Page 21

RENDEZVOUS IN THE PARK

S he met up with us in a small park not far from the notary’s office, wearing red leather armor, a pair of tight Dutch braids, and a skeptical expression. “You called?” Cupid asked, brows lifted.

“And you answered,” I replied with a big smile.

Her eyes narrowed. “You’re trouble, Leda Pandora. I’ve always said that.”

I shrugged. “And yet you came.”

“Yes.” Her sigh was soft, almost silent. “I can’t seem to help myself. I’m drawn to trouble.”

“I have that effect on people.” I smirked at her. “It’s a gift.”

Cupid’s gaze slid to Aspen standing right beside me. “How did Leda draw you into this?” She waved her hands around. “Whatever this is.”

“Actually, I dragged her into it,” Aspen told her. “She’s here to help me.”

“Help you do what exactly?”

“Become Queen and rule the world.”

“I see.” Cupid didn’t even blink. “Yes, that’s pretty much a day in the life of Leda Pandora, isn’t it?”

“So you’ll help us?” I asked her.

Cupid looked at me again. “You always look out for people. You help them when they’re in need. How could I not do the same?”

I nodded along to her words. “Plus, you really want me to owe you a favor.”

Cupid showed me a rare smile. “Yes, those favors do come in handy, don’t they?” She inhaled slowly. “So, what can I do for you?”

“Well, like Aspen said, we’re trying to make her Queen, but Lavinia, one of the competing princesses, is proving to be quite uncooperative.”

“How inconsiderate of her,” Cupid said, and I couldn’t tell if she was being serious or sarcastic. For someone who could control people’s emotions, she sure didn’t show many of them herself.

“We’re about to pay another visit to the grumpy notary,” I continued.

“He’s stubbornly refusing to sign Aspen’s documents, which she needs in order to compete for the crown.

We’re fairly certain that Lavinia paid him off.

We need you to use your considerable talents to make him reconsider his poor choice of allies. ”

“You have powerful siren magic,” Cupid said. “Can’t you just use that to persuade him yourself?”

“The people of this world are immune to traditional magic,” I told her.

“Really?” Cupid looked around at the other people in the park, her gaze pausing on a woman walking her dog. “Interesting.”

When the woman caught her staring, she picked up her tiny dog and ran the other way. Cupid frowned.

I looked between Cupid and the fleeing woman. “Do you always have such a strong effect on people?”

“Do you?” Cupid countered.

I smirked at her. “Obviously.”

“It’s the leather.” Cupid slid her hand down her armored forearm. “I told Dreamcatcher it intimidates people, but she insists that ‘superheroes wear super-suits’.”

“So you’re a superhero now?”

“Dreamcatcher seems to think we are, and I’ve found it’s easier not to argue with her when she gets a crazy idea in her head.”

“I don’t think the idea’s crazy,” I said. “I think it’s super .”

“Funny,” Cupid replied, her voice monotone.

“And since you’re such a super hero,” I continued, “how about you help us save the world from the villainous princess who wants to take it over?”

“You said your magic doesn’t work on these people,” Cupid said. “So how do you know my magic will?”

“Well, there’s only one way to find out,” I said, glancing at Aspen.

“Yes, I suppose there is.” Cupid drew back her bow, aiming an arrow at the princess.

Aspen’s eyes went wide. “Wait.” She took a step back. “You’re going to shoot me?”

“Don’t worry. If this works, you won’t feel a thing.” Cupid’s voice was calm but hardly reassuring—especially when spoken from behind a notched arrow.

“And if it doesn’t work?” Aspen asked, taking another step back.

“Then you’ll hardly feel a thing. It’s like a mosquito bite, nothing more.”

“How do you know?” Aspen hiccuped, panic creeping into her voice. “Have you tried this on yourself?”

“You mean, do I make a habit of shooting myself?” Cupid said levelly. “No. I can’t say that I do.”

“But—”

“Look, I know what I’m doing. I do this sort of thing all the time,” Cupid told her. “If you want my help, you’re going to have to trust me. This is the deciding moment. Right here and now, you have to decide just how badly you want to be Queen.”

Silence filled the vacuum of conversation, and the two women just stared at each other.

“You’re right,” Aspen finally said, settling her shoulders and standing tall. She swallowed. “Do it.”

“Good,” Cupid said, a hint of approval shining through her serious facade. “Now relax and hold still.” Then she shot the arrow at Aspen.