I was withdrawn for the rest of the meal and couldn't seem to shake my mood. Guilt gnawed at me because Lucifer and Azza were more concerned about me than about visiting with their friends. When Lilith and Eve tempted me with an extra symphony ticket for the night, I jumped at the chance to go out, even if I would be the third wheel. I wanted Lucifer and Azza to relax and enjoy themselves.

We sent Lucifer and Azza back to the apartment by portal as we headed to the performance in the car. At the end of the evening, I was in a much better mood, bolstered by an excellent orchestra, several glasses of champagne that rivaled hell-bubbly, and Eve's wicked sense of humor. By the time we arrived home, my face hurt from smiling so often.

We found the seven of them all out on the terrace enjoying port, bourdon, and cigars. "What happened to your card game?" I laughed as I hugged Azza.

"Oh, we're just taking a break. Death dropped his retirement bomb on the table about thirty minutes ago, and no one could concentrate enough to play," he explained, kissing me lightly.

Lucifer opened his arms for me, and Azza handed me off so I could step into his embrace. His kiss was much more insistent. I hesitated at first but returned it enthusiastically after a moment. "I can tell everyone to go home," he tempted when we parted, breath shallow.

I laughed and swatted at him playfully. "Don't be silly. Enjoy the time with your friends! However, I think Lilith and Eve may be heading back to Hell soon." I nodded toward the two lovebirds with their heads together, whispering. As if on cue, Lilith inclined her head to Eve and then rose, smoothing out her dress and rearranging her curls.

"We are going to go home and get in the hot tub, Lucifer," she announced to her brother. She turned to me and offered an embrace, which I gladly accepted. "Olivia, it was a delight to have you with us this evening. We should spend more time together!"

"I'd like that!" I agreed.

They made their rounds and said goodbye. The Horsemen were beginning to wander back inside to the table, leaving Lucifer, Azza, and I on the terrace alone.

"Do you want to play a game or two, love?" Lucifer asked me, kissing my fingers as Azza played with my hair.

"No, I don't think so. I'd rather have a hot bath with a good book for a bit."

Azza stepped closer, pressing against my back. "Bath?" Had I asked, he would have ditched his friends for some time in the water with me.

I shooed him away. "Go and play poker, Azza. The tub will be there later."

He chuckled, kissed my cheek, and made his way inside.

"Are you truly okay, Olivia?" Lucifer asked, cupping my chin with a hand.

"Yes, Lucifer, I am. Truly. Now snap me up a hot tub of water and let me soak. I'll wander out when I'm done and check on you."

He snapped softly, and I knew steaming, rose-scented water surrounded by candles was waiting for me. He took my hand in his as we made our way back inside, parting ways in the doorway of the dining room turned poker hall.

I smiled as I undressed, hanging the dress and returning the jewelry to its boxes before grabbing my eReader from the nightstand. I twisted up my hair and clipped it in place to keep it out of the water. I sighed as I slipped into the hot tub. It was perfect.

A sound of metal on tile grabbed my attention. I found a flute and a silver bucket containing a bottle of chilled champagne on ice that had replaced some of the candles. I poured, sipped, and read until the bath had cooled. I didn't want to get out, but I had promised them I would. Dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, I made my way toward their laughter, drink in hand.

"Hello, love," Lucifer said to me as I nestled myself into his lap.

"Hi yourself! Having fun?" I asked, sipping.

"Azza just called Pest's bluff, and it paid off. He now owns a yacht! Pest is not happy." Lucifer, on the other hand, was downright gleeful.

Azza swept the chips toward him and plucked out a set of keys. "I've always loved this one!"

Pest's scowl deepened before he flung himself out of his chair. "I'm going home!" He looked at War. "Are you coming?"

War rolled his eyes. "Pest, don't be an ass. It's just a damned boat. It's not like you don't have others."

Pest crossed his arms and glared. "Yeah, but they're not my favorite!"

"You're acting like a child, Pest," Famine said. "Spare us. You can either grow up and sit down or take your attitude and go home."

Pest gaped at her before turning indignant. He waved a hand, and a white-rimmed portal opened onto a moonlit beach with crashing surf. He marched through it, and it shut behind him.

War looked at the ceiling. "Oh, for fuck's sake. I need to go after him, or else I'll never hear the end of it."

"You shouldn't indulge him, War," Famine insisted.

"Yeah, yeah. I know. But, well, all's fair in love and war, is it not?" he countered before waving open his black-rimmed portal to the beach. We could see Pest in the distance, sitting and waiting for War to arrive. War stepped through, and it closed, cutting off the sights, sounds, and smells of their paradise.

Famine sighed, and Osmond began to collect her chips. "Well, on that note, I think I have had my fill for the night. We will take our leave."

"Take the Macallan scotch with you," Lucifer insisted, standing as I slid out of his lap for him to say goodbye to his guests.

"Yes, thank you. It's quite good!" Famine said, taking it from Azza when he handed her the bottle of amber liquid. She and Osmond disappeared through a yellow-rimmed portal, leaving me with Lucifer, Azza, and Laz.

"Are you guys going to keep drinking, or do you want me to start a pot of coffee?" I asked, padding toward the kitchen. Either way, I am having something hot to drink.

"I'd love some coffee, if you please," Laz called to me.

By the time the pot finished brewing, Lucifer had returned the dining room to normal, and the three of them were out on the terrace, talking. Lucifer had created his special little portal in the glass door for George. She trotted back into the apartment, meowing at me as she passed. I stopped to pet her before I went out.

"There was somethin' I asked for that He said yes to when to see Him," Laz was explaining.

"Oh? You made more headway than I. Of course, he does not hate you," Lucifer pointed out. "What deal did you make?"

"No bargain. I just asked if I could enlist humans for the search. He was reluctant at first but finally agreed to me havin' one, and only if they volunteer." Laz paced. "One! How the Hell is one supposed to help? I need a damned army of volunteers!"

Lucifer smiled at me, pushing a curl back over my shoulder as I balanced on his knee, drinking coffee. "I won all of Hell with the help of just one."

"All of Hell?" Laz's eyes were wide as he swung his gaze toward me. "What did you do?"

"Olivia helped Lucifer complete his test," Azza explained.

"You mean the trial that decides he's fit to rule Hell?" Laz stared intently.

"Yes. He had tasked me with finding someone to collect the corrupt Seven Virtues. I was not allowed to help beyond declaring the offered soul to be a Virtue or not." Lucifer beamed at me, proud of my accomplishment. "Olivia did an exemplary job."

Laz narrowed his eyes and sat at the table opposite Azza. "What did you get out of it?" he demanded.

I gave the condensed version. "Well, several years ago, I made a soul deal with Lucifer in exchange for Deirdre. After she died—"

"Wait... Deirdre is dead?"

"She was," Lucifer said cautiously. "Let Olivia finish, and I will explain."

I cupped the warm drink and continued. "When Deirdre died, Lucifer came to me and offered me a second deal— "

"You did what?" Laz gaped as his friend.

"He offered me a second deal," I repeated. "He would give me back my soul if I could bring him the souls of the corrupted Seven Virtues. Only, I played hardball and threw in getting Deirdre back, too."

Laz focused all of his intention on Lucifer. "You didn't."

"I did," Lucifer countered. "I would do it again, too."

"You brought her back to life?" He threw himself from the chair, raving. "You know that's not how it works, Lucifer!" He gestured wildly, punctuating his words with his movements. "Once you have a soul of the deceased, they stay with you in Hell! That's the rule!"

Lucifer shifted his weight under me. "Deirdre wasn't in Hell."

Death whirled and faced him, mouth falling open. "You—you convinced Him to allow you to bring her back? How in the Hell did you manage that?"

"Let us just say a price was paid," Lucifer said, unwilling to rehash the trauma he experienced from bargaining with Him.

Laz pulled out his phone as he asked. "You brought her back? As in she's living again? He permitted you to do that?"

"He did, and I did," Lucifer answered.

Death paused for a breath, phone in hand. He blinked once before punching a number to speed dial someone and walked away to have the conversation.

I looked from Lucifer to Azza, butterflies in my stomach. I set down my coffee, no longer interested as my insides quivered. "Is there something wrong with Deirdre?" I implored, fear shooting through me. "Please tell me there's nothing wrong with my daughter!"

Strong arms enveloped me. "Everything is fine, Olivia. Try to breathe," he instructed, attempting to help me quell the rising panic. I pushed away and slid off his knee to do some pacing of my own.

Laz ended his call and returned to sit heavily in his chair. "I... wouldn't necessarily say everythin' is okay, Lucifer," he said, leaning forward to put his elbows on his knees.

I gasped. "What does he mean?" I demanded of Lucifer before whirling on Death to ask the same question. "What do you mean? What's wrong with Deirdre?"

Laz threw up his hands as if to ward me off. "Nothin' is wrong with her!"

"But..." I began, knowing there was one coming.

"But... remember how I said I have to find someone who didn't exist to take my place?"

"Lazarus," Lucifer warned Death, "do not pursue this."

"What the fuck choice do I have, Lucifer?" Laz said, jumping up again. "You are the one who put this in motion!"

"You will not!" Lucifer slammed a fist on the table, making my abandoned coffee splash.

"Will not what?" I shouted. "Someone tell me what in Hell is going on! Right now!"

Death spun me by the shoulders to face him. "Deirdre. Because she has been resurrected... she... oh, darlin', I'm so sorry, but she has no record. Her file does not exist. Do you know what that means?"

My knees crumbled. Death caught me in his arms as I fell, and I clung to him. "Tell me it's not true!" I begged.

"I'm sorry, Olivia, but Deirdre? She could be the next Death."