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Nico waited. But there was nothing. No booming, rushing voice taunting him, coercing him to reveal his most painful secret.
Then, suddenly, Cupid’s voice was everywhere:You know what you need to do.
The words whizzed past Nico’s ear.
Nico tried to act unfazed. It was just a dream. About a god who had left Nico wounded, shattered and exposed … but still a dream. This time, he wouldnotbe Cupid’s chew toy.
He crossed his arms. ‘I get it,’ he said. ‘I don’t need convincing any more! I’ll go to Tartarus!’
That’s not enough, Nico di Angelo. Look upon me.
‘Look upon you? But I thought no one could see you in your true form!’
Unseen, Cupid slammed into him, hurling Nico backwards into a broken column.
Look upon me!
Cupid was now so close that Nico could feel his breath on his face.
‘Ican’tsee you!’ Nico screamed. ‘Stop with these games!’
I AM HERE.
The voice came from behind him now, and all the hair stood up on Nico’s arms. It was an instantaneous reaction – a fear so primal that without even thinking it, without issuing the command, Nico called forth skeletons. They rose from the earth beneath his feet, moss and dirt and decay hanging from their bones. They ringedNico, their sticklike arms in defensive postures, ready to fight for him.
Turn around, Nico. Look upon me.
The voice had shifted direction again. Nico did not want to look. He had no rational reason to believe this, but he was convinced that if he actuallydidsee Cupid, he would die.
‘Please, Nico. Look at me.’
The voice had changed. It was warm, like honey, like a late-summer sunset, like the first rush of heat from a campfire.
It was Cupid.
No.
It waslove.
Nico turned slowly, and there stood Will Solace, his golden hair lit oh-so-perfectly in the dreamlike daylight of Salona. He wore the red smiling-sun T-shirt that Nico had bought him as a joke, and that pair of camouflage shorts with the frayed hems. He strode barefoot over to Nico.
Deep inside, Nico suspected that this was still Cupid, playing games with him, but his anger softened anyway.
‘Will,’ said Nico. ‘I don’t understand. What is this?’
‘Listen,’ said Will, stepping closer.
‘I’vebeenlistening! Why won’t anyone tell me what I’m listeningfor?’
Will reached out and Nico did, too, but just before Will’s hand touched Nico’s, he pulled back.
‘You have to do something, Nico,’ said Will, his eyes soft and sad.
‘I know.’
Will shook his head. ‘It’s more than you think. When the time comes, tell me the truth.’
Nico laughed. There was an edge of hysteria to his voice, butlaughter was the only reaction that made sense at this point. ‘Sure, Will. Cupid. Cwill? Wupid? What do I call you?’
