her body. Usually, it wasn't too long after physical death once they had given themselves over, completely. Zoiia could choose to go on indefinitely, but she too would need a new body. Lilith gritted her teeth and sighed again as she watched the drama unfold before her.

The driver of the Hummer was in shock. He had jumped out of the vehicle the moment it had stopped but when he saw Zoiia's mangled body, he froze. He could barely articulate to the police and paramedics what had happened. Realising that it might be some time before he could process what had occurred, he pointed to his dashboard camera mutely. It was retrieved by a police officer who also breath tested him. The alcohol reading was zero. Several witnesses came to his defence, declaring that there was nothing that he could have done to avoid hitting the victim.

"She was all over the road!"

"Drunk?" the officer asked.

"Actually, I don't think so." A woman came forward with mobile phone footage. "I was waiting at the bus stop. I couldn't believe what was happening, so I started filming. Look at this!" She showed them the raven's attack. "Ravens are not shy birds and will try to steal food from humans, but they usually maintain a strategic distance. They rarely attack, but this one is actively pursuing the woman. She must have done something to it."

Raven attack? I need answers! Lilith's spirit looked like a column of black smoke as she rose into the air. She was invisible to all but the most discerning of humans. Myrddin's raven watched her ascent, as did an elderly figure standing at the foot of the tree...

Within hours the attack had gone viral and was headlining news on all channels. Raluca Gantulga soon identified Zoiia as the woman who had been attacked. When it was discovered that Zoiia Kozel was the personal assistant for Caleb Mort and that he had suffered a fatal heart attack only hours previously, the media attention escalated into exactly what Detectives Berg and Craig had been trying to avoid.

CALEB MORT — THE 'DEAD HEART' OF DU MALUM, LINKED TO SATANIC CULT!

MODELLING AGENCY MURDERS!

SUMMER JONES' LAST DANCE AT BEDLAM!

DU MALUM'S BEDLAM!

BIZARRE RAVEN ATTACK. WAS IT BLACK MAGIC?

And Gwendolyn Thomas reported her brother missing...

☆☆☆☆☆

The décor in Bedlam was deliberately mismatched. The nightclub could be called bizarre, but neither kitschy nor tacky. Rather, it presented as a fusion between Wonderland and scenes from multiple surrealist paintings. Everywhere you turned there was something curious to examine. It was as if you were a spectator in someone else's dream. Since you were not the one in control, you never knew quite what you would find, around the next corner. The public loved it.

The ever-changing décor was part of Bedlam's attraction. Patrons would attend the club each weekend, wondering what their dreams (or nightmares) would be. Would they be trapped in the Minotaur's labyrinth or caught in The Matrix? Perhaps they would be trying to leave Hotel California? No one knew from one week to the next, and so they continued to come.

The cocktail lounge opened from six, but it was not uncommon for crowds to begin assembling as early as four in the afternoon. Two women pushed past the hopefuls, and all but fell inside. The crush was particularly bad this evening.

"Humans are strange creatures," the tall, platinum blonde remarked.

Her darker more curvaceous companion agreed, "Mmm, I have always thought so."

The women were like night and day. Tallulah, blonde with silver eyes and alabaster skin, was the moon. Chantal with bronze skin and topaz eyes was the sun. Both women were exquisite. They had used their allure to gain employment, at Bedlam. Tallulah was a waitress; Chantal a sultry singer. They were certain that Bedlam held sinister secrets, and they were determined to find them. They made their way to Chantal's dressing room, where they could talk freely.

"I thought that the headlines would keep them away. Well, I hoped, but they seem to be actually attracted to the drama!" Tallulah exclaimed in frustration. "There are so many people here each night, that I have to actually waitress." She changed into her uniform as she talked. It comprised a flared black skirt with voluminous red petticoat showing underneath, a low-cut red brocade bustier and a black bow-tie.

"I know what you mean. Can you zip me up?" Chantal looked like a Gothic bride in black leather and lace. "When I finish my set, I'm practically pounced on by the patrons. I haven't had much of an opportunity to look around, either."

"At least we were able to help those poor humans. I'm pretty sure they would have been sacrificed, otherwise." Tallulah exhaled sharply. Her hands were shaking. Chantal raised an eyebrow, concerned.

"Tally?"

Tallulah gave her a reassuring smile. "The temptation can be hard to fight. You would know how it is. Beautiful bodies writhing to the beat. Some days are a little harder than others, but it's okay. I know I'm not alone anymore. I've not let it beat me."

"Good girl! You can do this. You're a Warrior now. Fight for your soul! Et amor in lumine, my friend. You're not alone."

"In love and light...I know." Tallulah nodded. "Thanks, Songbird. You've got to do your sound check and I've got to check that the bar is stocked. We'd best get out there."

The two Warriors exited Chantal's dressing room and entered Bedlam.