We head out into the cool air and wander toward the alley by the old florist. The flowers have all been packed away for the night, but the breeze still carries with it the scent of rose petals. The floral note is mixed with grilled burgers from Romeo's in the square.

I briefly glance over my shoulder at it. It brings back memories – the training sim where Cal took the Ardor for me, fighting with the Arrows when they kidnapped Crystal, and my ex, James. I wonder if he's working tonight.

He's tried to speak to me a few times since we broke up – he wants to make things right after kissing Charlie under the influence of the Capax. But, after everything that's happened with Cupid, Cal, and the others, that part of my life feels over now.

"OK, lovebug?" says Cupid as we head toward the neon pink flashing sign reading Love Shack ahead. He snaps me out of my thoughts.

I look up at him and grin.

"Yep, just thinking."

He nods seriously.

"About me? Figures. I am pretty distracting."

I roll my eyes and push him playfully to the side.

"You're so full of yourself," I say.

He laughs, pulling his arm around me as we reach the entrance to the bar. Eric, the guy on the door, greets us– then stands by to let us inside.

We head into the familiar buzz of the Love Shack – trampling over fallen straw from the beach umbrellas and discarded paper flowers as we cross the room. I peer through the crowds- finally spotting Charlie sat on a stool at one of the high tables, illuminated by fuchsia lighting. An attractive blonde girl in a short blue dress sits beside her.

They're both laughing and drinking bright pink cocktails from tall, sugar rimmed glasses.

We walk over.

"Crystal!" says Cupid as we reach them, "My brother was looking for you."

She glances up at him. They share a look that I can't quite read – one that seems to contain shared history, mixed with a joint apprehension regarding each other. Charlie, dressed in a floaty green dress, leans over the table and gives me a hug as I jump up onto the stool.

"Charlie persuaded me to come join this evening," says Crystal somewhat apologetically.

"She's been working late all week," says Charlie – her dark eyes bright with humor. "Even CEOs of paranormal cupid corporations need a night off once in a while."

"I'll toast to that," says Crystal, raising her glass.

Cupid looks down at me. He puts a hand on my shoulder.

"I could toast to not doing work too," he says with a grin, "I'll get us some drinks."

"Get the love potion," says Charlie – pointing at her and Crystal's blindingly pink drinks. Cupid raises an eyebrow at her. She nods, looking pleased with herself. "I made it up myself – I got a job behind the bar for a few weeks on a Matchmaking Assignment. They loved it so much they've kept it on."

He looks at the artificial coloring.

"It looks like a unicorn has thrown up in your glass..."

"Tastes like it too..." says Crystal, her blue eyes glinting.

"Hey!" protests Charlie.

Cupid grins.

"Well, I'm sold. You want one too, Lila?"

I laugh then nod.

He makes his way to the bar. I watch him push through the students a moment. As I do so I get the strangest feeling that someone is watching me.

I flit my eyes around the beach themed place. And my eyes catch the back of a girl's dark hair as she walks toward the exit of the room.

She glances over her shoulder, and, as her eyes lock onto mine, I'm suddenly cold. I intake sharply, my heart beating fast though I don't know why. She holds my gaze for a moment longer before walking out into the street.

I frown, my eyes lingering on the door.

Then I turn back to Crystal and Charlie.

"You OK?" says Charlie, peering at me over her paper umbrella.

I furrow my eyebrows.

"Yeah...fine...I don't know. I just got a weird feeling – like de-ja-vu or something," I shake my head and grin. "Sorry, ignore me! So, you've been busy?"

Crystal nods.

"You remember Charles? Venus's PA?"

I nod. He was the red-haired cupid that led me to Venus's office when I was arrested for being Cupid's Match.

"A week or so after Venus was destroyed he went missing. We thought he was just upset that she was gone...but...well," she sighs. "two more cupids have gone missing in the past two weeks. Something's going on, something not good.." She shakes her head sadly. "What did Cal want, anyway?"

"He said another cupid has gone missing," I say.

She stiffens on her stool and pulls her phone out of her bag, "Another one? I should get back...I need to deal with this."

She gets to her feet as Cupid comes back to the table with drinks – her eyes darkening as they flicker across the screen of her cell. She puts a hand through her long, blonde hair.

"What is it?" asks Charlie, slurping on her drink.

"Cal said that the cupid reported missing today has just been found." She gives us a dark look, then sighs. "Dead. And he said..."

She looks up sharply at something over my shoulder. I turn to see Cal stood there – dressed more casually than usual in jeans and a blue sweater. He looks slightly flushed.

"I said we have a big problem," His eyes pass over each of us. "Glad to see you're all having fun though." A glimmer of hurt passes across his silvery irises. "Thanks for the invite, by the way..."

I feel a swell of guilt inside me and shift slightly on my stool.

"Oh, Cal! Don't be like that..." says Charlie. "It wasn't planned..."

"Yeah, whatever," he says. "It's not like I care."

He turns, focusing only on me. And I note the flicker of concern cross his features.

"Lila, you're in danger."

"What?" I say.

"Brother!" says Cupid strongly.

Cal flicks his gaze up to him.

"She needs to know," he says. "We kept things from her before and look how well that turned out."

"Know what?!"

I feel suddenly cold.

Cal looks at me, a darkness passing over his angular features.

"The cupid that was just found....this was found beside him..."

He flips his phone around so I can see the screenshot he has taken.

I breathe in sharply, my pulse accelerating, as I read the almost familiar words – inscribed on a piece of red card. It looks almost identical to the Valentine's Day message I received this morning.

Roses are red. Violets are blue. I need your heart. For what I'm to do.

Happy Valentine's Day, Lila.