Since Asmodeus had fathered the great Merlin, he of all the Councillors, knew him best. Libuse had given him free reign at the council meeting. Now however, she expressed concern. "Just one moment, Rhys. Knowing you as I do, I know that you are willing to take risks, that I am not. What exactly is your plan?" she asked.

Rhys turned to Myrddin. "You mentioned that the sabbats were always held at the Grand Temple, but that the sex rituals occurred at various temple locations, correct?"

"Yes. Those members who were ranked high often had their own temples. As a general manager, Caleb could have people drop in on him at any time, so he never used his home for rituals, but Con and some of the others certainly did. Why?" Myrddin asked.

"Because...now consider this as a possible scenario: you're found in one of those temples. You're being held there because you had refused to take part in their rituals. You believed that you had agreed to lead a progressive Wiccan coven. When you discovered the truth at the murder scene, you wanted out. It was there that you also realised Rosemonde was in great danger.

"You knew she wasn't at the murder scene. So, you began to search the other temples one by one. Unfortunately, a member of The Children of Azazael found you and managed to subdue you. They kept you imprisoned until they could notify Caleb. When Caleb is announced dead, they panic and flee, but they leave you behind.

"I think I recall you saying that the home of Constantine Papadopoulos had a temple and that it was not far from Zoiia's residence. My plan is to have you found chained there, in much the same way as Rosemonde was. With some luck, the authorities will finally bring that scum to justice. Rosemonde is, of course, still on the run because, by this stage, she has lost her memory.

"Rosemonde, you will need to act out that part, but we now arrange for both of you to be found. I will have to, er, rough both of you up a little to make it look realistic and-"

"ARE YOU COMPLETELY OUT OF YOUR MIND? ASMODEUS CLEARLY HAS SOMETHING PLANNED FOR MYRDDIN OR HE WOULDN'T BE TRYING TO FIND HIM!" Theodora was livid.

"I'll do it!" Myrddin said without hesitation.

"Myrddin no! It's too dangerous," Theodora started to argue. Myrddin reached for her hands and tried to calm her.

"Dora, I am not yet a Luminous Warrior and neither are you. But we both hope to be one day, don't we? Any member of this new family, our family would risk their life for you, for me. I'm attending the same lessons that you are. I hear the same stories that you do. We both know what they have had to endure in the past and what they will need to do to continue the fight against evil in the future. They have been undercover before. They have walked into the lion's den and have faced death countless times. Rosemonde's family did die! To the outside world it looked like a series of unfortunate events but you and I now know that they were marked because they walked in the light. Don't you see? This is what it's all about! We took an oath when we entered Tweldor. I stand by it. I'm going to do what Rhys suggests."

Silence filled the room. Rosemonde, Mairead and Ursula had tears in their eyes. Max looked at his friend open mouthed for a moment, before beginning to clap. Everyone joined in and then got to their feet, giving Myrddin a standing ovation.

When the clapping had ceased, Libuse gestured for everyone to take their seats. Finally, she spoke, "Everything that you say is true Myrddin, but as a pre-candidate, you need to know that you are under no obligation to do this. It will be extremely dangerous, and if you go ahead, there are no guarantees that you will come back."

"I sense that both you and Rosemonde are important to Asmodeus somehow." Mairead mused. Turning to Libuse she said, "I don't think he wants to kill them. I think he wants to...breed them."

Theodora bristled. "We'll just see about that!"

Drew turned to Myrddin; concern was written on his face. "Ros' can lucid dream. I think she'll be okay, she's deflected Asmodeus' advances before. You need to learn how to do that too, before you're put in such a dangerous situation."

"My uncle taught me. If I keep my wits about me, I should be fine too," he replied.

"Oh no!" Mairead exclaimed suddenly. "This is the best plan that we have come up with. I know that, but if there is another way, I think we should take it."

"Mum? What did you see?" Drew asked.

"In my mind's eye I see a funeral or perhaps it is a memorial service. I can't tell, exactly. We are holding it here at Tweldor. I cannot see who is gathered nor who is missing; but I know for certain, that some of us will not return."

Libuse nodded. "And so, it is with every battle. Let us pray then for guidance and protection et amor in lumine."

"Et armor in lumine," they replied.