*CUPID'S MATCH BOOK 2* FIRST DRAFT
Lila receives an ominous Valentine's Day card.
Cupid & Cal are keeping a dark secret.
Fate is being interfered with.
And a sadistic, and extremely powerful banished cupid is intent on stealing Lila's heart. Literal...
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I stare at Cupid's body slumped against the rocks, lifeless. Cold horror and hot rage fight inside me, twisting around my soul. Valentine's hands restrain my arms – tight.
And then I remember something. The Finis only works when shot by a mortal. Cupid isn't dead – he can't be. Unconscious, maybe. But not dead. It means I'll have to face Valentine alone. But couldn't I also use this to my advantage?
The Finis can kill anyone who shares the blood of Cupid. The Finis only works when shot by a mortal.
As the battle continues around me, as Cal writhes against the floor, I make a decision. I rip myself out of Valentine's grip then hurtle across the beach toward Cupid, throwing myself onto the ground beside him.
I let an anguished scream escape my lips.
But it's only half real.
It's also distraction for what I'm really doing.
I drop my bow onto the floor, then grab the golden Finis arrow, and pull it out of his chest – slipping it into my quiver. Because Cupid will be fine as long as I can defeat Valentine, and I can use this weapon to do it.
Then I place my fingers to his neck. A wave of relief washes over me when I feel the steady beat of his pulse. I'd known I would, but a part of me was still afraid.
Not all will survive.
"Such a pity..." says Valentine - suddenly behind me.
I rise. But I don't turn to look at him. Instead, still looking at Cupid – hair matted with blood, and a dribble of crimson dripping from his nose - a bitter, twisted laugh escapes my lips.
"The Finis only works if shot by a mortal, you idiot," I say. "Cupid's not dead."
Valentine says nothing for a moment – the only sound being that of the battle taking place by the waterside, and horrifying sound of Cal gasping for breath as he writhes on the sand about twenty feet behind us.
Then he chuckles.
I spin around to face him. Our eyes burn into each other.
"I know," he says. "I don't need him dead. Not yet, anyway." He grins. "I just need to keep him busy – like I said."
"He's unconscious."
"Yes, I know," he says. He shrugs. "It's a lazy kind of busy – I suppose."
He looks at his watch – absently fiddling with a button on the side. Then he lazily brings his gaze back to me.
"Just setting a timer to let us know when the big moment arrives," he says with a grin. "Not long now – just half an hour to go."
My heart thuds hard against my chest. As he stares at me – his blue eyes searching – I feel for a moment that he can hear it pounding too. What if it gives away what I have hidden in my quiver? If he notices, it's all over.
