When Charlie and I walk into the Cupids Matchmaking Service cafeteria, Cupid and Cal are already sat at one of the tables.

Cupid is sprawled back on one of the chairs, hands crossed behind his head, looking up at the high ceiling. It's an attempt to look casual, but I can see the tension in his arm muscles from here. Cal's eyes are directed at the door – but they don't see us, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. On Amena, I'm guessing.

I don't think I can stand the awkwardness.

"I'm going to get a coffee." I look at Charlie. "Want one?"

She nods and we part ways as I head to the line of cupids behind the coffee machine. I let the chatter and scent of coffee beans wash over me as my mind reels over the past twenty-four hours. This is all such a mess.

I want you to come to the Underworld to get me.

I glance at the plastic clock hung ono the wall. It's almost five.

With all the drama with Valentine, I'd almost forgotten that the Furies would be coming at midnight. And – with a pang of sadness – that Cupid was meant to be taking me on a date. We were supposed to face this thing together. And now he won't even talk to me.

When I've got the coffees, I take them over to the round table – setting myself down next to Charlie. Cal looks at me and inclines his head sharply, but Cupid's gaze remains fixed on the ceiling.

A surge of hot irritation runs through my veins.

"Are you going to keep ignoring me?"

Cal and Charlie stiffen. I've made things even more awkward, but I don't care. Cupid slowly brings his gaze down to meet mine – his irises a stormy blue.

"Are you going to keep on having secret meetings with Valentine?"

"Oh, give her a break, Cupid." Crystal's weary voice comes from behind. I turn sharply, a jolt of surprise running though my body that she would stand up for me. She sits down beside Cal, her eyes on Cupi. "It's not like there's a textbook that outlines how to deal with mythological drama."

"There is actually," says Amena taking the empty seat beside her. She sits upright, hands clasped on the table in front of her. Her dark eyes glint intelligently.

"The Cupids Matchmaking Service company handbook?" says Crystal.

"Yes. Although I don't think it has a chapter about what to do when an original undead cupid contacts from the Underworld..." she offers me a sympathetic smile.

I don't return it. I've not forgotten the smile she shared with the member of the Arrows. What game is she playing here?

Crystal smiles wryly. "Bit of an oversight really."

Cupid doesn't say anything, but when our eyes catch I think I see something a bit sheepish hiding within the green flecks of his irises.

"So, you're Cupid's match?" says Amena – eyes still on my face. There's something searching in them, like she's reaching for my soul. I don't like it. I shift slightly in my seat, but refuse to break eye contact. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Likewise," I say – though strictly speaking it's not entirely true. Cal has always been cagey with the details of his relationship with Amena. All I really know is that he cared about her and turned her into a cupid.

Amena's lip quirks up slightly.

"Where have you been?" Cal interjects. His voice is almost accusatory.

Her dark eyes move to Cal. "I've been infiltrating cupid groups that exist outside the Matchmaking Service."

"The Arrows."

"Most recently, yes."

I share a look with Charlie. That could at least explain the smile Jessica gave her. Except something deep inside me still feels reluctant to trust her. Cal's mouth purses into a hard line, like he wants to say something but is holding in the words.

"She arrived at the Matchmaking Service today with the unsettling information that a few Arrows were in town," says Crystal. "And." She lets out a hard sigh. "That there are rumors circulating among them that Venus, has indeed, returned from the Underworld."

"So, Valentine was telling the truth." I feel a small burst of triumph. I knew I was right about this. But then what that actually means sinks in and the triumph is swallowed by something hollow and dark.

Venus is back.

We all fall silent for a moment. Her childish laugh creeps unbidden into my mind. I remember the feeling of her hand around my neck as I sunk the Finis into her heart.

"She's not back to power yet, though?" I say.

"I think we'd know if she was," says Amena.

Cupid's turns to her. "Where is she?" His voice is hard, angry.

"The Arrows are harboring her - but it's not common knowledge where. I managed to intercept a message between a couple of high profile members."

"Saying?" Cal leans forward, body visible tense beneath his gray turtleneck sweater.

Amena pulls out a cell phone from the pocket of her skinny jeans, taps the screen a couple of times, then slides it over the table. Cal puts his hand over it, holding Amena's gaze for a moment, before picking it up and reading from the screen.

"She's back where it starts." He frowns. "Where what starts?"

Crystal shakes her head. "The Cupids Matchmaking Service. The War that will inevitably come if we don't get her back to the Underworld. Your guess is as good as mine. I'm looking into it."

"So what are these three Arrows doing in town?" says Charlie.

"They're here to offer themselves to the Furies when they come tonight. Charon's ferry has three passengers booked onto it, and they want to get to the Underworld," says Amena.

"Well...that sounds pretty good to me..." says Cupid, raising an eyebrow. "Shall we just let them get on with it?"

"No." The word leaves my mouth forcefully. Everyone around the table turns sharply to look at me except for Crystal who pulls out her phone. I bite my lip. "They want Valentine's box," I say – lowering my tone. "That has to be the reason. Valentine said it could be used to end this war that's coming. We can't let Venus get hold of it. We need to get hold of it."

No-one replies. Crystal gets up – eyes still on the screen of her phone. She sighs.

"Mino's just arrived. I'm going to have him question our three prisoners some more. See if they know anything more about where Venus is being kept." She glances at the plastic clock hung on the wall over the coffee machine then back to the rest of us. "But, we don't have much time until the Furies come back. And if we can't find Venus until before then...well...I have to say I'm inclined to say I agree with Lila."

I raise my eyebrows. There's a noticeable shift in energy around the table.

"There are three spaces booked on that ferry," she says. "And it seems there's something we need to get hold of before Venus's lot do."

"You think we should send someone to the Underworld?" says Cal.

She pinches the bridge of her nose, an uncharacteristically conflicted look on her face. She exchanges a glance with Amena who almost imperceptibly inclines her head. Then she looks at Cupid, me, then meets Cal's eyes.

"No," she says. "After the events of last night you three are the ones that the Furies really want to capture. And – from previous experience – Valentine won't deal with anyone."

I want you to come to the Underworld and get me.

She exhales.

"If a war is coming – a war between the gods – it could destroy the world. I would never normally suggest something like this. But desperate times call for desperate measures..."

Something seems to both tighten and relax inside me at the same time as I realize what she's saying. I look up.

"You want me, Cupid, and Cal to go to the Underworld," I say. "Tonight, You want us to go and find Valentine. You want us to make a deal with him for the box."

Crystal pauses. Then she nods.

"Yes."

Author note: Guys! I'm so sorry  - I said I'd update loads last week and then only managed a lowly 2 updates! I fell into a weird pit of writer's block - which I never usually get with the cupids so it stressed me out a bit - and the stress made the writing even harder! But having take a few days off I'm feeling back to my cupid-y self so back on track again! Weird how that happens sometimes!

Anyway - hope you enjoyed the chapter! 

And - in other exciting news... I've been invited to be on a panel at WattCon this year in New York!!! I'm so excited!!! I've never been to New York before - and I feel super fancy and honored that I've been asked to speak on a panel! I'd love to see some of you there if you can make it! Definitely planning on bringing along some free Cupid's Match swag! 

If you head on over to my profile (click here---> LEPalphreyman) I'll post the link for more info about Wattcon if you're interested in checking it out!

Lots of love,

Lauren

xxx