I watch the empty space where Cupid was moments before; my pulse still racing from the kiss and the vulnerability in his eyes. Then I take a deep breath, compose myself, and walk toward Charlie and Cal.

As I do – for a moment - I'm again overcome with the feeling that someone is watching me. I turn, peering past the fountain at the alley between the small second-hand store, and the grocery shop. I think I catch a flicker of movement in the shadows, but when I look harder there's no-one there.

I stare for a moment longer, see nothing but darkness, then head back to the two of them.

"So...I'm guessing this ends our night out..." says Charlie.

"Potentially..." I say.

"Definitely," Cal interjects sharply. He looks at Charlie, "I'll take Lila back. Do you need a lift home?"

She flashes us both a grin.

"Nope, got my cupid company car now, don't I?!"

"Oh my God, you finally got it?!" I say. "What did you pick in the end?"

Her face falls slightly.

"Just a second hand one," she says. "Mr. Sensible over here thought my parents would ask too many questions if I came home in a Lamborghini or something."

I laugh. He has a point. Cal gives her a disapproving look but I see the corner of his lip quirk up slightly.

"Still – beats having to get lifts off my brother all the time. And I'm totally getting it painted – " she says taking a step away from us, "I'm thinking pink or yellow." She grins at me. "Give me a call when you get home. I wanna know about..." she gestures over to the fountain where me and Cupid stood moments before.

I look in that direction. I feel a small swell of sadness that he's gone, even if it is only for a couple of days. It felt like things were finally starting to move between us – though forward or backward I can't tell.

Why did he pull away from me like that? Why was there so much sadness in his eyes?

Then I turn back to Charlie and nod.

"Will do. See you at school tomorrow."

She turns and skips off, leaving Cal and me alone. Our eyes meet and we quickly both avert them.

The air suddenly feels a little awkward. I don't think there's been a situation where the two of us have been together without Cupid, or anyone else, since before the battle.

I catch him opening his mouth out of the corner of my eye, as if to speak. Then he shuts it as I turn to look at him once more. He runs his hand through his hair then starts to move forward – stuffing his hands rigidly into his pockets

"Well – my car's this way. Shall we go?"

***

Moments later I sit in the passenger seat of Cal's Lamborghini as he drives toward my house. His eyes are fixed on the road ahead as the light from street lamps flicker across his face. He doesn't speak and awkwardness hangs in the air, mixed with the scent of warm car and cool leather.

I open my mouth to try and strike up conversation a couple of times, but each time I close it again. I can't quite find the words to say.

Everything is different now.

My mind takes me back to the hospital room once more, and the intensity in Cal's eyes.

I lean back in the seat, look away from him, and stare out of the window. It's not like I don't have other, more pressing, things to think about than Cal's apparent discomfort at being alone with me.

The events of the evening reel through my mind: dead cupids, threatening notes, Cupid leaving town for a couple of days, the kiss, and Valentine. There's a part of me that thinks I should be scared, or surprised by all this. But I think the largest part of me always expected danger – it's why I've been training so hard; so I'd be ready for it when it came.

I knew where following Cupid into this supernatural world would lead me – danger, passion, heartache, death. I chose it anyway.

"Who is Valentine?" I say suddenly – breaking the silence.

Cal says nothing, eyes still fixed ahead, as we reach the bottom of my street.

"Cupid told you about him?" he says.

"Just his name."

He pulls up down the road, a few houses from my driveway and parks the car. He doesn't say anything for a moment – his eyes remain on the road.

Then he exhales heavily, a flash of anger flickering across his silvery eyes.

"He said he'd dealt with him," he says, his voice sharp.

He turns to look at me, his eyes blazing silver. His expression is more open than I've seen it – I feel like I can see his soul within the cool depths of his irises, "What do you see in him?"

"Valentine?"

"Cupid."

His eyes are fixed on mine, they seem to burn through me, and for a moment I'm caught in his stare. I feel like he's searching for something deep within me. It feels personal, intense. I should look away.

But I don't.

Then he averts his gaze back to the front of the car. He shakes his head, a sigh escaping from his lips.

"Sorry," he says. "It's none of my business. Not anymore. I'm stressed. The bodies, the notes, Valentine...I'm on edge, that's all."

He runs a hand through his pale hair, slumping back against the white seat.

"So, you really think this Valentine is the killer?" I say.

He pauses then gives a half nod.

"Well isn't that good? You know who's doing it, so you can catch him?"

"It's not that simple," he says quietly.

I look at him in question. He shakes his head.

"Look, we don't even know it's definitely him. Let's not get ahead of ourselves," he nods at my house, down the street. "Is your dad home?"

I glance at the time on the dashboard. 9pm.

"Yeah, should be."

A flicker of disappointment passes over his face in the dim light. He doesn't look at me.

"Go home, Lila," he pushes a button and the car doors slide up and open.

He gets out and strides to the trunk. I follow him and look over his shoulder as he pulls out a gleaming black bow and a quiver full of pink, red, and black tipped arrows. He slings both over his slender shoulders.

Then he turns to look at me, his eyes bright in the moonlight.

"I'll stand guard tonight," he says.

I cross my arms over my chest.

"You can't stand out here, alone, in the cold, all night," I say. "Come to the house – I can sneak you in."

It could be my imagination but I think his cheeks pinken slightly. He looks away and shakes his head.

"Go home, Lila," he says to me again, putting down the trunk of his car. "I'll pick you up after school tomorrow. My brother was right – if Valentine is back we need to continue your training."

Author note: Hi guys, me Lauren again! Just wanted to let you know that I'm taking a bit of a last minute trip today! Managed to book a cheap flight at the weekend so me and my boyfriend are heading to Venice, Italy until Saturday! Yay! So excited for all the pizza I'm going to eat! But just letting you know as it'll mean I'm a bit less active on here during the week.

Don't worry, I've got Wednesday and Friday's chapters lined up in my drafts, so I'll be able to publish on time :) 

Only thing that might change is I may do my new Feature Friday on Saturday instead of Friday this week (sorry! Terrible timing for second week of doing it!!!). That being said, I'll get it up on Friday if I can - it just depends how good the wifi is where I'm staying! 

Also - I have some news to tell you today! But I have to wait until it's been officially announced before i'm allowed to tell you and I'm guessing it'll be while I'm on the plane! So -if you're interested - keep an eye on my social media (LEpalphreyman on Twitter, and LaurenPalphreyman on Instagram) as I'll probably do a quick post on there when I land - and I'll tell you all about it on here when I get a bit of time!

***BTW - I couldn't think of a car for Charlie to drive.  It has to suit her, but also shouldn't be too expensive and something that a student might own. Any ideas? If you come up with a car I use I'll credit you for it in the chapter! I was going to go for a Ford Ka but realised they're not available in the US!***

Speak soon,

Lots of love,

Lauren 

xxx