She had killed a man. Until an assessment was done, Rosemonde would remain in the closed ward. Doctor Ovida checked her vitals. Normal. Relieved, he exhaled. Bowing his head, he prayed for both her and his protection.

Had he been with her more than five minutes? He needed to be careful. There were other patients that required monitoring. He couldn't be seen to be with Rosemonde too long. Come on Amaryllis! He glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already 5.00am. He was on the graveyard shift this week, and would be finishing up in an hour, when Amaryllis was due to start.

The gentle fairy was a talented healer in the tradition of Myddfai. She practiced her craft surreptitiously in the human world, as a nurse's matron. It was fortuitous that Rosemonde happened to be sent to the hospital where she and her student Lucy worked. Indeed, the Warriors had done everything within their power to protect her person, but could they also protect her mind?

Ah she's back. My Rosemonde has returned to me at last. Asmodeus grinned. It had been days since he had felt her presence. He soon realised that the Luminous Warriors had her. Charles had been right. It was the only explanation. How much damage had they done? Would she continue to let him in? Did she know his true identity?

Only one way to find out. He mused. Yes. She was sleeping. Good...

"There you are! I have missed you, beloved. Come to me." Asmodeus in the guise of Morty, reached out for her.

Rosemonde stirred in her sleep. "Mmm...I take thee Andrew John Wilson." She sighed.

Frank Ovida smiled. He was hearted to hear that the famous guitarist was the man in her dreams. "That's right Rosemonde. You know the one you love. Stay in the light, don't let old cock foot drag you into the darkness."

"Yes Morty. I've missed you too," Rosemonde said suddenly.

Shit! Frank stopped smiling. He needed to get home. He needed to get to sleep, to dreamwalk — to help her. Please God, let her be safe until Ammy gets here.

Frank examined the clock again — 5.02 am. This was torture! He went outside and checked in with Aneurin. "Any updates?" he asked quietly. There was no one else in the corridor.

"Rosemonde's group has gathered at Tweldor. They are dreamwalking with her," Aneurin replied.

"Oh, thank the Lord! She just acknowledged Morty in her sleep. He's already there Nye, inside her head."

"It'll be quite the slumber party then." Aneurin laughed.

"I don't think this is something to be made light of," the psychiatrist said.

"Oh, come now, Your Highness-"

"I told you to never call me that!"

"Fine. I'm sorry, Frankie." Aneurin smirked, not sorry at, all. "Seriously though, have a little faith! All of her friends are there as well. All we can do now is pray that she listens to the right voices."

The right voices, indeed. Who will be the man of your dreams, Rosemonde? Frank pondered.

☆☆☆☆☆

Rosemonde knew she was dreaming, when she found herself in an ancient palace. She had been here before. Morty often brought her here. She didn't like it. It had always made her feel uncomfortable, even before she had learned the truth about him.

The place had a sinister vibe. It was certainly not the type of palace that she would have created in her dreams. It was creepy. She could imagine someone like King Herod haunting the halls and ordering the slaughter of hundreds of innocent children. She needed to get out of there. She ran towards a door that she hoped was an exit.

"Beloved?" Morty blocked her path. He appeared a dark brooding man, akin to Heathcliff or perhaps Mr Darcy. Exactly the sort of hero that used to fill Rosemonde's fantasies. Used to, past tense. No longer.

"I have told you before. I do not like this place," Rosemonde said. "Let me pass, Morty."

"You said you missed me and yet, you run from me. This is my home, yours too when I make you mine."

"I can't be yours, Morty." Rosemonde pushed passed him. "You're not real."

"Of course, I am. I live in your dreams. I AM the man of your dreams! It is time for you to make what we have, real. You have that power beloved. I can cross over into your world. We can be together forever, if you would only love me as I love you."

There was something in his tone, something threatening. Rosemonde did not try to get passed him again. She took a step back. I am dreaming and I don't like it. I can change the dream. I know I can. I've done it before, she told herself. I need to go somewhere that calms me, somewhere peaceful.

Rosemonde found herself now, on Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays, in Queensland. The sand was so white it was almost blinding. She dreamed up some sunglasses to protect her eyes. Rosemonde slipped off her shoes and waded into the turquoise water. It was beautiful and she relished the tranquillity. It did not last long.

"You cannot walk away from your destiny, Rosemonde. We belong together. You know I am right." Morty stood before her, again. "We have been together so long. I know you better than anyone. It's time for us to consummate our love. You have chosen well." He looked around him. "Let us make love here in this beautiful setting."

Seriously?

Rosemonde knew she needed to rest and prepare for what was to come. It would not be long before the police would come to interview, then arrest her, for manslaughter, possibly murder. She had to keep her wits about her. Lucy had prevented her from making a grievous error in her waking life, but what of her dreams. Could she deal with Morty now?

Oddly, she felt stronger here, than in her waking life, more confident. She seemed able to think more clearly, when she was fast asleep. She had an idea...

"You are stressing me out Morty. Right now, I just need to walk along this beautiful beach. Come, walk with me. Take your shoes off. Feel the sand between your toes." She smiled up at him.

Okay, she knows... I can still persuade her.

"No. Sand is so messy. It gets into everything. Rosemonde please pay attention to me. You are special. You are destined for greatness. We are meant to be together."

"No, Morty! That will NEVER happen."

"But beloved, you belong to me."

"It's over, Morty. Nothing we shared was real. You created an illusion. I know who you are."

"You know nothing -"

"Really?" Rosemonde snapped. "Then prove me wrong. Take off your shoes and show me your feet. Prove that you are not a demon!"

"NOW!" The group of friends — Rosemonde's family, appeared out of nowhere. They surrounded the demon. Together they began to chant, "In nomine patris et filii et spiritus sancti, we name you Asmodeus, sometimes called Ashmedai, a Duke of hell. In the name of all that is holy we cast you out of Rosemonde's conscious and unconscious mind. We bind your eyes so that you cannot see where she is. May she always be seen by God our Father. We bind your ears so that you cannot hear her. May her thoughts and prayers be heard always by God and his holy angels. We bind your tongue-"

"WAIT!" Asmodeus tried to take Rosemonde's hand but she would not let him touch her. Still, he attempted to persuade her, "You are the heir of the seventh heir. You are chosen! You don't understand the significance of that." Asmodeus turned to face the group. "She will never learn the truth if you cast me out."

Theodora stepped forward so that he could see her. "What do you know about truth, you sick bastard? " she asked.

"You?"

"Me," Theodora affirmed. She gave the demon a look of pure venom. "I will not let you use her, as you did me."

"Don't you want to see your daughter again? How about a trade? I will return her to you if you give me Rosemonde."

Drew and Max yelled simultaneously.

"FUCK OFF!"

"NO DEAL YOU OVERGROWN ROOSTER!"

Theodora was shaking with emotion. Vladimir took her in his arms. "Nyet Dora. There vill be another vay. You know it. Be strong!"

"But what does he mean by heir? An heir to what?" Rosemonde asked.

Asmodeus smiled. Good. She needed to know. The curiosity will gnaw at her. It will drive her mad, possibly even lead to her death. She would come back to him now. That was his Rosemonde. She was the proverbial cat. She hated not having her questions answered. She would not allow them to continue. He had won.

"ROSEMONDE STOP!" Mairead shouted. "DO NOT LET HIM SEDUCE YOU WITH HIS SECRETS AND LIES! IF IT IS IMPORTANT YOU WILL LEARN THE TRUTH WITHOUT HIS COLOURED EXPLANATION!"

"She's right, honey," Gianna said

Rosemonde nodded. "Keep going," she said.

"WHAT? NOOOO!" Asmodeus could not believe it. His Rosemonde. What had they done to her? She loved him, didn't she? This could not be.

"We bind your tongue so that you cannot speak evil — no lies, nor deceit. We pray that Rosemonde will always speak words of wisdom, inspired by all that is holy. We bind your hands so that you cannot work, write or carry out any evil plans for Rosemonde. May her hands be always employed in working for love and in the light. We bind your feet that you cannot walk with evil intent towards Rosemonde. May she always walk with God in light and love. BY ALL THAT IS HOLY WE CAST YOU OUT OF ROSEMONDE'S CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS MIND. ET AMOR IN LUMINE AMEN!"

Asmodeus screamed and was gone. Rosemonde clutched her head and fell onto the sand, unconscious.

"Rosemonde!" Drew ran towards her and took her in his arms.

"Libuse explained that this would happen," Christian said. "Asmodeus is gone from her dreams, Drew. She's going to be fine."

Drew dropped Rosemonde gently back onto the sand. Instantly, she vanished. He breathed a sigh of relief. "She's awake," he said. "We need to wake up as well. Let's get back to Tweldor..."

☆☆☆☆☆

Asmodeus was pulled unceremoniously from Rosemonde's dream. How could that happen? One, even two, could be explained. She often dreamed about her friends. It was not inconceivable that a couple of them could dream lucidly and accompany her on a nocturnal journey. But this? This went far beyond that.

Almost all had been there, not just that bloody rock god; even the mother, her boss! How? Could it have been dreamwalking? Impossible! Humans could not sustain that for long. They could not control a dream and cast out a demon. It was too draining. Unless...

I am missing something important. Asmodeus mused. I know that the Luminous Warriors had her... Wait. THEY were the Warriors. All of them! Dammit. Drew Wilson is a Luminous Warrior? How long? And Theodora Rossi... Well, now that is rather poetic. He laughed out loud. The mother of my Sydney Jezebel, is a Luminous Warrior.

And where was Myrddin? Why was he not one of those protecting his sweet Rosemonde? Perhaps she no longer trusts him. Interesting... She was the only woman to have ever distracted him. Certainly, she was important to him. What is he to you now, Rosemonde? Where is he? I have to find him.

"DU MALUM, I COMMAND YOUR PRESENCE!" Asmodeus shouted to the universe.

A dishevelled Charles appeared and fell on his knees before him. "M-my Lord. I am here," he cried.

"What the fuck happened to you?" Asmodeus asked him.

"W-w-warriors," Charles spluttered.

"Is that so?" Asmodeus sighed. "Tell me everything that happened."