"Let it happen, Olivia. It's okay," Azza urged.

"Let what...?" Before I could finish the question, the smoke enveloped me and squeezed until I screamed. It rushed into my open mouth, cutting off my voice as it filled my lungs and permeated my body. A power filled me, one that was as smooth and strong as the silk draping the Temple. I felt overwhelmed long before it had finished pouring into me, and I curled in on myself when it felt like I would burst open. I wrapped my arms around my body and rocked as the power rose. When it stopped, I whimpered at the feel of it settling into me.

"Olivia, love..." Lucifer said.

I opened my eyes to see a pair of beautiful Italian leather shoes in front of me. I looked up at my Fallen Angel, black wings unfurled in all his glory, holding his hand out to me.

"Come, Olivia, stand with me?"

I knew he was asking for more than just staggering to my feet. I looked at his outstretched hand and smiled. I took it, as I would always take it, and he helped me get on my feet. I followed him up the small dais step to the throne.

"You have a choice, Olivia. You can deny the power which has settled into you and return to your ordinary life, or you can embrace it and become the Mother of the Night, with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities therein."

My eyes went wide, and I stared at him. "I don't understand."

"The power has claimed you as its next host. If you do not claim it in return, it will leave you and find another."

I gasped. "Someone in this room?" I looked around at the seven remaining Priests, Priestesses, and worshippers, all waiting to celebrate or attack. "How do we know that someone wouldn't be, or become, as bad as Nyx?" I whispered.

He nodded once. "You see the dilemma quickly."

I swallowed. I wasn't sure I wanted to be the next Mother of the Night. But, on the other hand, I hadn't wanted to be Death either. I remembered that Nyx was going to challenge Lucifer. "If Nyx was going to challenge you, that means there are likely others, aren't there?"

"Yes," he answered simply. He was doing his best to allow me to make the decision myself.

But, once I understood that he would need help, the decision was easy. I smiled at him and moved to the Throne. There, I sat, taking my place. He gave me a wry grin before releasing my hand and stood beside me. Azza, stoic and alert, moved to take up a position slightly behind him.

Lazarus came and bowed, his body no longer broken or covered with blood. He held out a hand to me and kissed my fingers when I placed mine in his. "Congratulations, darlin'. You are an excellent choice." He smiled again and moved to the other side.

To my surprise, Erebus came and knelt to me, head bowed. I looked up at Lucifer in surprise. He nodded to me, and I turned back to Erebus. "Erebus..." I held out a hand to him, making sure my palm was down for him to take.

He took it in both of his hands and kissed the back of it before raising his head and looking me in the eye. "As the God of Shadow, I will assist you in whatever manner I can."

"I will be relying on you, Erebus, to help me learn my role," I said, squeezing his hand.

He grinned and kissed my hand again. "It will be my pleasure, and I hope yours, too. But, for now, let me announce you? They are waiting to meet you."

I nodded, and he stood. "Worshippers of the Night! We have witnessed the transfer of our Goddess tonight! Her power has chosen another and has been reborn! Come and celebrate our new Mother of the Night!"

All eyes turned to me, and there was a pregnant pause. Then, one by one, the Priests and Priestesses fell to their knees and bowed to me. "All Hail the Mother!" they cried. The Temple's music blared once more as a great cry lifted from the crowd as they slipped back into their ecstatic dance.

I blinked at Erebus, who grinned widely. "Is that it?" I asked loudly, making myself heard over the music. "Just like that, they accept me?"

He inclined his head and leaned in to speak. "Just like that. Remember that they have never seen a transfer of power before. They don't know this is an unusual thing." He stepped aside. "Now, accept the worship of your leadership."

Each Priest and Priestess came and knelt to me, swearing their loyalty. The last of them, Xavier, groveled, head to the floor, at my feet. "Mother..." was all he could manage to get out.

"Kneel up, Xavier," I beckoned, and he rose on his knees. I looked him in the eye. "I will need someone to help inform me about the people around me, someone who can work with Erebus to help me become familiar with my new role and duties. Are you such a person?"

His eyes widened in surprise, and his breath quickened. "Yes, Mother! I would be honored."

"Good. We will meet in the next few days. Can you make yourself available?"

"Yes, Mother," he said, nodding enthusiastically.

"Be thinking of who I might choose to replace Priest Nicco. I want someone who will be good to my people."

Again, he nodded. "Yes, Mother."

"Now, go and celebrate with the others." I dismissed him with a nod of my head.

He scrambled away, grinning and dancing his way toward a small conglomerate of people. Once there, a woman embraced him, and they began to talk excitedly.

I looked at Erebus. "How long do I have to stay? I'm tired, and I've missed my loves."

He smiled. "No one expects you to do anything other than what you want, Olivia. Perhaps we take a break in Lucifer's domain?"

I turned to Lucifer. "Is Laz welcome in Hell? In your bedroom? I—I am exhausted, and I need time to rest outside time. I would like to sleep held in all of your arms."

"Lazarus is welcome to be wherever you are tonight, love," Lucifer said, smiling at me.

I looked at Laz. "Will you come with us?"

He grinned and held a hand out to me. "I want to be with you, Olivia. Of course, I will come, darlin'."

I turned again. Azza bowed his head, and he looked at the floor. I stood and went to him.

"Azza..." I began.

He held up a hand. "I understand, Olivia. I will go. Call me when you need me." He stepped off the dais.

"Azza! Wait!" I reached for his arm, catching him.

He stopped but didn't turn. "It's okay, Olivia. I have done some horrible things these last several days. I'm hoping that you will be able to forgive me at some point." He began to walk away, pulling out of my grip.

"Azza! I love you!" I called after him. "Spend the night with me? With us?"

He turned to look at me, eyebrows raised in surprise. "You want me? After all this?"

I stepped down and went to him. I reached up and rested a hand on his cheek. "Yes, I do. I don't understand all of it, but I know you will explain. But, for tonight, will you be with us? Hold me? With them?"

Tears welled in his eyes as he reached and clutched me to him.

"Wrap me up, Azza," I requested as I melted into him. He complied, bringing his pearlescent wings around to embrace me. We stood for some time, just enjoying each other's presence until I could feel Lucifer waiting behind me.

Azza opened his wings and furled them, looking at Lucifer. I stepped away into Laz's waiting arms, which he wrapped around me from behind, and we watched my two Fallen Angels. Lucifer stepped to Azza, grabbed the back of his head, and pulled him into a deep kiss. Azza stiffened for a moment, but Lucifer wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him close.

Azza came undone and melted into him, returning the kiss enthusiastically. When it broke, Lucifer kept their foreheads touching. "I love you, Azza. You did well."

Azza slowly dropped to his knees, and Lucifer let him kneel. My heart skipped a beat as I realized what I was seeing.

"Lucifer, I pledge myself to you as your creature. Sovereignty before authority. Please accept me." Tears ran down his face as he pleaded.

Lucifer held out the hand with the enormous ring of his office. Azza took it and kissed it.

"Sovereignty before authority, Azza. I have always counted you as mine."

Azza touched the ring to his forehead and sobbed out a breath before looking up with a tear-streaked face. "I love you."

Lucifer ran a hand over Azza's short hair. "And I, you."

I watched as the tattoo of the moon and owl faded from his chest to be replaced by the angelic script of Lucier's declaration. He lowered his head as the ink settled into his skin before glancing at me.

He looked up at Lucifer. "Let me serve your Consort again?"

"If she will have you, I would expect nothing less, Watcher."

I pulled gently away from Laz to take a few steps toward Azza.

He turned on a knee to me, reaching for a hand. "I will serve you, Olivia if you will have me. Whatever you need, wherever you are, I will provide to the best of my abilities."

"I love you, Azza. I can't think of any life without you in it. Of course, if Lucifer deems it fit, serve me."

He jumped to his feet and pulled me close, finding my mouth with his. He kissed me deeply and thoroughly, burying one hand in my hair and snaking the other around to crush me to him. I returned his enthusiasm, taking his head in my hands and searching out his tongue, showing him rather than telling him I forgave him.

I was panting when he pulled away. He smiled at me and kissed my forehead. "I think there is someone else who is waiting for you, Olivia," he said, indicating Laz with a nod. He stepped back and handed me off to Death.

I went to him. "Lazarus. Death. I love you," I told him as I hugged him tightly.

He buried his face against my neck, pushing under my hair. "I love you, too, Olivia. When Azza told me what was happenin', I knew that you would come for me, darlin'. Thank you."

"Yes. I wasn't about to let Nyx take you from me. I don't understand everything that has happened, though."

He pulled back and cupped my face in his hands. "We'll talk about it tomorrow. Tonight? Sleep in my arms?"

I nodded, the world becoming a watery blend of reds, blacks, and Lazarus. "Please?"

"Yes, darlin'. I would like nothin' better." He kissed me gently, barely a whisper against my lips, teasing.

"Kiss me, Laz. Please?"

He hummed. "You know how much I love it when you beg, Olivia." He licked his way into my mouth, claiming my tongue as his. I was happy to give it to him as I moaned into his mouth.

Too soon, he ended the kiss, and the world returned. He took my hand and stepped to my other loves, handing me off to Lucifer. "I vote for gettin' out of here. I'm not sure I want to see the Temple of the Night again any time soon," he said as Lucifer took me from him.

"Shall we go home, love?" Lucifer said with a snap, opening a portal to his bedroom.