The remaining collections, which got handed off to Peter, were relatively routine, if tedious, because of the wait. I had nothing more to bargain with, so Nyx refused to allow Lucifer to dress me. Erebus came to my rescue with a simple but alluring black leather halter and skirt combo. Paired with the red shoes of the night before and with my hair piled on top of my head, even I had to admit I looked sexy as Hell.

I paced anxiously, wanting to begin the evening but also dreading it. I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to save Laz, but I knew I had to try. I wanted Nyx and Nicco, too, but if I was honest with myself, Laz was my top priority. Eventually, the march of time brought sunset and the beginning of the third night.

Where the atmosphere of the first night was lust and the second one fear, the third night was one of anticipation. The energy of the Temple buzzed, and, from the moment we entered, respectful inclines of owl-masked heads greeted me. We didn't even have to fight for the sitting area we wanted; the occupants simply vacated when we paused in front of it.

The main difference in the Temple was the change of color. Instead of pools of inky blackness, now there were silks in red, mimicking rivers of blood flowing from the ceiling to the floor. Music played, but the DJ was no longer prominent. The Altar of the Night still held the place of honor in the center of the room.

Erebus, Charles, and I had just gotten settled with glasses of deep red wine when the music faded. The eight High Priests and Priestesses stepped into the pools of red light surrounding the altar, each one in front of an ornate chair, four to a side. The clip of Nyx's heels echoed through the Temple as she took her place at the head of the altar, standing before her raised throne.

By some unseen cue, the eight simultaneously knelt to honor her. In unison, they recited, "Mother, we pledge ourselves to your worship that we might bring you honor. We celebrate your renewal this night, your night, and watch in awe as you transform once again to lead us."

Nyx raised her arms. "Rise my children to worship me, and I shall make you powerful!"

The music rose, a slow beat at first, and the Priest, Priestesses, and congregants began to sway. As the tempo quickened and the volume increased, the worshipper's dancing became frenzied. It wasn't until a collective shout rose that the music settled into an ecstatic rhythm that everyone except us rode.

Nyx sat as Nicco shuffled worshippers, both as singles and in groups, before her and her night-worshiping clergy to dance. I watched, fascinated, as a red haze rose off of the supplicants and trickled into her. It was nearly identical to the energy I'd seen transfer from Laz to her when she carved the sigils in his flesh and night before; I could only assume it was life force.

It seemed like an eternity passed as her worshippers gave of themselves, but she allowed them to sacrifice to her. Only when Nicco indicated the procession was complete did Nyx move. She waved a hand, and, from the shadows, Azza came with Lazarus.

My breath caught as Lazarus, walking freely and alert, came to kneel at her feet. My eyes widened as he leaned into her touch when she leaned forward to caress his face.

"My Lazarus," Nyx purred. "How long I have waited for you to worship me."

He bowed his head. "You have shown me the Night, my Goddess, and I wish to worship now. I have millennia to make up for."

"Yes. You are no longer His creature but mine. Tell me, do you consent to our ritual tonight?"

Tears welled in my eyes as he nodded. "I have lived a long life, Nyx. I am glad that my death, here, at last, will benefit you." He raised his head to look her in the eye. I was shocked by the look of devotion on his face. "Let me die for you, Mother."

She smiled as she ran a hand down his cheek. "And let me live on, with your sacrifice, Lazarus."

He nodded and stood, moving to the Altar of the Night. He took his place on it, but no ropes snaked up to hold him in place. His submission to the ritual was genuine and heartfelt. I covered my mouth to keep in the sob that threatened; I didn't understand how he could have become hers.

From the foot of the altar, Nicco lifted an ornate box. He opened it and presented it, along with the dagger it contained, to Nyx. She took the knife and made her way to Lazarus, perching herself on the edge of the altar beside his hip. She glanced up at Azza, and he nodded, taking a seat on her throne. When Nyx started to carve a sigil into Lazarus' chest, he began to moan as Azza again turned the pain into pleasure for him.

I watched in horror for several moments before I felt Azza's power grow in me. Erebus tugged me toward the bed, and I had just enough time to lean back onto his chest as he lay against the pillows before I spilled over into a shattering orgasm. "Lazarus!" I shouted as I crashed over, and I sent what I had to him.

The night became a sick cycle of give and take between Lazarus, Nyx, Azza, and I. I thought it would never end until Nicco shouted, "Mother! The moon is full, and it is midnight! It's time!" He spun away and joined the ecstatic dancers, losing himself to the night.

At his word, Nyx plunged the dagger into Laz's chest as Azza brought him once more, masking the pain with pleasure until he passed out. She yanked out the weapon, and blood poured from the wound, joining the rest of his blood shed for her.

I felt Erebus' hand snake around and gag me. "Shh. Don't cry out, Olivia. You will need stealth in a moment."

I nodded as I continued to watch, heart pounding in my chest, making up for the fact my voice was silent.

Nyx smiled at Azza and strutted to him. He held a hand out for her, welcoming her into his lap as he sat on the throne. She straddled him as they kissed, and she threw her head back when he gave her her first orgasm. He waited only a few moments for her to gather her wits before he took her over again. The third came even faster.

It was then that he caught my eyes, and I knew it was time to collect Laz. I made my way to his side as quickly and quietly as I could and took his hand. He stirred and looked at me, his eyes gleaming.

"Collect me, Olivia."

Tears ran down my face. "Please tell me that you and Azza have a plan after this?" I whispered.

He nodded. "Trust us."

"I do. I trust you."

"Good. Now, collect me." He closed his eyes and let loose his last breath. I felt his soul detach and begin to slide into my possession.

"Azza! No!" Nyx shouted.

I glanced over and saw my Fallen Angel, his face red and body shaking with effort, grab either side of her face.

She moaned, then screamed as he pumped energy into her, holding her on the edge. Once more, he caught my eye and nodded.

I pulled Laz's soul from his body, and he came with me, smiling.

Nyx screamed in pleasure as Azza took her over once more. She collapsed onto him, limp, and I saw him press her body to him. She shook through one swift orgasm after another, Azza draining her with each until, with one last spasm, he let her slide from his lap. There was a sickening crack as her head bounced on the floor.

"Mother!" Nicco shouted, and he launched himself toward Azza. Charles quickly caught his wrist and throat and ripped his soul from him, holding it fast. Lucifer's portal opened, and he stepped through, taking Nicco from Charles and dragging him through into Hell.

The Temple had gone silent, everyone waiting for whatever conclusion there would be. A red haze began to collect above Nyx's body until it formed an image of the full moon that governed the ritual.

It hovered and pulsed, and I held my breath, waiting for whatever came next. It became fuzzy, and the energy it contained snaked like smoke toward Nyx's body.

"No!" I whispered. "Charles!" I screamed in the next breath, holding out Laz's hand to him. He came running to take it as I focused on Nyx. I knew in my gut if the smoke continued to fill her, it would resurrect her. I couldn't let that happen; Laz's death would be for no reason, and Lucifer's realm would be in jeopardy.

I scrambled and found the dagger she'd used to kill Lazarus. In a revenge-fueled rage, I fell next to her and stabbed down through her chest. When the smoke didn't stop, I thrust the dagger into her repeatedly until I finally hit her heart, the place of her power, even in death. The smoke stopped and began to curl above her again, and I felt an enormous sense of relief.

"Olivia!" Laz shouted to get my attention. "Retire!"

My brown furrowed; I didn't understand what he was saying. I turned to see him pulling Charles behind him, making his way to me. "Retire, Death! I'm willin'. It's the only way this works. We can't let her energy go free, sweetheart. Trust me."

I still didn't understand, but I knew I trusted him, all of them, with my life. I took a deep breath and shouted, "I retire!"

We felt as much as we heard the thunderclap that acknowledged my choice.

"Ask me, darlin'," Laz encouraged.

I nodded. "Lazarus. Come, be Death Incarnate!" I stretched out my hand to him.

He smiled and took it. "I accept!"

I was glad that I was already on the floor. Once again, the exchange locked us together as the wind whipped through the Temple, making the silk wave in great rivers of crimson. Worshippers huddled together, waiting to see the outcome, too frightened to move.

I felt power drain from me and pass through our clasped hands. It forced him to his knees with a deep moan. He pulled away as soon as the exchange was complete, and I heard him gasp as he came back to life.

Panting with exhaustion, kneeling beside Nyx, body, I raised my head to see the red smoke swirling above me. My eyes widened, and I tried not to panic as it spiraled around me. "Azza? What's happening?"