Chapter Five

RUBIN

I held on the lamp post as I struggled to stand. I look behind me and see my other wing fluttering hopelessly as the other hang on my back like an over size fluffy cape, limp and wet with silver liquid, cupid blood.

To my great luck, rain started pouring down upon me. I shivered as thunder rumbled.

I was so used to being safe and sound back in Eros watching over earth as it rain. I had wanted to experience the feeling of raindrops on my skin but now, I do not know if I should be crying because I could finally experience it or because I am so hurt and cold and alone.

How could a cupid do that to another cupid? I am just trying to be friendly. I feel so foreign, so bizarre and undesirable.

I limp towards a bench under the roof of a shop. Shivering, I reach out and touch the bangle on my foot, for a moment it shone and then, I was dry and happy again. I could feel my limp wing fluttering on my back as a new energy surged through my system, healing my bruise and taking away the pain.

Okay. One heart, down.

I check the arrows on my quiver, 47 couples more. I took a deep breath before I step out of the comforts of the roof above my head and out on the rain. It felt cold, and undeniably smooth against my skin as every drop flows down on it. I am shivering but not because I feel cold, I am shivering because I feel excited.

I snatch an arrow from my quiver and position it on my bow. My dress dripped, the long linens on my shoulder slithering on the pavement but it didn't bother me one bit. I close one of my eye and aim at the man who is crossing the street towards his car. But before I was able to send the arrow towards him, he pulled away from the parking lot. I stomped my feet but then I smiled to myself when suddenly the man had opened his window.

I gladly let go of the arrow and twirled as it blossom on the guy's chest. He momentarily stopped his car and got out. The arrow was halfway burried on his chest. He hopelessly look around until his eyes landed on a blonde girl, shielding herself of the rain with a book on top of her head.

He strode towards her, pulling her close before he lean down, kissing her. The book she was holding landed on the puddle on the pavement with a light slosh. The golden arrow blossomed on their chest and together they laugh.

I shook my head before I make my way towards a woman clad in a peach colored coat, her brown hair is plaited into two halves. She was seated in front of a cafe, sipping on a hot cocoa as she nibbled on a sugar coated bread. She looks very pretty even when she was crying right now. I focused on her mind and saw the reason why she was crying. Her memories flashed on my own head and I finally found the reason behind those tears.

She was heartbroken. Like, really.

Snatching another arrow from my quiver, I smiled as it buzzed underneath my fingers. The arrow knows it purpose and it is excited as I am. I quickly position it on my bow and let it fly across the glass wall of the cafe like it is water, hitting the girl. She was stunned as she clutch her chest, standing up. Her eyes then landed on a tall man who is currently ordering a coffee.

She stood and make her way towards the man. He was about to pay for his coffee when she turned him around, holding unto his waist before she stood on her tiptoe, pressing a solemn kiss on his lips.

His eyes widened for a moment as the girl deepen the kiss. The arrow blossomed and reach towards the guys chest, intertwining them.

I smiled and walk away. The wetness from the rain drops is really cold that I really shivered because of it this time. I took a deep breath and tried to comfort myself by crossing my hands over my chest and blowing on my hands.

I didn't notice that I was walking towards the direction of the building-the building on where he live. I remembered the window to his room, and the way it looks. Though I didn't know his name.

I shivered, again. The cold air blow my face and skin that it felt like it's biting it off.

I need to do this.

I need to confront him. I need to know why he is here, why they sent him and why he hated me. I need to at least get some answers for I never wanted a conflict on my mission. No matter what, I have to at least speak to him.

I wanted to take a shortcut and just slip through his window, unnoticed, but then I couldn't fly for my wings are dripping wet. I spot a couple of people walking out of the building and observe them as they made their way out.

There's a door!

I push open the elegant door and enter the building. The interior was even more beautiful, the rococo style making me sigh as I remember the Erosian castle. I was greeted by a man, though he look at me from head to foot, he still welcomed me in. Then, there was a lady sitting behind a long table. Her jet black hair was twisted in a bun, her dimpled cheek was adorned with a smile.

"Bonjour, mademoiselle. Comment puis-je vous aider? (Hello, miss. How may I help you?)" It was clear to me that she is speaking to me in French. I rake my brains and said, "Bonjour, Je cherche quelqu'un. (I am looking for someone) Il est à propos de ce grand, (He's about this tall)," I stretch up my arms before continuing, "Ses yeux sont gris, il a des lèvres en forme de coeur, un nez très droit (His eyes are gray, he has heart shaped lips, a very straight nose) and oh, he lives in room...J'ai oublié, désolé. (I forgot, sorry)" I bit my lip she stared at me, frowning at my back where my wings was attached.

"I'm sorry but we really do not give information about our clients." She suddenly replied in English with a heavy hint of French accent on it. I lean on her desk, "But I really need to talk to him. C'est assez urgent (This is quite urgent)." She stared at me for awhile before muttering in French. Saying something about him meeting me in a bar and I wanting to hook up with him again.

"What izz your connection to him?" she asked, her eyes still scrutinizing me. "I'm..Je," I cleared my throat before continuing "Je suis son ami (I am his friend." The lady nodded her head on my direction before pressing a button.

"Room 377." She stared back at me before her fingers moved over a black pad, she momentarily pause, "Oh. I'm sorry but, Mr. Daemon Ford has gone out. Maybe you could come back later." She concluded, her eyes drifting from me and back to her work.

I just stood there for a moment, weighing my choices. Shall I wait for him today? Or should I just come back tomorrow? Or...I could sneak up the stairs and find his room!

I stared at her for a moment before looking back at the man near the doors. Rain is still pouring outside and in here is much better. I feel safe and warm in here even though the lady is not so welcoming.

I decided to follow my instincts and slid away from the desk. I sneakily made my way to the stairs, occasionally glancing on my back before running up the steps.

The corridor then split into two. I started going for the left wing.

350

.

.

343

.

.

338

.

.

325

.

.

312

.

.

"HOLY CUPID!"

I slap my forehead, irritated of my own silliness. It seems that I am going on the wrong direction.

I started running towards the right wing, my dress dripping water on the carpet. I glared at the man who is pushing the cart as he is staring at me like I am some kind of a lunatic.

I guess I appear like one.

I started counting up the rooms,

58

.

.

65

.

.

70

.

76

.

77!

It was a simple Cedar wood door, only a representation that he is a Cupid, too. It gives us energy and power. The cherubim situated outside his doors look ridiculous. What with the petal crown and necklaces accentuating how little both of the cherubim are.

I tried for the door but it was locked, as expected. I ran my hands on the surface of the door, feeling the power and the enchantments on it as it lightly pulse beneath my hand. I pulled out one of the arrows from my quiver and slide the fletching along the knob.

With a smile, I open the door with ace and slid in.

I did not expect for him to have a very acceptable room. The floor was completely covered by different patches of carpet. A motorcycle was fashioned on the side. The curtain hanging by the window looks like the flag I've seen from England. There were spiral of circles afloat near the window, the same size that is on a table beside the leather sofa. A wooden coffee table sat in the middle of his living room, holding what seems like a weighing scale.

The steel arrows that I saw from him was tossed carelessly on the sofa, a blanket barely covering it. No clothes was tossed on the floor rather they were hung on the arms of the leather sofa. There is also a large mirror reflecting the canoe shaped stairs on the back of the sofa. The shelves situated near the windows held a couple of books, the only thing that really drew me in.

My hands brushed through the spines of the books. I pulled out one of the books that is entitled: Eros: A Cupid History and randomly opened it. But instead of finding words in it, it reflected a couple of gold diagrams floating on the cream colored pages. Mesmerize but bored, I pulled out another one that is under the title of "Cupid Conundrums".

The letters and sentences appear golden against the cream pages. The paper, although old, smelt like it was newly printed. The font look so elegant that it kind of reminds me of Grandma Aprodite's handwriting.

I put the book inside the pocket of my robes before entering another room on the right which appears to be a bedroom.

It was very simple. The window was closed, as expected. As for his bed which is facing the entry way, the wool brown blanket on top contrasted the black bed sheets and pillowcases. A couple of books sat at the bench which is situated at the foot of the bed. There are maps and globes everywhere, too.

I scrutinized one of them, the biggest of all and saw red pins that is carefully stuck on it. There are lines connecting one unto the other and there are dates on it, way back from 1400 until today.

Geez, that is creepy.

I took one of the books which is red in color. I did not understand the words at first but then I realize that it is written in our Old tongue. I was so curious of reading it that I did not notice him going inside the room through the balcony of his living room.

"What the fuck?"

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