Psyche's Heart : CUPID'S MATCH BOOK 3

Chapter 60

An unnatural light washes over Cupid's face. I glance past him at smashed glass, an upturned table, and white petals scattered across Venus's office. The petals dance in a breeze, though we're inside and there are no windows to the room. I watch them.

"My love?" A low rough voice.

"Stay away from her," hisses Cal – jerking his head over his shoulder.

There's the crunch of a footstep as Valentine stills. I look up past Cal's pale face, and see him standing behind – his face bruised, shirt ripped. A pale white light reflects off the blood dripping from his nose. For the first time since I've known him he seems uncertain – moving from one foot to another, a crumple in his forehead.

"Lila?" Charlie's voice brings my gaze to her wide brown eyes.

Her lip is swollen, and the sleeves of her black dress are torn. I rub my eyes – trying to process everything that needs to happen; trying to process what I need to do.

"Is it still you?" she says.

The air in the room is heavy, the tension thick, as all eyes burn into me. I smile weakly. "Yeah. It's still me."

A rough, pained sound escapes Valentine's mouth – and I realize now that he thought I would not give up Psyche's heart. That when I came back I would be her, somehow. I should feel something at his disappointment. I feel nothing.

"Where are they?" I say – my voice croaky. "The gods. He said he'd take them."

Cupid's eyes darken as he shuffles back – gaze moving to the left. I follow it and find the source of the strange light.

Venus is suspended in the air by an unnatural white wind – face enraged, red hair whipping around her porcelain face. She's screaming but I can't hear it. Mars is held in the same position across the tiled floor – cheeks flushed and blue eyes bright even in the near darkness. Mino watches him warily - back leant against the wall, chest moving hard with ragged breaths.

"What happened?" says Cupid, putting a hand on my arm and bringing my attention jolting back to him.

I meet his eyes – his face close to mine. "I. . . I have something I need to tell you . . the favor -"

Something rumbles above us and the sound of thunder cracks through the room. I shut my mouth, eyes widening as two forks of lightening hit the gods as Jupiter fulfils his promise.

I lock gazes with Venus – seeing the fury in her unblinking, doll like eyes. Her full, painted lips twist into an enraged scream, mouth opening unnaturally wide. Her white skin lights up, and her dress made of red roses billows around her.

Cupid's hand tightens on my bare arm, his breathing heavy, as the air buzzes. Static energy makes me shudder. The winds rage.

It's not over, little match I see Venus mouth through the raging wind.