Page 12 of Incurably Cupid

“Yes, Ma’am,” I said. I nearly saluted but felt that might be detrimental to my continued well-being.

Chapter 5

Indie

“Love serves.”

Cupid Inc. New Recruit Training Manual

Ihad no idea how I’d been saddled with a gargoyle for the next two weeks, but between this and taking over for Professor Ziesta—who was on maternity leave for the next several months—I tried, as subtly as possible, to scrub off the invisiblesuckersign that must surely be written across my forehead in black Sharpie. Meanwhile, Mesmer was getting acquainted with his fae wheelchair, Lance.

Mesmer shot me a deeply suspicious look before glancing at the wheelchair and then back at me. “I’m not sitting in a sentient wheelchair.”

Give me patience. “Why not?”

His expression flattened, as if he was having trouble understanding my confusion. “Because I will be sitting on him. The back of my front will beonhim.”

I rubbed my temples and closed my eyes. Had I been put under some kind of bad luck curse? It sometimes happened to cupids, I’d heard.

“Umm, my man, that’s not really how this works,” Lance interjected. “I have a speaker, not a face. And yes, I’m sentient, but my whole purpose in life is to give you wheels and help you get around while you can’t move very well, so I don’t really mind. I’ve had all my shots, I promise.”

Stars and Hearts, I wanted to laugh. But I heroically managed to restrain myself.

“Mesmer,” I growled,“just get in the chair!”

King Draven, who was repacking some of Mesmer’s things before we left for my home, had to sit down because he was laughing so hard. Mesmer glared at him before daintily lowering himself onto the plushly cushioned wheelchair. Lance automatically lifted the bar supporting the footrests, and King Draven helped him position his feet before handing me his duffle bag.

“Thank you, King Draven,” I said with a respectful nod before grabbing hold of the wheelchair’s back.

“Home.”

We dematerialized, then rematerialized just outside my cottage. For security purposes, no cupid could blink directly into a home. The closest we could appear was just outside the front door.

As my cozy little house came into view, I glanced down at Mesmer. He had gone very still, looking a little chalky and suddenly more… solid.

“You can’t change to your rock form,” I warned quickly.

“Then please warn me next time you do that.” His tone was steady despite his words, and as the tension in his muscles eased, his color began to return to normal.

Oh. Yeah, that was a valid point. “Sorry. It’s just second nature for us cupids. I forget other paranormals aren’t used to it.”

He gave a short nod, glancing around as his breathing evened out.

Leo had arranged for workers to install a ramp beside my front steps, so when Lance moved to take it, I held him back for a moment and stepped ahead.

“Lance,” I said, palming my door. The smart house read my biosignature before unlocking. “Wait a moment. As tired as we all are, Mesmer needs to learn how to use you first.”

“10-4, boss lady.”

I grumbled under my breath as I hurried inside, setting my things on the kitchen table before placing Mesmer’s duffle bag in the guest room down the hall from mine.

“Take me with you! I’m dying of boredom!” Leo’s voice rang down the hall from my bedroom, where I’d left him days ago.

Sighing, I changed course to grab him before heading back outside. The crisp winter air was refreshing, so I didn’t bother grabbing a coat.

“Hey, Lance.”

“Hey, Leo. Nice to work with you.”

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