They were all gathered in the Du Malum boardroom. It looked like any official business meeting, but when the board got together, someone, often many someones would suffer.

"Your High Priestess is late." Charles pushed his sunglasses further onto his nose, something he often did when he was bored or impatient.

"Unusual for her isn't it?" Asmodeus queried. He was a handsome man, as befitted a demon of lust.

Azazael frowned as he sensed Lilith approaching without her host. Although they could all hear her, only the other demons could see her. Appearing like a smoky blue hologram, Lilith soon conveyed to them what had occurred.

"Myrddin?" Constantine Papadopoulos was visibly shaken. "How could we get it so wrong?"

Azazael nodded. "I share your discomfort, my son. The prophecy... Our penultimate hierophant Harold told me all the signs, and I was so sure! When our last hierophant realised Myrddin had betrayed us, he attempted to have him terminated. That should have put an end to him. It didn't. I assumed Caleb had botched the incantation so, we made sure that his termination at least, was effective. Myrddin should not even exist! It is baffling that he is still able to create such turmoil."

"We have always experienced resistance and ignorance, my Lord Azazael." Lilith spoke formerly for the benefit of the human board members. They were to be reminded always, that the demons were their overlords. "No matter. The foundations have been laid. We will simply begin again," she said.

"Again?" Azazael rumbled in frustration. "Like Sarajevo? Like Poland? Dear Lucifer, how much longer?"

"You must be patient my Lord. Remember how close we came with that Austrian-German wannabe? Consider why we failed," Asmodeus instructed. "The fool! I told him to take it slowly, subtlety, but would he listen? Have we not learned anything from that failed experiment? We must not be rash, or impatient. The man had no finesse. That ridiculous moustache and severe hair cut should have been a clue — nothing subtle about 'Der Fuhrer'. Ah well! We learn from our errors, or we should.

"Do not be impatient Lord Azazael. That is human behaviour. We are immortal. We can afford a softly, softly approach. Only a few chosen humans have any idea how much of their world we already control." The human board members, the coven of The Children of Azazael sat up straighter. "Yes, you are the chosen ones," Asmodeus cooed. "You are a contrast to the sheeple, who have reached a new level of dull complacency. Even I have been surprised at how effective our efforts have been. The rabble doesn't even know the Creator anymore! Does that not make our task easier? Think about that and rejoice!

"This is merely a setback. It is not the end. Let us continue, slowly. The rabble is not quite ready to accept our complete domination; but it will come soon, very soon. Look around us. Can you not feel it, my Lord?"

Azazael nodded quietly, before turning to Lilith. "Why is Zoiia's essence not with you? She is bound to you now. Where is she?" he asked.

"I don't know." Lilith acknowledged. "I sensed a presence that I didn't recognise. It was uncomfortable. I am assuming now, that it was Myrddin. I hadn't understood before you explained it, that he was actually the bird."

"Was he alone?" Azazael pressed.

"The road was filled with onlookers and police fairly quickly. The press wasn't far behind. Myrddin was watching, but he remained hidden. I didn't see anyone with him. Humans are notoriously superstitious. They tend to fear ravens." Lilith shrugged.

"Wait a minute," Asmodeus intervened. "Can you describe how this presence made you feel?"

"I felt something I haven't felt in a very long time," Lilith said. "I felt fear."

"Then it was, angelic? Myrddin does not have an angelic signature," Azazael scoffed.

"If it wasn't an angel, it's energy was very like it," Lilith affirmed. "But I didn't see anyone watching me, besides the bird."

"If angels have been called, or the Luminous Warriors are gaining awareness, we'll have to act quickly," Charles said. "The police will have the tapes by now. Rosemonde Durand will not be charged with murder since it was self-defence, but we need to somehow discredit her. We need to create doubt that she really is as innocent as she appears."

"I know that look. You have an idea." Asmodeus grinned.

"Indeed," Charles replied, smiling his reptilian smile.

Azazael frowned. He knew the girl's name and knew that it was important to him, but at this moment, he could not recall why... No matter, we have a ritual to prepare.

"The Grand Temple had to be sealed — again, thanks to this whole Myrddin fiasco," he said, sullenly. "Has anyone any suggestions?"

"I have the perfect location," Asmodeus announced. "Bedlam."

"Your club has become exceptionally popular among the rabble. You are to be congratulated for that, of course, but to locate the temple within it, as opposed to a mere portal... Is that not a little risky?" Azazael drawled.

"As Ashley Medai, I consciously purchased all of the land surrounding the warehouse that became Bedlam. Jezebel's is, therefore, also on my land. I felt it expedient to connect the two establishments in some way, and so, I created a tunnel, magically.

"I trust Jezebel's madam implicitly. She is exceptionally enlightened for a human. She is aware of our agenda and often sends her girls to Bedlam. I understand that she has been of great assistance to Charles, with our current harvest. The girls have been instructed well, and can easily procure the men. Imagine a kitchen where the food simply wanders in. Would that not be more efficient?" Asmodeus smirked.

Constantine laughed. "Oh, think of how easily we would obtain the Life Elixir. My Lord Azazael, the idea has merit; particularly if the temple is magically hidden in or near the tunnel itself. You have my vote, Lord Asmodeus."

Asmodeus smiled at Constantine, benevolently. He would remember him. He caught Lilith's eye and they both nodded. Something passed between them, completely unnoticed by Azazael.

"I too, think it a splendid idea, Lord Asmodeus," Lilith cried. "May the chosen child be born from this harvest."

"So, mote it be!" Charles Du Malum enthused. "I am also in agreement."

Azazael frowned but did not protest. With both Charles and Lilith supporting him, Asmodeus would secure the demons' vote and Constantine was very influential among the humans. "So be it!" he pronounced.