Drew called out to his mother and Theodora. "You both need to see this!" He gestured towards the television screen. "I'm recording it. It's Myrddin isn't it?"

"Yeah, I think it is." Theodora frowned.

"He's bloody psychotic! Thank God they pixilated it, there'd be kids watching this! Why did he attack that poor woman? It's like something out of a horror movie."

"Dear God, I hope he stays away from Rosemonde!" Mairead clutched her son's hand.

"She's his girlfriend, Mairead! He would never hurt her. Honestly, you've misjudged him," Theodora retorted.

"Was his girlfriend. He's a bird, in case you haven't noticed," Drew bit back.

Theodora sighed. "Look, Drew, that may be only temporary. If he comes back in human form, you're going to have to accept that she may still want to be with him."

Drew didn't respond. Theodora's words echoed in his mind. Grinding his teeth in frustration, he realised she was right. Rosemonde had no idea that he had feelings for her. Would she even care if she knew? She wasn't in high school anymore.

"Both of you just stop! That's not what is important right now. We need to figure out what this means for Rosemonde," Mairead appealed.

Theodora's mobile phone rang, it was Berg. She put him on speaker phone. "Go ahead Chris, we're all here," she said.

"I'm assuming you've all seen the attack?" he said.

"We certainly have," Mairead answered coldly.

"Things are not how they look, Mairead. That was the woman who took Rosemonde," Berg responded.

"WHAT?" they all said simultaneously.

"But she's blonde. That nurse had dark hair," Drew said.

"We believe she could change her appearance, Myrddin will explain -"

"He's with you then?" Theodora asked.

"He is. I also have two others with me who are keen to meet with you all, in relation to Rosemonde. We have news."

"You've found her?" Drew asked.

"We haven't Drew, I'm sorry. However, we do know that she's alive, and physically at least, she seems fine. Considering what we have learnt about her imprisonment, it's a miracle. I'd like to share what we know. Is it convenient if we come over?"

Drew wasn't sure how he felt about seeing Myrddin again, but he wanted to hear what the detective had found. He nodded when Mairead looked in his direction quizzically. She responded to the detective, "Of course, Detective Berg, you're welcome here."

"I think it's time we were all on a first name basis, particularly if we will be working closely together. Please call me Christian, or Chris, that is if you still want to help?"

"Absolutely Detective Ber- I mean, Christian. We'll see you shortly," Mairead answered.

"That's grand. We'll be there soon." He ended the call.

Theodora was astounded. "He's excited about something. I've never heard him like that before, like ever! Whatever he wants to tell us, must be pretty big..."

☆☆☆☆☆

Drew greeted Christian and his companions at the door and ushered them into the sitting room. "Vlad what are you doing here?" Drew asked.

"Drew? Is good to see you once more." The two men hugged much to the astonishment of everyone else.

"How on earth do you know a Russian werewolf, Drew?" Christian enquired.

"Well, that was subtle," Myrddin said.

Drew nearly fell over. "Ah, okay, so you look like a raven but you really are Myrddin. Wow! Even though I thought I got that when they told me, I guess I didn't really get it. This is crazy! Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean - "

"It's aaah-aah-all right, it was a shock to me too. I didn't actually think it would work, but it saved my life. Had I remained a m-aaah-man, I'd be dead."

"Ok, now you kind of sound like a crow. What just happened?" Drew took a step back, disconcerted. Am I really conversing with a raven?

"I have trouble with the aaah-aaah-r sound probably because it's like many of the calls of birds in the Corvus genus. Ravens have more of a grunt than a caw but oddly, my speech seems more crow-like. Although, this morning I thought I sounded a bit Budgerigar. Perhaps I'm getting a cold." Myrddin cocked his head contemplatively.

Drew stared at the black bird, open-mouthed. Theodora giggled. Myrddin kept talking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"By the way, I nev-aaah-never got a chance to thank you for taking care of Rosie for me. "

Now, Drew felt guilty. "But...I-I lost her. It was my fault she -"

"No. You waited with her all night. You're a good friend."

Friend. Yeah face it, Drew, that's what you are!

Myrddin persisted, "Zoiia would have done anything to take her. Trust me, you shouldn't blame yourself. There was nothing you could have aaah-aaah done."

Mairead noticed that Theodora now watched Myrddin and Drew with a sad, somewhat faraway expression. She wondered what it meant. Arms folded she turned to Christian. "What do you mean by a werewolf?" she asked.

"He means I am a verevolf," Vlad said.

"You're a werewolf?" Theodora repeated.

"But I just said that."

Agatha suppressed a laugh and shook her head. "Vladimir sweetheart, they heard you, I think they're just having trouble believing it. Perhaps if you show them-"

"But they is vomem." Poor Vlad was a deep shade of red now. "Before you say it, Aggie, I know you is vomam too, but is different."

"Yes, I suppose it would be a little different." Agatha was laughing now, she couldn't help it, as was Myrddin.

"Ms Wilson, Theodorrraaah, do you have a problem with male nudity?" he jabbered.

Vlad took a swipe at Myrddin who flew away and now rested on Agatha's shoulder. Mairead regarded Vladimir and blushed. She felt safer not replying to Myrddin's question.

Theodora was more brazen. "Nah, go on. Get your gear off." She winked.

Drew groaned and Myrddin cackled. Vladimir looked mortified, and Mairead was embarrassed for him.

"I'm so sorry, Vlad," Christian apologised. "I should have given you time to prepare. I'm just so excited about the reality of what you can do, what you all can do," he corrected himself and glanced at Agatha. "Mairead and Theodora are both psychic. They too have been of considerable assistance to the investigation. Once we pool our resources, we will have a much better chance of finding Rosemonde! I'm very excited as you can probably tell." Christian was practically bouncing. "Please Vlad, the ladies could turn around but then they'd miss the actual transformation. I think it's important that they see it for themselves. Seeing is believing."

"You're actually serious?" Drew was incredulous.

"I am," Christian said. "I take it you and Vlad have met before, then?"

"Vlad was a guest musician on our recent album. He played the zhaleika, which is a traditional Russian wind instrument... So, a werewolf huh?"

"I suppose I must show you, but I ruin clothes vith change so forgive me but I take all off first." He began to shed his clothing.

Theodora tried not to stare at Vlad's toned body. It sure helps that he's hot as! She thought. Clearing her throat, she said, "No problem, do your thing."

Vlad blushed again, before transforming. Mairead and Drew gaped in amazement. Theodora began to gush. "It's true! Oh my gosh! I've always wanted to see a wolf up close. So beautiful! Can I, may I, touch your fur?"

"Well I don't think he's been asked quite like that before." Agatha laughed.

Theodora snorted. She tentatively put her hand out. Vlad licked her fingers as if to say that it was okay, and she patted his back and ears. She smiled in awe.

Christian caught Agatha's eye and she smiled. "We are Luminous Warriors," she explained. "There are many more of us. Our network is looking for Rosemonde as we speak. We would like you to join our ranks. We're here to train you, if you are interested.

"We need to plan our next move carefully. The other side is also looking for Rosemonde and no doubt they will hatch some horrid plot to save their own reputation — the Du Malum Corporation, are up to their neck in it. We have to get to her first."

"The other side, do you mean The Children of Azazael?" Mairead asked.

"Among others," Agatha answered. "You have seen that evil exists. Unfortunately, that's just the tip of the iceberg. If you become Luminous Warriors, you will become targets."

"And the Du Malum Corporation is involved?" Mairead was astounded. "I made two of my movies through Du Malum Studios. I knew they were cutthroat, but honestly, all the studios are. I never had a sense of the demonic."

"They are careful who they approach. They have to be. They want people they can easily manipulate or who are greedy enough to care little about others. The beautiful energy I pick up from you, Mairead, suggests that they would not have approached you. You're too much of a challenge. You have a strong moral code and the courage of your convictions.

"The demonic realm wants to take over humanity by recruiting the weak, and depraved — what we once openly called evil. Now that word is not politically correct. Now we make excuses for bad behaviour. The worst of our society appear to be rewarded, while their targets continue to suffer, and the demonic rejoice in their misery. They always have, and they always will."

"But why?" Drew asked.

"Because they can. Why does a bully punch someone weaker? Why does someone steal from their employer, or cheat on their spouse? Because they can.

"The difference between a lapse in judgment and real evil is that evil is never sorry. Evil wants what it can get for its own sake. Evil wants to want! Evil is never satisfied. If the perception of the psychopath is that you have something that they do not, they will take it and then punish you for daring to have it in the first place. A good marriage, a dream job or home, if it is something an evil person doesn't have but wants, they will take it without any qualms. We must be faithful and persevere if we are to fight and survive." Agatha counselled.

"You make it sound like we're fighting a war," Theodora said.

"Because we are!" Agatha said. "The purpose of the Luminous Warriors is simple — stop the demonic realm from taking over. We expose their plots and protect the vulnerable from falling victim to their ploys."

"How?" Mairead asked.

Agatha smiled, "Come with us and learn."