Cupid’s Match

For a moment I’m too shocked at the question to answer. Having a date to the dance seems trivial when a bunch of cupids are trying to kill us.

“We might as well have a little fun while we’re being hunted,” says Cupid. “I mean, what more could possibly go wrong?”

I groan and playfully slap his bicep. “Don’t say that. Do you want to tempt fate?”

He laughs then gently places his hands on my arms, holding me still. His eyes bore into mine and as they do, the smile falls from his face. “Come on, go to the dance with me.”

Every part of me yearns to say yes, but everyone seems so certain that my spending time with Cupid is a bad idea. What about the Arrows? And the plan? And Cal telling me that Cupid is dangerous?

“If everything goes to plan, we’ll have the Finis soon, and then I’ll be leaving town,” he says. “We’re meant to be together, Lila. Let us at least have one dance before it all ends.”

His thumb gently strokes my arm, sending a tingle across the surface of my skin. I look up at him and drink in his features.

I wonder what his hair would feel like running through my fingers, what his lips would taste like . . .

Stop it, Lila.

“I thought you didn’t believe in matches,” I say.

He tilts my chin up with his finger so I’m forced to look into his ocean-colored eyes. “I said I was starting to.”

I take a deep breath then pull myself away. I need to think. I need to compose myself. But then he wiggles his eyebrows and the corner of my lip tugs upward.

“Fine. I’ll go with you,” I say. “But I have a condition.”

He smiles. “Anything.”

“I don’t get why the Cupids Matchmaking Service changing management is so bad. Who is the founder?”

I can tell I’ve taken him by surprise because he rocks backward—it’s almost imperceptible, but it’s there.

“If you go to the dance with me, I’ll tell you afterward,” he says. “I’ll tell you everything.”

“Tell me now.”

He shakes his head. “I can’t do that. I need more time.”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“Come to the dance with me tonight,” he wheedles, “and tomorrow I’ll tell you anything you want to know. Anything. I promise. Deal?”

He holds out his hand for me to shake and I stare at it. I have a strong feeling that whatever he has to tell me will change everything. I should demand he tell me now. I should tell him I’m not playing these silly cupid games anymore.

But I don’t think I’m quite ready for it all to change. Not yet.

Let us at least have one dance before it all ends.

“Fine, deal,” I say as his fingers clasp mine. “But tomorrow I want answers.”

Later that evening, I stand nervously in front of my bedroom mirror. I’m wearing the black strapless dress Charlie picked out and my hair is pinned up, exposing my bare collarbone and shoulders. I don’t normally dress like this, and I feel oddly vulnerable without my usual jeans and Converse.

I should be more worried about what the Arrows have planned, but my mind keeps wandering toward Cupid. It’s ten to seven; he should be here to pick me up any minute.

The doorbell rings.

“I’ll get it!” I yell.

After one last look, I head downstairs.

The Cupid that is waiting for me when I open the door is different than any version I’ve seen before. He’s dressed in a formal dark-blue suit, a light-blue tie, and a crisp white shirt. The dim light from the porch adds lighter shades to his dark-blond hair, and he’s keeping one arm behind his back.

“Lila,” he says softly, his eyes drinking me in hungrily. “You look . . . I mean—wow. You look great.”

I shift uncomfortably. “Uh, thanks.”

“Nervous?” He grins wickedly. “About the Arrows, I mean.”

I give him a look. “Well, seeing as they’re planning on kidnapping me tonight, a little, yes.”

Something uncertain flicks across his expression. “I, um, got you this,” he says. He brings his arm from behind his back and passes me a corsage of white flowers. After I take it carefully, he rubs the back of his neck. “You don’t have to wear it . . . if you don’t like it.”

I slip it on my wrist. “I like it,” I say. “Thank you.”

His face brightens, a smile spreading across it. “Phew. I’ve never been to a high school dance before. Binge watched an entire season of Prom Queens this afternoon to make sure I was doing it right.”

I laugh. “I’m sure Cal would approve of that use of time . . .”

“Who’s this?” my dad asks, coming up from behind me and placing his hand gently on my shoulder.

I groan inwardly; I really hadn’t wanted these two to meet.

Cupid extends his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, sir,” he says. “I’m Cupid.”

Dad says nothing for a moment. Why couldn’t he have a normal name?! I cringe, awaiting judgment. Instead, my dad chuckles lightly and returns the handshake.

“A joker, huh?” he says. “Well, I suppose we could use a cupid around here.” He looks down at me, light humor behind his blue eyes, and kisses me on the forehead. “Have fun, sweetheart.”

I smile, relief washing over me. “Thanks, Dad.”

Cupid holds his elbow out for me to take. “Well,” he says, “shall we go?”

I tentatively hook my arm through his. Despite the chill in the air, he feels warm, and when we reach his car parked at the end of the driveway, he opens the passenger door for me. I wave good-bye to my dad as Cupid walks around to the other side.

Moments later we’re on the road. Neither of us speaks at first, and I can’t help feeling a little awkward.

“All the weapons were hidden okay, right?” I ask after a few minutes of silence. “And everyone knows what they’re doing? Charlie is okay with doing all this still?”

Cupid turns to look at me. “Don’t worry,” he says. “It should be simple enough. Charlie only added three of the four names she was given to the invite list. She’s told them to arrive at different times so as not to arouse suspicion. One Arrow won’t be permitted entry. As soon as we hear there’s a problem at the door, I’ll slip out, grab him, and take him back to my house. Bit of time with the Ardor arrow and he’ll tell me where Crystal is being held. Then Charlie—who will be entertaining the remaining Arrows with her powerful skill of chatting complete nonsense—will help us organize a hostage exchange.”

There’s a knot in my stomach. It seems like Charlie’s the one who is risking everything, and that doesn’t seem right.

“They think she’s on their side,” Cupid says, reading the worry on my face. “She won’t be in any danger.”

“Is there nothing I can do?”

He shakes his head. “As much as it pains me, and as dull as it may render the latter part of your evening, it’s better for you to remain with my brother. The Arrows want at least one of us; it’s better if we don’t make it too easy for them. Don’t worry—we’ll enjoy the dance until they get there,” he adds, as though my main concern is spending half the evening with Cal. “Cal will keep you safe while I’m gone, and I’ll make sure I’m back for the last dance. Promise.”

He gives me a winning grin.

“Well,” I say dryly, “I suppose that’s okay. I mean, as long as you’re back for the last dance.”

He looks at me intensely. “I’d battle a Roman legion to get to dance with you.”

I feel my cheeks heating up and look away. Out of the corner of my eye I see Cupid smirk as he turns his gaze back to the road.

“I’d like to see a few Arrows try and stop me,” he says.