Cupid grabs his tux jacket, I grab the ancient box from the breakfast bar, and the three of us hurry outside.

The lamps around the grounds and pool are springing on now that darkness is falling, and puddles of soft glow add to the harsh light spilling from the glass front of Cupid's house. Cal powers down the driveway – hands in his pockets and head lowered against the wind. He's walking fast, already at the open black gates that lead onto Juliet Hill. Seeing as Cupid drove us to the beach the other day he clearly intends to walk to the school.

"Brother?" yells Cupid – pulling his car keys out of his pocket.

Cal doesn't turn, the brewing storm swallowing Cupid's words.

"Want me to run after him?" shouts Charlie.

Cupid turns to us, his bronzed hair ruffling in the wind, and gestures to his Aston Martin parked haphazardly between two ancient stone statues.

"We'll pick him up on the way," he says.

"Good," yells Charlie. She looks down at her feet. "Heels!"

The three of us rush to the car. The air is cold and static – it makes the hairs on my arms stand on end. Something is coming. Or someone.

I think of what Cupid and Cal told me about their father. Mars. God of War.

I look up defiantly. Then I place the box in the trunk of the car where Cupid has already piled a bunch of bows and arrows, including some dusted in Morpheus's sand from the Underworld, and get into the passenger seat beside Cupid. Charlie climbs into the back, smoothing her windswept hair.

Cal's hunched figure gets closer as Cupid drives us to the summit, his pale hair illuminated by the headlights. When we roll up beside him I slide down my window and Cal turns abruptly towards us, his cheeks flushed.

"Cal! Want a ride?" I ask.

He peers in at the three of us, all staring at him with grins on our faces despite the impending doom. He looks like he's about to protest. Then Cupid leans over me, the scent of his cologne flooding my nostrils.

"Get in the car, brother," Cupid says – a weary note of amusement lacing his tone.

Begrudgingly he does and ten minutes later we're pulling into the Forever Falls High parking lot. There are numerous cars already there, light spilling out from the open entrance doors where Chloe and a bunch of seniors from the hockey team are passing around a hip-flask.

We sit in silence for a couple of minutes – a weird energy in the car – each of us distracted by our own thoughts. I can feel Cupid's eyes on my profile, but I don't meet them. My thoughts are consumed by Valentine.

I wonder if he is already in there. I wonder how many cupids, and how many of the dead will be walking the school halls tonight. I wonder if we can stop the fight before it starts.

Finally, Cupid sighs.

"Ready?" he says. He meets Cal's eyes in the mirror. "Come on, brother. You'll be fine."

Then he climbs out of the car, closing the door and heading to the trunk to get the weapons. Charlie follows him.

Sensing Cal's tension, I turn in my seat to face him and raise an eyebrow.

"Maybe this isn't such a good idea," he says – silvery eyes meeting mine.

"You won't know unless you tell her," I say.

"I'm not good at that," he says. "Talking to people. Telling them how I feel."

"I noticed."

A ghost of a smile flickers across his lips. He opens his mouth to say something then closes it again. We look at each other – something unspoken passing between us. Then he exhales and inclines his head stiffly.

"Okay," he says. "I'm ready. I'm going to do it."

I grin and the two of us get out of the car. The group of seniors who were hanging outside have headed in now, and the four of us are alone in the parking lot. Cupid and Charlie are already armed – bows and quivers slung over their backs. Cupid throws one to me and I catch it as Cal grabs his from the trunk.

"What about the box?" I say. "I'm not leaving it alone."

"Messaged Mino when we arrived," says Cupid as he leans against the car.

Cal shifts from one foot to the other, gaze fixed ahead on the school building. Cupid glances at him, rolls his eyes, then grabs the box. I tense.

"But seeing as he's taking an age to reply – let's just take it with us."

He catches my eye – a question in it as he notes me unease at him handling the dusty crate. I let out a breath and nod, something unclenching inside me.

"Yeah. Okay," I say.

Of course, I can trust Cupid with the box.

He grins. "Come on, then."

He nudges his brother as he passes by, and Cal stumbles before haughtily brushing himself down and starting to walk towards the school building. Charlie and I share a look, then follow.

"How you feeling?" she says. "You ready?"

"To betray Valentine, you mean?" I say. I tighten my resolve as we enter the brightly lit corridor. "Yeah. I'm ready."

The gym is full when we get there – the entire school packed inside and moving to a Daft Punk track playing in the background. I halt abruptly in the doorway. Cal, Cupid, and Charlie tense beside me.

Flashes of gold cut across the pink strobe lighting; Ardor arrows shot by serious looking cupids dressed in black tuxes by the bleachers. Every time one hits a target people either pair off, cry, kiss, fight, or start stalking the hall – each filled with fiery obsession as they search for their match; each giving Venus more power when they lock lips with someone.

"Well, that's not good. . ." murmurs Cupid. "Even if we did expect it." His eyes dart around the space. "Can you see Crystal and Mino? Valentine? Any dead guys?"

"I'll go look," says Cal. "Stay here. Don't let the cupids see you."

He strides inside, disappearing into the increasingly amorous and agitated crowd. I wonder why none of the teachers are doing anything to calm it all down until Charlie nudges me and points to a spot beneath one of the basketball hoops where Ms Green and Mr Butler are making out.

"Oh my god," she says. "That is horrible."

I can't help but laugh at the horrified look on her face despite the increasingly volatile situation. There are definitely worse things to worry about than two teachers kissing.

The three of us step back into the corridor to wait for Cal, leaning against the lockers outside. After five minutes pass, I turn to the others.

"Something doesn't feel right," I say – trying to put my finger on what's bothering me. "Why wouldn't Mino have texted back? I don't like this. I'm going to find Cal."

"Lila –" Cupid tries to stop me but I glare at him and he shuts his mouth.

"I can trust you to look after the box?" I say.

He holds my gaze, then lets out a heavy breath. "Yeah." We look at each other, his eyes burning. "Be careful, Lila."

I touch his arm, feeling his muscle beneath his shirt sleeve. The rise and fall of his chest deepens – a serious look on his face.

Then I tear my gaze away and head into the gym – pushing my way to the center looking out for cupids, dead guys, and obsession arrows.

Where is Cal?!

The air is stuffy and smells like a horrible concoction of sweat and perfume. I'm so busy looking around, wary, that I straight into a hard chest. I stumble back.

"Hello, Lila," he says in his gruff, Irish tone. "So glad you came."

My eyes travel up a white shirt, black tux jacket, and black bow-tie – before meeting a pair of shocking blue eyes. Something stirs inside me as his scent washes over me. I can practically feel his gaze moving across my skin and over my red dress. Around us people are moving, and fighting, and kissing – but it feels like there is only us. My heart starts to hammer against my ribs and a smile spreads slowly across his face.

I swallow. "Hello, Valentine."

Something glints dangerously in his blue irises as he meet my eyes once more. "But where is the box?"

"Safe. Where's the army?"

"I have them stationed in the cafeteria. They will only come if called." He puts a big hand on his chest. "I'm true to my word, Lila."

I might be imagining it but I'm sure there is an accusatory emphasis to his words. I eye him warily and his grin widens – annoying dimples puncturing his cheeks.

"Care to dance?" he says.

"No."

"I thought you liked to dance with me," he teases.

I ignore him, a swell of guilt ballooning in my stomach as I remember his lips so close to mine.

I have found a way, my love.

I blink – pushing unbidden thoughts away. "Tell the army to leave the school. I'll take you to the box then we'll go to Venus. We'll do this together, like we set out to do."

He steps closer to me, our bodies almost touching. Softly he puts a finger beneath my chin and tilts my face up to his. His eyes penetrate mine as though he is searching for my soul, and he sighs softly – his warm breath tickling my face as my traitorous heart thuds wildly in my chest.

"No. You'll take me to my brothers," he says softly. "And I can't let that happen."

"And I can't let you start a War that will bring back Mars," I say.

The two of us stare at each other.

And then in a swift movement I grab a black arrow – covered in Morpheus's sand - and thrust it into his chest. He falls to his knees before me – surprise in his eyes but laughter on his lips. I frown, grabbing his shirt as his eyelids start to droop.

"What's so funny?!" I say.

He slumps down onto the floor – falling back and leaving me with a torn button between my fingers. But as he lands a battered, sickeningly familiar cell phone falls from one of his hands.

James's phone.

I crouch down and pick it up. There's a sent email on the cracked screen; All Cupids Matchmaking Service Employees in the To box.

Cold adrenaline fires through my body as I read it.

The army of the dead are at Forever Falls High. They're here for Venus. Come immediately.

For a moment I can't move, can't react. I'm frozen by Valentine's side.

It's done.

I will bring the darkness.

"Lila? Good you got him." Cal's sharp voice snaps me back to the chaos of the gym. "Let's get him to the car."

"It's too late. He's started the War," I say. I look up at him – my body numb. He pales.

Then I rub my face – remembering my conversation with Charlie.

It's not done. It's not over yet.

"We need to get the box to the Matchmaking Service now," I say. "So I can get my favor from the king of the gods and stop it."

He inclines his head, holding his hand out and pulling me to my feet.

"Where are Crystal and Mino?" I say as we start to move.

His expression hardens. "Someone saw them entering the cafeteria together about fifteen minutes ago. I guess they wanted some alone time."

My stomach plummets. "That's not why they went in there. They must have heard something."

"What?" he says.

I grab his wrist and start to pull him faster across the floor, heart beating wildly in my chest. I glance back at him – worry flooding my body. "That's where Valentine has the army of the dead waiting."

He breathes in sharply – face blanching of color.

"Crystal," he says – voice filled with horror.

We start to run.