The Cupid War (16 page)

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A
lot changed over the weeks that followed. Jada called upon Fallon and Owen for support in her role as leader, and worked with them to restructure the organization. Many changes were necessary to reverse the harm Louis had left as his legacy.

First and foremost, all Cupids were required to meditate for at least one hour every day. Alexander led classes to teach them how. Fallon started a class to teach Cupids to project shields.

Another big change, suggested by Fallon, involved the Love cubes. He pointed out that he would not have been able to do half the things he'd done if he hadn't stolen Love from other Cupids' cubes. Fallon suggested that the distribution of Love should be equal for all Cupids, so that newer ones like himself need never be without a steady supply. Owen said that Cupids would slack off if they always had Love available. Jada ignored him and put the plan into practice.

Jada created an office for herself so that Cupids had a place to go when they needed her. She also made a pledge, at Fallon's insistence, to look into the fates of those Cupids stuck in Limbo. Owen said that some were in there for a good reason.

“You thought I was put in there for a good reason,” Fallon pointed out, and Owen fell silent.

“I'll review all the cases,” Jada assured them both. “Thanks for your input. Now, get back out there and do your jobs, you two! That Love ain't gonna make itself.”

“Yes, ma'am!” Owen said, tossing off a salute before turning and leaving Jada's office. Fallon followed, but Jada called him back.

“How's Sandra working out?” she asked.

“She's still a bit freaked,” Fallon told her. “Post-traumatic stress, I guess. Couldn't have been easy being a Suicide. She's got promise, though. And she united her second couple yesterday.”

“Good,” Jada said. “Keep me posted. Now”—she held up a hand—“back to work, or else!” She snapped her fingers and a bolt of energy crackled around them.

“Yikes!” Fallon said, hopping in mock fear. “I'll get right to it!”

They laughed, then Fallon turned and left the office.

“Are we going back to the school again?” Sandra asked as she and Fallon approached the portals.

“We might,” Fallon replied.

“Come on. We're going to visit your girlfriend, aren't we?”

“Yes,” Fallon admitted. “But only for a few minutes. Then we'll try the corporate building a few blocks away, stir up some office romances.”

“Just a few minutes, huh?” Sandra said. “I'll believe that when I see it.”

Fallon smiled and said nothing. His relationship with Trina was all he could think about sometimes. And not just because he'd gotten a lot better at physical interactions, either.

But he wasn't letting that get in the way of Sandra's training. He'd asked Jada to let him be her mentor, and he took the responsibility seriously.

She hadn't taken the news about her father at all well.

“Everything he did, he did to protect you,” Fallon had told her, and he believed it to be true. He hoped he didn't run into Louis when Sandra was around, though. She'd have trouble dealing with that.

Fallon and Sandra stepped through the portal into the main lobby of Guildwood Mills High School. It was full of bustling students; classes had just let out. Fallon knew he didn't have much time if he was going to visit Trina.

“I'll meet you back here,” Sandra said. “You go have your fun.”

“Thanks,” Fallon said. “Oh, Sandra, remember … ”

“ … to keep my shield up and my wits about me,” Sandra finished for him. “I won't forget.”

Fallon knew she wouldn't. Still, the thought of her facing a Suicide left him anxious. He hoped it didn't show that much.

“Stop worrying about me!” Sandra called over her shoulder as she headed into the nearest classroom.

Fallon smiled and waved, and then he spotted the time on the wall clock. If he didn't hurry …

He waited. He was sure this was the right spot, and Trina was often the last one to …

In front of him, the door of Trina's locker opened. Trina stood there, clad only in a towel, dripping wet from the shower. Behind her, the rest of the girls' changing room was empty.

“Oh!” Trina cried, jumping in surprise. The motion knocked the towel loose and it fell to the floor. Her hands flashed across her chest as she glared at Fallon with outrage.

Fallon burst out laughing. A moment later, Trina joined him.

“I'm gonna get you for this!” she said, punching through his chest.

“You've already got me,” he replied, taking her face in his hands.

“Pretty corny, Fallon,” Trina said.

“Ricky,” Fallon said. “Call me Ricky.”

Their lips met, and Ricky Fallon had never felt so alive.

The End

About the Author

Timothy Carter was born in England during the week of the final lunar mission, and he turned thirteen on Friday the 13th. He still thinks those two things are pretty cool.

Timothy grew up in Canada's National Capital Region and studied Dramatic Arts at Algonquin College. His YA novels include
Evil?
,
Epoch
,
Attack of the Intergalactic Soul Hunters
, and
Closets
. He has also written the adult-themed novel
Section K
. Timothy lives and writes in Toronto, Canada, with his wife and two cats. To learn more about him, visit www.timothycarterworld.com.