More cupids missing?

The worry, curling its way around my heart, tightens. I know that Cupid cannot be killed – but he can be hurt, trapped, tortured.

Why hasn't he texted me?

What if this Valentine guy is behind all this? What if he's hurt Cupid as well?

I glance up at Cal who has a dark look on his face, then at Crystal who looks equally worried

"Valen...?"

"They might not be related," interjects Cal, preventing me from speaking. "If you need me - Lila and I will be training."

He puts a hand on my shoulder and gives me a warning squeeze. I glance at him.

Is he trying to stop me from mentioning Valentine?

He steers me around Mino and through the bright white reception area.

"See you both around," drawls Mino as we pass – humor brimming in his dark eyes.

We head into the noisy open plan office area, Cal a couple of steps ahead of me, and weave around the desks, Matchmaking Agents, and black, temple like columns.

"What the hell was that all about?" I hurry into step beside him.

We enter the serene, indoor courtyard and Cal stops beside the small pond – the water so still it reflects the clouds through the domed skylight above. The air smells musty and sweet as I breathe it in - it reminds me of a museum that my mom used to take me to as a child. That feels a million years ago now.

Cal glances at the spot where Venus used to stand as I come to stand beside him.

I look up at him and I can see the strain in his face; I see it in the smudges under his eyes, the sharpness of his jaw, the tension in his arms through his white, long sleeved top.

"I don't want to worry them – not until we know for sure," he glances back at me – worry behind his eyes. "I told the Matchmaking Service Valentine was dead a long time ago."

"Why?"

"Cupid told me he was."

His jaw clenches.

"Surely it's better just to tell them he isn't. Crystal would understand."

He purses his lips.

"No, she wouldn't. And you don't understand either," he says sharply. "You saw what happened when the Matchmaking Service knew Cupid was coming back. Valentine...Valentine is worse."

"Worse than your brother? Those are damning words indeed coming from you...!" I say.

His silver eyes flash furiously.

"This isn't a joke, Lila," he snaps. "Don't you see? You're in danger? And I...I mean we... we might not be able to protect you."

I take a small step back.

"Look, I get it," I snap back. "I do. Valentine is a bad guy. I'm probably in danger. Again. But how am I supposed to act? How am I supposed to deal with this?"

Our eyes blaze into one another's.

And then he deflates slightly. His expression softens and he exhales.

"By making sure that if you ever come face to face with him, you can fight him," says Cal – he walks toward one of the arched exits of the square without looking at me. "Come on, combat training room, now."

I watch him disappear through the archway, then I follow him down the next black and white chequered corridor into the vast combat training room at the end. The place is empty, like it was last night when me and Cupid trained. I'm guessing everyone is too busy with what's been going on to be training at the moment.

Cal heads over the pink mats to the center of the room. He picks the two bows and quivers filled with arrows laid on the floor and thrusts one into my hands.

"Well?" he says. "Let's see how well my brother has been teaching you."

There's ice in his tone when he mentions Cupid, a general note of disbelief that I am any good at this whole cupid combat thing at all.

I narrow my eyes at him.

Then I sling the sleek black quiver over my shoulder, pull out a silver and pink arrow, and place it into my bow. I take a breath, feeling the feather fletching against my cheek as I aim at one of the ten black and pink circular targets dotted around the room. I take another deep breath.

I release.

There's a satisfying thunk as it hits one of them – just above the centre.

I glance at Cal, giving him a smug smile.

I have been training. And I'm actually getting quite good!

He holds my gaze a moment.

Then in a flicker of movement he pulls one arrow after the next from his quiver, releasing them from his bow. There's a series of thunking noises as, in quick succession, each embeds itself into the centre of one of the targets dotted about the room. Then the tinkling sound of ash dusting the mats beneath as they disintegrate.

He brings his eyes back to mine and raises a fair eyebrow.

"Not bad," he says. "But not good enough. You're dealing with cupids here."

He looks seriously at the targets, then thrusts another arrow into my hand.

"Now go. Again."

***

My arm is aching by the time Cal finally lets me take a break. I'm covered in a thin layer of perspiration while he has not even broken a sweat. He's working me much harder than Cupid ever did. But then again, I'm not always sure that training is number one in Cupid's priorities when we're together...

I think of laying on top of him on the mats here yesterday. Then I think of our kiss in the moonlight, his mouth needy against mine. The thought makes my heart thud faster in my chest. And then it sends another bolt of worry through my veins.

"Do you think he's OK?" I say to Cal – after gulping down a cup of water. "Have you heard from him?"

"Who?"

"Cupid!"

He watches me. Then shakes his head.

I walk over to him as he leans by the counter. My leather jacket lies on the surface, and my phone is in my pocket. I grab it and plunge my hand inside, pulling out the cell – hoping that he will have replied to my text.

My pulse races as I look at the screen.

There's a missed call from Cupid. I flash the screen toward Cal then press the redial button. He doesn't answer.

My heart thrums against my chest. Cal watches me warily, I catch a glint of worry in the silver flecks of his eyes. I try again.

Nothing.

Finally, on the third try he picks up.

"Lila?"

"Cupid! Are you OK? You didn't pick up!"

"Neither did you when I called!" I hear the hint of amusement in his tone over the gentle hum of traffic in the background. I feel a wave of relief. He must be in the car. "I'm driving," he says. "Listen, are you with my brother?"

"Yeah," I say.

"Put me on speakerphone."

I fumble for the speaker button then look at Cal.

"What's going on?" says Cal sharply.

"Yes, I'm fine thanks, brother, thanks for asking..." says Cupid.

Cal doesn't look amused as he stands under the harsh lights of the Combat Training Room.

"Your safety was never really a primary concern," says Cal. "What did you find out there?"

Cupid leaves an elongated pause, and for some reason it makes my stomach clench with trepidation. Then he sighs heavily.

"I'm on my way back to the Matchmaking Service."

"And....?"

Another sigh, laced with weariness.

"We were right. He's gone," he pauses. "Valentine is back."