Myrddin wasn't sure how he was going to get inside Zoiia's house and into the basement temple. He wasn't even sure that Rosemonde would be inside. Zoiia's exit from the house alone had confused him. She would not leave in the middle of a ritual, so either it had yet to begin, or it was already over, which meant... No, he couldn't allow himself to think about that possibility.

If he were still a man, he would not have engineered Zoiia's death so quickly. He would have made her tell him where she was. As a raven, his resources were limited and he was glad she was dead. He was careful to stay hidden in the uppermost branches of the highest tree. For all he knew, there might be a vigilante with a rifle poised to take out the 'killer raven', who had attacked the beautiful blonde woman...

"I know that you will understand me."

The figure at the base of the tree was talking to him. Myrddin was sure of it. He couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman, as it appeared to be hunched over, hiding. The voice was probably female but he wasn't completely sure.

"I also know that you are no ordinary raven. Tell me your reason for attacking Ms Kozel. If I believe it to be valid. I will help you."

What the heck? It could be a trick... and I have no magic left with which to defend myself.

"There are no journalists or cameras on this side of the road. No one will notice if you hurry. I will not harm you. Quickly now, into the basket."

There was a seagrass weave basket at her feet containing a loaf of bread and a carton of milk.

"I'll cover you with my cardigan until we get inside."

Well...I can't stay up here forever.

His decision made, Myrddin flew into the basket and was quickly covered by a pink cardigan. No one paid any attention to the little old lady crossing the street with a basket of shopping.

Once inside her home, she headed to her kitchen, put the basket on a bench and removed the cardigan. Myrddin flew out of the basket and onto the bench. He shook his feathers and stretched his wings. Cocking his head, he looked the old woman up and down.

She looks harmless enough.

The old woman left the kitchen briefly and returned with an old typewriter. "In case you can't speak," she explained. "You can type with your beak."

"I caan...sp-speak, kuk kuk kuk." Myrddin replied.

"Well, it's a start anyway," the old woman chuckled. "The more you talk, the clearer your voice will become. You just need to practice. Now, you'd best tell me your story."

"How did you know I wasn't aaah aaaarrr raven?"

"No, I'm asking the questions first. I shall tell you all about myself, after you tell me about you. Now quit stalling and start talking."

And so Myrddin told her everything...

"And how did you, a human, learn to shapeshift?" she asked.

"I'm still not sure how I did it," he explained. "I also have no idea how to change ba-baaaack."

Myrddin had finished talking when a large grey and white wolf bounded into the room.

"That's a wolf!" Myrddin exclaimed before perching on the highest cabinet in the kitchen.

"Vell spotted bird brain." The wolf transformed into an amused young man with blonde hair, grey-blue eyes and apparently, a Russian accent.

"No need to be rude Vladimir! Myrddin meet my friend Vlad. As you can see, he is a werewolf." The old woman spoke directly to Vlad, completely ignoring the fact that he was naked. "So, I assume you heard everything?"

"Da, and I think ve should help," he said.

"Agreed," the old woman replied.

"Who aaah-are you, people?" Myrddin had not come down from the safety of his high perch.

"My name is Agatha. We'll explain the rest shortly. Vlad put some clothes on. You'll be more persuasive than an old woman on this one. Myrddin, which detective do you think is the more trustworthy?" she asked.

"I'd say Berg," Myrddin replied. His speech was improving but now, whenever he said a word with an 'ah' sound, he would drag it out. He couldn't seem to help it.

"Come down from there and tell me if you see him outside," Agatha said.

Myrddin did as he was told. She held out her arm and he settled there as she parted the curtains slightly. He looked for Berg and spotted him finally, speaking to one of the uniformed officers. "There, the tall one talking to the lady cop," he said.

Agatha nodded and turned to Vlad. "Go, get him."

Vlad dressed quickly and went outside to fetch the detective. Myrddin and Agatha watched him from the window. "Detective Berrig?" he asked him. He extended a hand for Berg to shake, unobtrusively placing a small folded piece of paper within the detective's palm.

"Berg, that's right. Can I help you?"

"Could I have a vord vith you, alone please?" Vlad nodded and looked at Berg with intensity, praying that the detective played along. To his relief, Berg nodded curtly and motioned him to step away from everyone else. He unfolded the paper, which said, HELP-MYRDDIN.

"Where?" Berg asked.

"Come vith me." Vlad led the detective to where Myrddin and his friend Agatha waited.

A/N
Chapter Header - Australian raven photo from @little_raven_aus on Instagram

Wolf photo from @wolves.realm on Instagram