I closed my eyes and felt the deliciousness of Laz's insistence.

"You really do like me givin' you orders, don't you?" He chuckled and held out a hand for me to take.

I recognized the gesture now and slid my hand into his. "Yes," I breathed. "I don't know why, Laz, but it thrills me every time."

"Good. We have somethin' to work with, then."

The waiter interrupted us to take our drink and appetizer order. When he went to the next table, I continued.

"What did you mean, 'Work with?'"

"Well, if you and your Fallen Angels are agreeable, I'd like to pursue you for a relationship."

I perked up and shifted my weight, not able to sit still. "Oh!" I gazed at him. His glamour might have been fading as his power waned, but he still had power over me. "I'd—I'd like that, Laz."

"No more guilt about wantin' me, hon?" He placed his other hand over mine and squeezed it gently.

I repeated the movement, stacking my hand on top. "No. I, umm, like it when they hand me off to you."

"Whose idea was this afternoon, Olivia?" he asked in the voice that brought butterflies to my stomach.

"Mine," I whispered. "Azza was desperate to make up after the morning's events with Nyx, and Lucifer asked me to tell them exactly what I wanted. It was what came to mind."

"I must admit, hon, I feel a little smug and possessive knowin' you think of me when you're with them."

"And I'll admit that I was jealous with called the hostess, 'darlin'.'"

He chuckled, "Fair enough."

We sat in silence for a moment. He turned the conversation. "So, He's told me that I could have up to six months to train you to collect souls."

"You talked to Him today?"

"Yes. I suspect He's checkin' up on you and your Fallen Angels, and He'll likely talk to me every day."

"Do you think that He'll let you stay at the end of six months?"

"I think so. Charlie says that He did with the other Deaths."

"What happens to us if we develop a relationship and He doesn't let you stay?"

"You're Death. You can travel anywhere."

"Point taken."

"What about your life? Are you still immortal?"

He looked at our hands and cleared his throat. "I've asked Him, but He's been vague. I have a feeling that I will become mortal once your trainin' is complete."

My stomach sank. We were just beginning a relationship, and the prospect of it ending, even if years down the road, was depressing. We lapsed into another silence until our drinks arrived. I'd opted for a white wine that I'd just sip and try not to spit out until Lucifer could snap me some hell-wine. Laz had opted for an imported beer.

He leaned back and changed the conversation, taking a swig from his bottle. "You know, you did well tonight, darlin'. I know you've done it before, sort of, but this was your first in office. I think we should celebrate."

"Celebrate?"

"Yeah, actually," he said, leaning forward again. "I thought we might pick out your first horse."

"Horse?"

"You can't be a Horseman of the Apocalypse without a horse, Olivia."

I paused, wine glass to my mouth before I set it down again. "You mean like, a horse horse? I don't know how to ride!"

"No, not an actual horse, though, I suppose, if you wanted it to be, it could be. No, what we've done in modern times is to choose a vehicle. When the need arises, it transforms into a horse, one that you can't fall off of, in case you're wonderin'."

I blinked. I felt the laughter bubble up and spill out until I had tears in my eyes. Laz simply grinned and watched, waiting for the explanation.

"So, your motorcycle. Please, please tell me that's your horse." I whipped my eyes.

"Yeah, she is. What of it?"

I chuckled some more. "When I first met you, I commented to Azza that I thought you should be more Ghostrider-ish. Now, all I need to hear is you had a flaming head!"

He grinned, eyes crinkling in the corners. I'd never noticed them do that before. That's sexy as Hell.

"Maybe I did."

The thought set me off again. I tried not to disturb those around us, but I wasn't very successful. "Oh Hell, this is too much! How cliché can you get?"

He winked at me then wagged his finger. "I'll have you know Ghostrider is not Death! He's a bounty hunter and works for the demon Mephistopheles. Plus, he's fictional..."

His voice trailed off as he looked past me. I turned to see my two Fallen Angels coming into the bar to join us. I smiled at how out of place they looked in their bespoke suits and crisp shirts; more than one head turned to take them in. They spotted us in our booth and indicated to the hostess they would join us.

Azza plopped down beside Laz on his side. Lucifer leaned and kissed me before sliding in beside me.

Lucifer smirked at me. "I am sorry we are late. How was your date with Laz, love? You seem cheerful."

I blushed to which Lucifer and Azza chuckled.

"Thank you for the hand-off, gentlemen," Laz said, tipping his bottle to them.

I blushed deeper, feeling my ears burn. It only made the three of them laugh.

The waiter interrupted us long enough to take the orders of my Fallen Angels. Despite their attire, they weren't about to pass up the opportunity of a burger, sloppy though it was.

I cleared my throat. "Laz wants to celebrate my collection tonight by taking me to find my first horse. You two want to come?"

"Oooo... car shopping! I'm all in." Azza beamed. I wasn't surprised he thought it sounded like fun.

Lucifer nodded. "Perhaps I can be of assistance. What kind of car are you thinking about?"

"I hadn't thought about it. I mean, what if I don't want a car? What if I want a bike like Laz? And to wear leather and shit?"

Azza coughed, choking on his drink. "Oh, dear God, help me."

I felt a tendril of power from him. He liked the idea. A lot.

Lucifer chuckled. "You can have whatever you want, love. Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?"

"Well, no," I admitted. "But, I have... a long time to learn." The three of them nodded. "Honestly, I think a car would suit me better."

Laz encouraged the conversation. "What kind of car? It should fit the office."

"Hmm," I grinned. "What if I want to be an environmentally conscious Death? How about a Prius?"

Lucifer coughed-laughed and tried to keep a straight face. "If that is what you want, we can look..."

I elbowed him. "I'm just kidding! No, I want fast, lean, and shiny, shiny red," I explained with glee.

"Actually," Laz held up a finger, "tradition holds that you ride a 'pale horse,' darlin'."

I wrinkled my nose. "Ew. I hate white cars."

Laz snickered. "Doesn't have to be white, just pale. You know, like Prius powder blue."

Azza's shoulders shook with barely contained humor. "How about a pink Cadillac?" He snorted, which only made Lucifer chuckle harder.

I swatted Lucifer's arm. "Come on! I'm serious now! I don't like white cars."

Lucifer took out his phone and texted for a few minutes. When he finished, he grinned at me. "How about pale, fast, lean, and still environmentally conscious?"

"Oh! Hey, that could work!" I agreed.

"Good. We have a private appointment in two hours with Atlanta's Tesla dealership."

My eyes widened, and I couldn't help but smile. "A Tesla? You mean the electric car that's up there with Bugatti and Lamborghini?"

"The one and only." Lucifer grinned at my excitement.

I hugged his arm and tried not to squeal.

He kissed my head as the waiter brought our food. The three of them began telling me stories of when they'd first met until I was breathless from laughter.

Lucifer checked the time. "We had better go if we are going to go to the dealership since we are driving."

I nodded and tapped his arm. "I need to head to the bathroom, love."

He let me out, and I went to do my business, trying to ignore the heads turning to follow me as I walked across the bar floor.

When I came out of the bathroom, I found my way blocked by two men.

"Well, darlin', you are a sight for sore eyes," one of them said to me. I didn't appreciate his version of, 'darlin'.'

"Let me by," I insisted. "I'm not interested."

The other man stepped in, "Aw, now don't be that way. We just want to talk."

I put my hand up and took a step back. "I'm not interested in talking with either of you."

They pressed in, and I found myself up against the wall in the dark alcove leading to the women's bathroom. I knew that there was only so much they could do in such a public place, but I was still frightened.

One leaned into me, putting a hand on the wall beside my head. I looked at him and caught his eye. He froze, and I remembered that I now had the gift of compulsion.

"Stop," I ordered him. "Back up and give me room."

He obeyed immediately. His friend protested. "Aww, man, we didn't even get her number yet." However, he let me pass, following his buddy's example.

I squeezed past them, nearly crashing into Lucifer, Azza, and Laz. All three scowled, each looking fierce.

"Are you okay, love?" Lucifer asked, glaring at the two men who had harassed me.

I put my hand on his arm. "Yes, I'm okay. I had to compel them to let me pass, but I'm fine."

Lucifer's nostrils flared, and he stepped forward to touch each man on a shoulder. He stayed that way for a heartbeat, and I felt two shifts in energy in the air. He'd made a deal with each of them. He let go of them, and they smiled, tipped their head in my direction, and sauntered away.

Lucifer turned back to me, eyes smoldering. "They won't bother you, or any other woman, like that again, love."

I smiled weakly. "Thank you, Lucifer, but," I looked at Laz. "I need to know how to use my new powers to defend myself, I think."

He nodded at me. "I will teach you, darlin'. Compulsion is usually enough, but there are other ways you can intimidate. You also have the right to take their souls. You are Death, and the decision lies with you."

My eyes widened. "I—I can kill anyone I chose?"

"No, not quite. There are consequences with each unexpected death. It is the last resort. You have to weigh things carefully; is taking their life worth not enduring whatever it is they'd do to you, knowing you will heal in hours and cannot die?"

My eyes narrowed. "Clearly, Laz, you have never been threatened with rape. There are ways to damage someone other than fighting."

His face softened, and he stepped to me, cupping my face. He looked into my eyes. "Yes, of course, you are right, Olivia. I'm sorry."

Lucifer cleared his throat. "We are drawing attention. We should go."

Laz looked around. Our side of the bar had gone quiet, and we were the focus of all eyes.

"Shall we?" Laz said, giving me his arm.

I smiled weakly and took it. "Yes. Let's go buy a horse."