"What is it?" Valentine's gruff voice across the booth brings my attention jolting back to the diner.

His eyes are fixed on my face, burning into my skull. There's no point in hiding it from him – we're on the same side until I ultimately betray him. Which I will do – despite the heat that licks the pit of my stomach when his gaze holds mine.

"You might want to ask Charon for a refund," I say – slipping my phone into my pocket.

His eyebrow raises. "Oh, really?"

"I know where Venus is," I say – something hardening inside me. "She's back at the Cupids Matchmaking Service."

He heaps some sugar into his coffee, his forehead creasing.

"Interesting," he says. "But perhaps not unexpected. Without Crystal there to rally the cupids against her I'd expect no less than for them to invite her back into their headquarters. It puts me at a disadvantage, though." He stirs his spoon around his mug absently. "I'd hoped we'd find her at one of her old hangouts – in Athens, or Rome. I know them well. But I haven't set foot in the Cupids Matchmaking Service for centuries. You know the layout?"

I take a sip of coffee, careful to steady the slight tremble in my hand. I'm not afraid – at least I don't think I am; but adrenaline is coursing through my body and I'm struggling to contain it.

I want to get on with this.

"Yeah. I know the layout pretty well," I say.

"Good. Then we should get back to the camp and make our plan of attack."

"Okay, fine. But I need to use the ladies room before we go."

He flashes me a suspicious look as I start to rise. He reaches out and his fingers curl around my wrist before I can slide out of the booth.

"Lila." My name leaves his mouth as a low growl – a note of warning behind it.

I lean closer to him – palms flat on the sticky tablecloth. "You might be fine peeing in the sand, or in the sea, or wherever-" I say "-but I am going to use a bathroom."

I jerk my hand away and he shrugs – amusement glittering in his eyes.

"Very well, your lady-ship. But if the real reason you're heading to the bathroom is to use your phone I suggest you re-think." His face darkens. "Venus doesn't know we're coming for her, yet. It would be unwise to alert her."

"Oh, really? Well I was just about to tweet just got back from the Underworld with the Army of the Dead! Going to attack Venus soon! But I suppose I won't now. Thank god you were there to stop me."

I roll my eyes and he smiles as I head to the bathroom. I let out a long breath as once I've locked myself inside the dingy room – placing my hands flat on either side of the sink.

I catch sight of my fuzzy reflection in the droplet spattered mirror. My dark hair is wild and tangled down my shoulders, and my face is shiny with a thin sheen of sweat. I look like death – which probably isn't so surprising seeing as I've just come back from the Underworld.

. . . I have found a way, my love.

. . . My heart belongs to you.

My cell burns in my pocket and my head starts to pound – whispered thoughts flooding my mind along with the adrenaline that powers my body.

Valentine is right. Getting in touch with anyone is a risk.

But I have to know they're alright. I can't do this otherwise.

I won't do this otherwise.

The thoughts clarify. I splash my face, then pull my cell back out of my pocket – making a decision.

If Charlie was able to message me, then she's obviously not actually with Venus. She must be in a position where she's safe and out of sight of any of Venus's agents.

I click on her contact and push the phone to my ear.

"Lila!" Her voice is breathless as she picks up after the first ring.

"Charlie! You okay? Where are you?"

"I'm fine. I'm at school. The cupids think I'm on a Matchmaking assignment. You?"

"What's going on?"

"Oh my god, it's all been crazy since you left. Venus took back command. She reversed Crystal's ban on matchmaking. She's got cupids all over the world working across the clock making matches – using the arrows to speed things up. Each match gives her more power. She's back to her old self. She's converting more humans to cupids as well – growing her army."

"You should get out of town, Charlie. Things. . . things are going to get bad."

"They're already bad!"

"They're about to get worse."

"What do you mean? Where are you?" She pauses. "What's going on? You sound . . . different."

"I'm fine. Listen - my dad –"

"He's safe. I concocted a dastardly plan to get him out of town. I thought Venus might go after him if you got on her radar. I used the Cupids Matchmaking Service system to send him and Sarah to some medical conference in New York."

A wave or relief crashes over me and I release a breath. "Have I told you lately that you're the best friend ever?"

"Not lately. You can shower me with gifts when this is all over, though. Maybe get me one of those mugs – World's best best friend. You know like Cal's? Speaking of which – how is Cal and Cupid? You bring Valentine back? What's the deal with that box?"

I glance at the door leading to the diner. Then I exhale.

"Charlie, I've got to go. Stay out of the Matchmaking Service, okay?"

"Lil –"

I hang up mid protest and switch off my cell – slipping it back into my pocket. I head back into the diner. Valentine rises to his feet and slides out from the booth as I approach. He stops just before me.

"I presume you're paying for breakfast?" he says.

I look up at him – eyes locking on his. "Why would you presume that?!"

"I have no human money."

"If you have no money you shouldn't have ordered so much food. . ."

He grins as I reach into my pockets then curse when I find only obols. I didn't bring my purse with me to the Underworld. I didn't exactly think I'd need it.

"I have no money either," I say under my breath.

His lip twitches. "So, we're just stealing food now then? Interesting."

I glance across the empty diner. "The waiter's in the kitchen."

He makes no move to leave. "You really have become quite the villain, Lila."

"Shut up. I'll send some money when all this is over." I glare at the amused expression on his face. "Come on."

The bell announces our exit as Valentine follows me, chuckling, out into the crisp morning air. We stop abruptly – finding ourselves face to face with Mino.

"Joining us for breakfast? Because I'm afraid we've just eaten," says Valentine.

"If only. No. I came to warn you."

I tense, wishing I had a weapon with me. "What of?"

"Us." A familiar male voice that makes my stomach tighten.

I snap my gaze past Mino. Cupid, Cal, and Crystal stand on the other side of the road – bows raised. The tips of the arrows glint in the early morning sun.

Cupid's eyes meet mine – and even from here I see the pain, and anger, and yearning of memory behind them.

"Hello, lovebug," he says – voice cold. His gaze slides to Valentine then back to me. "We've just been to the beach. Seems you've made some new friends."