Rosemonde had been released from hospital, only to have returned immediately to visit Myrddin. His respiration and heart rate were strong, and his brain activity good. Were it not for the fact that he would not wake up, he'd be considered in good health. He remained however, completely unresponsive.

As a psychiatrist, Frank would not assess his case until he had regained consciousness, but both Lucy and Amaryllis were on his ward, so Rosemonde was reassured that he would be safe.

Rosemonde, Max and most of their team, visited as often as they could. They'd even attempted dreamwalking with him. It was through those attempts, that they began to realise this was no ordinary coma.

When they entered Myrddin's mind, they would enter nothingness. With every attempt, there was only the endless darkness. No light. No Sound. No movement. Oblivion. The crushing blackness even swallowed the beams of their dream flashlights.

After their seventh night, trying to access Myrddin's dreams, Max finally voiced what they had all been thinking. "You know, I'm beginning to think that he's not even here."

"That certainly presents a different meaning to the phrase 'out of one's mind,' doesn't it?" Ursula remarked, dryly.

"But, Max, if he's not present in his own head, then where would he be? He's very much alive, so he HAS to be here, somewhere!" Rosemonde argued.

"This is futile, Ros'! We can barely even see one another, let alone anything else." Drew said, disheartened.

As expected, Rosemonde began to protest. Drew held up a hand (not that Rosemonde could see it), "I'm not suggesting we give up trying to reach him, Ros', only that dreamwalking doesn't seem to be the best option to help him right now."

Max agreed. "Rosemonde, sweetie, Drew's right. Either Myrddin's not allowing us into his dreams, or he's not even here to let us in! Stumbling around in the dark is only making us more frustrated, and it's not helping Myrddin."

So, they stopped, and focused on visiting him in the real world. They prayed. They researched, and they worried — particularly about Theodora.

She was yet to come to the hospital at all... The friends assumed that this was because Theodora had to hide her relationship with Myrddin.

Rosemonde reminded her, that she had not renewed her lease for the old federation home, that she had shared with Summer. She couldn't bear to stay there alone, so she and Theodora were still housemates: "So, it would be logical for us to be seen together. You could come to the hospital with me and see Myrddin. He needs you Dora!"

But Theodora would not come. She left the Wilson residence and retreated to Tweldor, where she remained in seclusion, refusing to see anyone.

No one knew how to reach her. Libuse had suggested that they leave her alone for the time being. It was hard for them to do that, since they had become such a close-knit group, a family. Nevertheless, they respected their Domina and did as she suggested.

At twilight, each evening, the friends would leave the outside world and take a portal to Tweldor to continue their training. With no lessons tonight however, they had gathered by the lake to teach an off-duty Aoife and Balthazar, how to toast marshmallows.

"This is a most peculiar food. While delicious, I cannot believe that it will be of any nutritional value. Why do you need to consume it?" Aoife asked.

It was Renweard who answered her. "Since breaking with tradition and choosing to fight beyond the citadel, I have learned many things about humans," he stated proudly. "They eat for pleasure, as well as for sustenance."

"You humans do many things in the name of pleasure, that get you into all manner of strife. Is that not inefficient, even detrimental, to your self-preservation?" Balthazar enquired seriously.

"Without a doubt," Christian guffawed. "Do you expect me to believe that you have never gotten yourself into trouble, doing something you love, Balthazar?" He was completely at ease with the gargoyles now.

"Oh! When you put it like that, I think I understand. I do love to tease Mordecai, and it does get me into trouble — every time," Balthazar sighed. Everyone fell about laughing.

Without warning Eden burst from the bushes and was standing on the path before them, breathless. She had run all the way from the citadel to find them. She addressed her father's best friend. "Mr Max, will you help me?" she puffed.

"Help you with what, sweetheart?" Max asked.

"During the battle, Rhys taught me how to call my sisters," she explained, still breathless.

"Yes, he said you were very brave." Max smiled at her.

"He didn't tell me what to do if they talked back," she said.

"Who is talking back, love?" Ursula asked.

"Jezebel Sydney Forty-two. That's why I need you to help me talk to my father's woman, Mr Max. She is Forty-two's mother, isn't she?"

"Libuse needs to know this," Vladimir said. The others agreed.

"Come on let's get back. Don't worry Eden. All of us will help you!" Rosemonde promised.

☆☆☆☆☆

"It is best that you do not see Theodora right now. It may upset her and you would find it disturbing." Libuse told the group who had gathered in her sitting room.

"What on earth is going on?" Max stepped towards the Domina angrily, but Rosemonde put a restraining hand on his arm. She looked at Libuse pleadingly.

"Domina, godmother, please! After everything that we have been through, everything we have heard about and seen, do you truly think that we couldn't cope with whatever it is that she is hiding?

"Rosemonde, my dear, she is not hiding anything except herself. She asked Romaine to return her powers to her. It was done; but when she realised what she could do, she became terrified. One who wields magic with fear is a danger to themselves and to others."

"She is no longer in her quarters." Drew guessed. "Is she?"

"No, Andrew, she is not," Libuse acknowledged.

"Surely, she is not with Magnus?" Renweard shuddered.

"It's the only option for the moment," Libuse said. "He is trained and has the strength to deal with -"

"Prisoners!" Renweard replied, shocked. He turned to the others. "Magnus is the dungeon master. He and his men look after those who have attacked the citadel."

"You're telling us that Theodora attacked Tweldor, and is now being held prisoner?" Mairead asked in disbelief.

"It was an accident!" Libuse protested. "Theodora is not a prisoner, however as Domina, my responsibility is to protect the citadel and all those within its walls. I have strongly suggested to Theodora that she remain in the dungeon until she can control her powers, but of course we have adapted her cell to be as comfortable as possible. Romaine and Evangeline work with her every day. There has been some improvement. She hasn't blown anything up or injured anyone else in days."

"I don't know whether to laugh or cry," Rosemonde said. "I'm sorry, Eden, we'll have to wait."

Eden turned to Libuse. "Forty-two spoke to me. I just wanted to tell her that."

"Is she, all right?" Libuse asked.

"I think so, yes. She said that she is being trained in magic and is also learning how to be integrated. In public, El-Molech calls her his daughter. He is taking her on a trip to the middle east for her birthday, in addition to giving her a physical present. She already knows what she is getting. She said it is a beautiful necklace. She seems excited, about both the trip and the gift."

"I don't like the sound of that! Demons do not give gifts without expecting something in return." Libuse sighed. "Did she say anything about Theodora, specifically?

Eden nodded. "She thought that her mother had deliberately abandoned her, so she placed a psychic shield around herself, ensuring that she could not be detected. Her mother would never find her; but I told her the truth, so now she might remove the shield. If she does that, Miss Theodora may be able to find her soon. That is what I wanted to tell her."

In an endearingly familiar gesture, Libuse began to rub the spot between her eyebrows — her third eye. She seemed to be having some sort of internal debate with herself. The group watched and waited. Libuse sighed finally, having reached a decision. "I know that you want to find Theodora's daughter. I want to find her too, and put a stop to whatever Molech has planned for her. Unfortunately, I can't help you," she said.

They immediately began to protest.

"Wait, let me finish," Libuse continued. "The Councillors and I received a more specific request from the Holy Ones. We are to set up a school for the girls, here at the Citadel. Rhys will be the school's principal, since they appear to trust him the most. Romaine said that she is willing to help too, and has been accepted as a Warrior candidate. The school has become our main priority.

"As a result, I have decided that each of the candidate groups will be allocated their own quest to work towards, once they have fully qualified as Luminous Warriors. I am going to make your quest to investigate Molech, and hopefully, rescue Sydney from him. Do you accept your allocation?"

"YES!" Eden jumped to her feet.

"NO! I was meaning the candidates. Sorry, Eden. You will have your hands full with completing your school work. Once you are of age and have graduated, you can apply for candidacy." Libuse smiled at her but the young cambion looked stricken.

Rosemonde moved over to comfort her. Eden was becoming more comfortable with touch, and allowed her to put an arm around her.

"I'm sure there will be many ways that you will be able to help us from here," she told Eden. "I've heard your research skills are excellent." Eden looked up at Rosemonde and beamed at her.

"Theodora will want to be involved too," Max said.

"And so, she will! Er, once she's stopped accidentally maiming people." Libuse sighed.

"I'm afraid to ask," Christian said seriously.

"Fortunately, nothing that couldn't be repaired," Libuse said seriously. She appeared to come to another decision. "Alright, you may visit Theodora, but not tonight. She has had an exhausting day and Lucy has given her a herbal draught to calm her nerves. It is sedating, and she will probably be asleep. You may call upon her tomorrow after classes. Be prepared for anything."