Walking into the party was an overwhelming experience. It was all I could do to stand straight and walk bravely into the temple. I didn't make it far, though, before I had to stop and try to gather myself. Erebus indulged me.

Black silk hung in great swaths from the ceiling, waving slowly in a breeze from a mysterious source, falling to the floor to gently pool around low tables and their accompanying beds. Partygoers could tug the fabric into place to construct a curtain of privacy or tie it to a column to allow voyeurism. The effect created a room full of shadows where one could hide... or not, as those involved decided.

The only lighting came from table lamps, wall and column sconces, and those flashing from the DJ stage. I couldn't look at the scaffolded lights long; the strobing effect would give me a headache if I did. The eerie effect of shadow and light both thrilled me and set me on edge.

The music was loud and thumping, clearly designed to be the accompaniment to sex, as was everything else. Lovers could feed each other from the bite-sized food choices, and everyone could drink away inhibitions from the numerous alcohol sources. In the candlelight of the tables, there glinted silver bowls of brightly colored tabs of Hell-only-knew what drug, personal mirrors, and other drug paraphernalia in the candlelight of the tables.

Mostly, there were bodies. Bodies everywhere, writhing and smacking together in various stages of ecstatic rites. The smell of sex and sweat hung in the air as intoxicating as the alcohol and drugs. Everything accented the central theme of the night: fuck and be fucked.

I leaned into Erebus. "Are you sure Nyx is the Mother of the Night? This seems more sex Goddess territory."

He smirked. "What do you think people do at night, Death?"

A spotlight lit up a shadowed balcony above the DJ stage. Into it stepped Nyx, a wonder to behold. Azza joined her, and my heart skipped a beat. He looked like someone had poured him into the red leather pants he wore, and they bulged in all the right places. He was shirtless but wore a red leather chest harness over the rock-hard muscles there, placed to frame her mark on him. Leather cuffs circled his forearms.

Nyx wore a simple, stunning red leather halter and skirt combo that barely covered anything, studded with diamonds and steel. Her hair, unlike mine, hung in great waves down her back. She wore no adornment and very subtle makeup. Thigh-high stiletto boots completed her look.

The music faded, and the crowd around us murmured her name. She waited until even the most active and engrossed lovers had stopped to pay attention. I expected a speech but, instead, another spotlight found Erebus and me. I was startled but managed, barely, not to raise a hand in defense against the light. The sounds of the crowd I could no longer see increased, and an overtone of curiosity added itself to the adoration.

"Devotees, patrons, and muses," Nyx offered, her voice spreading over the room like liquid sex, "I give you Death Incarnate!"

The crowd roared, and the music rose again, a much faster rhythm than before. I saw hands stretch into the light, trying to touch me, but I shrunk back. "If you or Nyx value their lives," I shouted to Erebus, "get me out of here. I will collect anyone who touches me, I swear it!"

"While I would love to see you piss Nyx off by killing her cult members, perhaps doing it tonight wouldn't be wise," he admonished, pulling me close to him. Some kind of magic spread from him, and the light dimmed. The hands retreated, and soon, we had stepped into shadow again.

"Come." Erebus pulled on my arm, "Let us find a place that is private." He led us to an alcove in the back of the temple away from the crowd, DJ, and flashing lights. After a nod to one of the several servants who trailed behind us, they pulled the silk around us, creating the illusion of a room. The space became intimate and alluring, and he lost no time in pulling me close.

"I will have you now," he declared as he lifted my face to him with a firm grip on my jaw.

My protest died on my lips. I knew that I should say no, but I couldn't. It felt more right to give in. I stared at him, caught in his gaze, as he leaned in to kiss me. I was ready for him and compliant to his probing tongue.

As if by magic, I found myself on all fours on the bed, sapphire-studded train thrown haphazardly over my head so that part of me that Erebus wanted was exposed. He pulled my underwear to the side and buried fingers in me as I moaned loudly at his touch.

Cool air passed over me, and the silk around us ruffled. "Well now, isn't that a pretty sight?" Azza asked no one in particular.

"Azza. Good, you are here. I want to feel her die around my cock. It will be less work if you indulge me."

"Of course, Erebus. I am happy to help."

Azza's power swirled in me and brought me so close, I started to beg. "Azza. Please. Take me over?"

"Not yet. Erebus, feel free to begin wherever you are ready." His voice was cold and calculating, not at all the Azza I knew. Even so, I whimpered at the idea of Erebus buried in me.

He grabbed my hips, and in one fluid motion, slipped inside through my wetness, stretching me to accommodate him. "Ah, yes, she is quite nice," he said as he pulled out. "Tell me, does she like it rough?"

"She has been Lazurus' lover. What do you think?" Azza chuckled. "And, she heals quickly."

Azza and Erebus spoke over me as if I were a thing to be owned and used. Part of me knew this wasn't right. The other part didn't care as long as Erebus continued to plunge into me, even if absentmindedly.

"Perfect!" Erebus approved. "She will be a delight. It's a shame I have to work to get her off whenever I want to feel her die, though."

"I can help with that." Azza's power shifted in me, and I wanted nothing more than to come for Erebus. "I have compelled her to come on command for you."

"Really? How interesting. She is that compliant?" Erebus asked, sliding into me again.

"She is for me. I suppose she hasn't quite grasped that I am now your sister's creature."

"Well, it is a recent development. Regardless, I will reap the spoils." He ground into me, and I called out to him. "Erebus! Please?"

"Yes, Death. Come for me. Now," he demanded.

I slid over the edge at his command. The power in me drained away, following my mysterious connection to Laz as I whispered his name. I tried to track it and learn anything about his condition and location, but I left the world before getting to him.

Olivia...

I came to laying on my back, legs spread wide, being fucked by someone. The train of my dress, still thrown over my head, entangled me. When I fought to get free, I heard Erebus' voice growl, "Magnificent! You are wholly magnificent, Death. Do it again, and I will fuck you harder, I promise."

Azza's energy was no longer with me, and I couldn't tell if he was still with us in the alcove. I might as well have been blindfolded and tied under the weight of all the cloth, jewels, and god. I wanted to break free and sit up, just for a moment. But Azza had bespelled me, so I grasped great handfuls of satin and felt the familiar tightening and loosening of muscles leading to the fulfillment of Erebus' demands.

I panted in rhythm with his thrusts, noises escaping me each time as I inched closer to letting go. When he gave the final order, over I went, again. I searched out Laz and caught a glimpse of him at the end of a long tunnel, but I never got close enough.

Olivia. What...?

My world shook violently as Erebus thrust into me faster and deeper than before. I moaned, my body still ready for his command at a moment's notice. My mind was muddled, a swirl of sex, power, and desperation.

"Once more, Death, and I will release into you, and we will be done for the time being. Build yourself up again and come for me. Scream for me when you do this time."

The tide of raw energy that had ebbed began to swell in me again, washing over me, drowning me in pleasure as the God of Shadow took what he wanted. I did as he told me and screamed for Lazarus. This time, however, I focused everything I had on remaining alive and finding Laz.

I found him in a dimly lit jail cell, sitting on a narrow bed, back against one of the black walls. He had drawn up a leg, and an arm rested on his knee as he hung his head. When I, and my energy, reached him, his head snapped up, and he moaned, falling on his side to receive what I had to give.

Olivia, what are you doin', darlin'? he asked. He must have been able to see me because he looked into my eyes.

I reached for his face, running the back of my ethereal hand across his cheek. Keeping you alive.

He closed his eyes and swallowed. Just let me die. What she does is horrific.

We are going to rescue you, Lazarus. Don't give up! Stay with me!

He nodded, resigned. For you, I will endure, Olivia. I love you.

I love you, too! I began to be pulled back and soon lost sight of him. My heart ached at his words, but I became more determined than ever to get to the man I loved. If I took on the compulsion of being the sex slave of a god, so be it.

Either Erebus had been too busy with his orgasm to notice that I hadn't died, or I had faked it well enough to fool him. I smiled; I had a little leverage now. Azza might have compelled my body to do as Erebus ordered, but my mind was becoming mine again.

Now that Erebus had gotten what he'd wanted, he wasn't as interested in me. I felt the bed move as he pulled off and away. I was weak, helpless to move. I felt gentle hands on me, some cleaning and others working to untangle the dress, pull the train down, and arrange it in a beautiful array on the bed. Several women brought pillows for me to prop up on, while the men brought wine, juice, and plates of food from the buffet.

I downed the sweet juice and tried not to gulp the food, but I was ravenous. I made short work of the first plate but refused the second that someone offered me. I didn't need to get sick. I did, however, take the wine. I hoped it would help calm my nerves.

The first sip brought a stab of homesickness; it was not the hell-wine that belonged to my Lucifer. I drank it anyway, swallowing past the lump in my throat. I handed off the glass to the servant, then began to settle into the pillows, exhausted. A portal opening startled me, and I whirled to find Azza stepping from some dark place into mine.