Page 73 of Cupid's Last Arrow

Hypnos mentioned I was going to be betrayed. Is it Carl or Eros—or both?

I try to pull off my ring to cast it away, but it’s stuck fast to my finger. I growl, but I don’t utter the god’s name even in my mind.

I recline my bucket seat. It isn’t exactly the most comfortable bed, but it doesn’t matter.

I tighten the blanket over my body. I’m not cold yet, but there’s something quite soothing in a blanket, like it can shield you from monsters lurking under beds and closets—or in my case, in the surrounding forest.

Instead of monsters, I’m trying to protect myself from gods and lovers, but I doubt a blanket will do much to prevent gods from messing with my mortal life.

The sun sets, but the twilight provides just enough light to see the wilderness in front of me. I contemplate wandering out into the unknown and never returning.

I can’t believe how poorly my relationship with Carl has gone. His touches weren’t horrible, but they lacked something that Eros made me feel—treasured and adored.

However, I suppose it’s unfair to compare Carl to a love god. Besides, it means nothing that I felt more treasured with Eros—being loving is literally who he is.

Perhaps all this time, I held back because if things didn’t work out, I would have to admit I wasted years pining after him. Well, at least I was productive during that time, building my portfolio, saving money, and honing my craft. Although, I wouldn’t have minded having a loving relationship during that time as well.

A chilling thought pops into my mind.What if I only loved Carl because I couldn’t have him?

No. I loved him before I knew I couldn’t have him, and he wasn’t so closed off in college. He didn’t change until after graduation… after United Merchants hired him… after he possibly worked for a god.

Darkness has fallen, but in the faint glow of the moon, there’s movement beyond my windshield. Is it an animal? It looks too big to be anything other than a man or a…god.

Dammit!

Swinging my seat to the upright position, I turn the ignition, but nothing happens. Not even the click of the starter.

Without a doubt, I know my engine trouble is from a supernatural cause.

Suddenly, someone pops into the seat next to me, and I curse. Without looking over, I know it isn’t Eros. The energy is all wrong.

20

GONE

Sitting in my car with a god next to me, I realize I can’t move when I finally try to see who it is. His energy is heavy, and I feel dread in the very marrow of my bones with his sudden presence.

The imposing god in the passenger seat has yet to speak. He feels nothing like Eros, and I fear that’s only because I have been fooled.

Carl kept things from me all these years. Why not Eros?

The fading twilight is almost nonexistent now, and I don’t enjoy being trapped in the dark with this male.

Limited to my peripheral vision, I barely make out long legs covered in black leather pants. Hypnos? But no, it doesn’t feel like him either.

My throat doesn’t work when I try to ask what he wants—not even a groan or grunt escapes. I’m completely paralyzed. If I didn’t already feel helpless, I would now.

“Did you think you could hide fromme?” he whispers.

My throat unlocks, and I know I can talk, so I do. “I don’t even know who you are. What do you want from me?”

“That is the question, isn’t it?” The male god leans over. He doesn’t smell like Eros’s crisp spring day. This god smells like leather and a fire on a winter night.

A callused finger trails down my cheek.

I want to turn my head away, but I haven’t been granted the freedom of movement other than to speak.

“You haven’t called for your love god yet,” he says in a mocking tone. “Why is that?”

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