I grab Cal's shoulders and shake.

"Cal!" I say forcefully "Cal, Wake up!"

Cupid approaches. He brushes his hands against his jeans, wiping a layer of ash into the denim. He crouches down onto the cobbled stones beside me and rolls his eyes.

"My brother," he says "Ever the dramatic one."

I look up at Cupid, my heart racing with worry. He, however, looks completely unconcerned.

"Is he going to be ok?" I ask "What do we do?"

Cupid looks down at Cal. A pained expression crosses his face.

"He'll be fine" he says "He's a trained agent – this shouldn't traumatise him too much."

He sighs.

"Unlike what I'm about to do – which I think I'll have nightmares about for years to come."

Suddenly Cupid grabs Cal's head. The Matchmaking Agent's spring eyes open – wide and fearful. His body begins to convulse again and he grunts in pain.

"Hold him down" Cupid instructs.

I struggle to pin Cal's arms to the ground as Cupid pushes his head to the side so his cheek is flattened against the stones. He looks into his brother's ear; a disgusted expression clear on his face.

Then, in a sudden movement, he plucks out the small microchip – holding the small metallic object between his finger and thumb. Cal stops struggling, and exhales in relief. He rolls onto his back looking marginally embarrassed.

Cupid flicks the chip at his chest.

"There's brother bonding" he says raising an eyebrow "And then there's just downright gross."

He looks at me.

"Lila – you can take the chip out now."

He stands up and puts his hand to his ear. I nod and pull out the alien object from my own.

Instantly I'm back in Cupid's combat training room – crouched down near the dark pink mats. I look over to Cal who is now stood rigidly by us, brushing himself down.

"Are you OK Cal?" I ask him.

"I'm fine." he snaps in response.

I stand up.

"Thank you – for saving me." I continue.

A slight flush of colour appears on his cheeks and he looks at the ground.

"Yeah well" he says sharply "I didn't think you could handle it."

I look to Cupid questioningly and notice an amused expression on his face. He pats his brother on the back – who stands as stiff as ever. Then he looks back at me and grins.

"Not bad for your first attempt" he says "Now...Let's go again."

***

I spend the afternoon with Cupid and Cal in the training room. We go through the Sim three more times, and Cupid shows me how to use a bow and arrow. I even manage to shoot one of the agents on my third attempt.

By early evening time I'm exhausted.

I sit on one of the stools in the kitchen nursing another cup of coffee. Even though nothing in the Sim was real – my body aches from the experience. The rich evening light shines through the glass front of the house; reflecting off an array of arrows scattered across the breakfast bar.  

I watch as the brothers examine them. 

They got changed after training, and Cupid now wears a white v-necked t-shirt under his leather jacket - Cal a grey, turtleneck sweater. Both have a bow slung over their shoulder.

Cupid selects a Capax from the counter.

"I think we should take some of these" he says "Aim to capture one of the Arrows and get them to talk. See what they know about the match and anything they've found out about the Finis."

Cal gives a sharp nod.

I notice he has been even more abrupt than usual after the incident with the Ardor. I suppose he feels embarrassed about getting hurt.

He's about to say something when his phone buzzes; he looks down and purses his lips.

"Crystal" he mutters, staring down at the screen disdainfully before pressing the 'ignore' button and stuffing the phone back into his pocket.

I feel a stab of anger on hearing her name and I wonder if she is calling Cal about her 'assignment' - which I am now convinced is matching my boyfriend.

Cal interrupts my thoughts.

"I don't think it's safe for Lila to stay here" he says "The Arrows might send someone over just in case"

Cupid nods. He rubs his jawline as though he is thinking, then looks at me.

"Any thoughts?"

I hesitate for a moment.

"I...I was thinking of going round to Charlie's" I say.

Cupid looks at Cal, raising his eyebrow in question. The Matchmaking Agent nods.

"That could work" he says seriously "We'll drop you off on our way to meet Selena."

For a moment I feel a clench of guilt.

Is it really a good idea for me and Charlie to follow the brothers? What if I put them in danger by being there?

I sigh internally.

I'll talk it through with Charlie when I see her.

The brothers take a few more minutes to select a range of arrows then Cupid looks at me and grins.

"Time to go!" he says.

***

About fifteen minutes later Cupid parks the Aston Martin outside of Charlie's drive; he turns back in his seat to look at me.

"Stay safe" he says "We'll deal with these Arrows then come back to collect you."

I cast my gaze between him and Cal worriedly.

"Are you sure you'll be OK?" I ask.

Cupid grins.

"We've dealt with worse than this in our time" he says "Plus...they can't kill us without the Finis...which is always a bonus."

I nod then open the door.

Cal still stares straight ahead. I catch sight of his face in the mirror. He seems worried.

I pause then give him what I hope is a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. He tenses momentarily; I sigh and let go, climbing out of the car.

"Good luck." I say, closing the door behind me.

Cupid bends forwards in his seat and waves before driving off down the street. I turn and head to the house as Charlie flings open the front door.

She rushes up to me.

"Are we going to follow them?" she asks beaming.

I frown. I can't put my finger on it but she looks different than usual.

Maybe it's just a new outfit I think, taking in the floaty sundress she is wearing.

I shake my head.

"I'm not sure it's a good idea..." I begin "Can we go inside and talk about it?"

Charlie shrugs and heads back into the house. I follow her to the living room.

"Just a second." she says "I just need to go and get something."

I nod as my best friend exits the room. I'm about to throw myself onto the couch when something catches my eye.

There are a few marks in the wall by the mantelpiece – and on the floor below them is thin dusting of ash. I frown and walk up to them – tracing the holes in the plaster with my finger.

Arrow holes?

My skin prickles.

Something doesn't feel right.

It's then that it comes back to me. What Cupid said on the terrace.

"He said that only cupids or humans who had been shown the arrows could see them..." I whisper to myself.

"That's right" comes a voice from behind.

I spin around.

Charlie stands in front of me, a bow in her hand. In it is strung a single black arrow.

My eyes widen.

The Arrows must have got to her.

My feet are routed to the spot. My stomach plummets.

"I'm sorry Lila" she says calmly "I have to do this. You can't be matched. They told me what would happen if you were."

She pulls her arm back to shoot when there is a flicker of movement behind her.

"Drop the weapon Charlie" comes a familiar voice "You're a cupid now – get pierced by this and you die."

Crystal stands behind her – her eyes blazing fiercely - a cupid's arrow in her hand pressed against Charlie's throat.