Chapter 11

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I linger outside the front door of the house for a moment – feeling the rays of the morning sun on my back. They do nothing to warm me. Even though Cupid and I just parted on light terms, there's a coil of tension, pulled taut between us. I feel it now. Still.

Lila is no longer listed as Cupid's Match.

What does that mean? And how is it related to Valentine?

I need to tell him about my dreams. I formed the words in my mind, just then, to let him know that I spoke to his brother. I wanted to tell him. And yet, as soon as the words reached my lips, I stopped them from escaping into the warm, leather scented air of the car.

Or at least something stopped them.

You might want to keep this conversation between us.

Valentine's words come back to me.

There's a small part of me that wonders whether I'm not telling anyone about him because I don't want to; or whether it's because I physically can't.

I feel like he has some kind of hold on me. I can't shake it. And I don't know why.

"I spoke to Valentine," I whisper to myself on the doorstep.

See, Lila? That wasn't so hard.

I sigh deeply then take a step closer to the red front door. As I shift, I feel the card in my jeans pocket with Mino's number on. I pull it out, look at it a moment. He wants me to call him, he knows I'm hiding something. I could see it in his eyes.

My loyalty will always stand with those in the shadows.

Something might be stopping me from talking to Cupid. But maybe it won't be so hard with Mino. Maybe I should give him a call. But now, I feel the eyes of the cupid who's been stationed outside my house burning into the back of my head. So I slip the card into my pocket, open the door, and step inside.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart," dad calls as soon as I close the front door.

I head down hallway into the kitchen where he's sat at the table with a mug of coffee. His dark hair is even messier than usual, and he has bags beneath his eyes. He clearly hasn't slept well. Something pinches at my heart as he smiles at me.

Even though dad has a new girlfriend, now - the doctor that Cupid and Cal set him up with after our battle with Venus - birthdays aren't easy for either of us. They make us think of mom.

"Thanks, dad," I say – giving him a weak smile.

I pour myself another coffee, slightly cold, from the caffetiere and lean against the counter.

"Good party?" says dad – turning his head to look at me.

We were attacked, I annoyed three vengeful goddesses from the Underworld, and the god of the dead might rise...

"It was OK."

He raises a dark eyebrow, as though he knows I'm not telling the full truth, but the corner of his lip tugs upward slightly.

"I noticed that 'Cupid' fellow dropping you off outside," he says – his intonation suggesting he's digging for some kind of information. "What's his real name?"

"Cupid is his real name," I say, knowing how stupid it sounds.

I stand by what I said earlier – for a secret race of people, the cupids are not very covert.

Dad holds my gaze a minute, then shakes his head softly.

"He must have interesting parents..." he says.

"Yeah...you could say that..." I reply, taking a sip of coffee.

He raises an eyebrow, surprised. "You've met them?"

"His mom," I say – internally shuddering at the memory.

"Not his dad?"

I don't actually know who his dad is. How have I never talked to Cupid about that?

"His dad's not around," I say.

He nods, then pushes his chair back – standing up to his full height.

"I got you a birthday present," he says. "Sorry I didn't wrap it. It was a bit big. But maybe this will mean you don't have to get escorted around by 'love gods' anymore."

He reaches into his back pocket and passes me a set of car keys. My heart leaps.

"You got me a car?!?!?!"

"Don't get too excited," he says, shifting awkwardly, "It's just a second hand one."

He walks to the sink and points out of the window at the battered white Ford Focus I saw earlier. I stand next to him and hug him hard. "Thanks, dad!"

He kisses the top of me head then frowns as he looks out onto the street.

"Is it me or is the person in that bright green Ferrari watching us?"

***

I sit on my bed – Mino's card and my cellphone on the deep pink and black covers in front of me. I've showered and changed into fresh clothes – a pair of light, ripped, boyfriend jeans, and a white tank top - and I feel better than before.

And yet, still...

"I spoke to Valentine," I say softly to the empty room. "I spoke to Valentine."

The memory of him in Mino's warehouse apartment echoes in my mind; his tall, broad frame, his shocking blue eyes, his hands, rough and callused around mine, and his hot masculine scent of salt, sweat and the sea. Something clenches inside me.

I rub my hands over my face, then run my fingers agitatedly through my damp hair.

"Get out of my head!"

I throw myself back against my pillow – blinking hard as I stare at the ceiling.

What am I going to do?

I sit up again. I reach for the card, punch Mino's number into my cell – heart pounding against my ribs. I stare at it. Caught in indecision.

I need to call him. I need to tell someone what's going on.

The Furies are coming tonight to take three innocent souls to the Underworld; and Valentine could have information that could save them. How can I keep this to myself any longer?

I press 'call'.

It rings a couple of times before he picks up.

"I wondered when you'd call, Lila Black." Mino's deep booming voice travels down the phone line. "How can I be of assistance?"

I spoke to Valentine. I spoke to Valentine.

"I...uh...I..."

I spoke to Valentine. I spoke to Valentine.

I take a deep breath.

"I spoke..."

Again, the words get caught. What is wrong with me?!

My heart thrums against my chest, blood rings in my ears. I try again and no words come out.

Mino says nothing for a moment. Then he makes a 'tsking' noise.

"Seems we have a problem here." He pauses. "You've been keeping a secret, haven't you?"

"I..." I begin.

"You asked me earlier about whether anyone other than me could enter people's minds," he says. He pauses. "And I heard you murmuring in your sleep last night. I believe someone, or something, is haunting your dreams. Am I correct?"

Yes. Valentine.

"I...uh..."

"Do you trust me, Lila Black?"

I don't speak for a moment.

Do I trust Mino? Why is he asking me this?

"Yes," I say, finally.

"Good," he replies. I can hear the smile in his voice down the other end of the phone. "Now, ask me to help you."

I pause a moment. Then I resolve myself.

"Help me."

He says nothing for a moment. Then...

"Sleep."

"I..uh..." my eyes suddenly widen, then close.

I fall back onto my pillow, the cell phone dropping from my hand.

Everything goes black.

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