Page 45 of Leda's Log

Mr. Barrens got to his feet, gazing upon Cupid with that doting look, like she could do no wrong.

“Ok, Aspen, hand Cupid your bundle of paperwork,” I said. “Then she will give them to Mr. Barrens.”

“Me?” Cupid asked.

“Sure. You’re the one he’s in love with, so you’re the one who can convince him to sign Aspen’s papers.”

“He’s notactuallyin love with me,” Cupid said as she took the papers from Aspen. “The arrow’s just made him susceptible.”

“Susceptible to your charms?” I smirked at her.

“Susceptible to suggestion,” she said tightly, clearly not in the mood to be charming.

That only made me want to tease her more. “Susceptible to yourcharmingsuggestions?”

Cupid made an impatient noise. “Seriously, Leda, you spend an awful lot of time speaking nonsense.”

“I know. A little sprinkling of nonsense goes a long way toward making life interesting.”

Cupid’s eyes narrowed. “And what doesa lotof nonsense do?”

“Shall we find out?”

“No.”

“It’s weird how he’s staring at her,” Aspen commented, frowning at Mr. Barrens. “All silent and stalky.”

“Sometimes a powerful arrow robs the target of their ability to speak.” Cupid waved her hand in front of his face, but all he did was smile even more. “The effect is temporary.”

“Is his case of the lovesies temporary?” I asked her.

“Of course.”

“Do you want it to be?” I gave my eyebrows a mischievous wiggle.

“Of course!”

“So he can’t talk.” Aspen snapped her fingers in front of Mr. Barrens’s eyes. He didn’t react, not even to blink. “But can heunderstand us? Because it’s going to be hard to get him to sign my papers if he can’t understand anything.”

Cupid handed Mr. Barrens the papers. “Take these.”

He took them.

Cupid looked at Aspen and declared, “He understands us.” Then she pointed at the papers in the notary’s hands and barked in that same commanding voice, “Sign these.”

“Hey, try using a little honey, sister,” I said.

“Sorry, all the honey I’ve got was in that arrow I shot into his back,” she said drily.

“I totally believe you,” I laughed.

But it didn’t seem to matter. Honey or no honey, Mr. Barrens was more than happy to sign Aspen’s papers and put his big official stamp on them. The problem came when we packed up to leave. He tried to follow us out of the office.

“No, you stay here,” I said, blocking the door.

Mr. Barrens looked at Cupid, his eyes wide.

“Tell him,” I said to her.

---