I peer down the corridor.

Shadowy figures approach us from both sides, emerging from the small cells. In a few moments time the group of prisoners surround us.

I catch Charlie's eye, stood at the front. She looks exhausted but grins when she sees me. I can't help but wonder what she would have experienced in her version of the Sim.

What would Charlie's worst nightmare be?

Selena is stood beside her, an irritable look on her face, and I notice Medusa staring at me among the group. She is no longer blindfolded and I see that her eyes are an unnatural glassy blue; they stand out against her dark, tanned complexion.

I recoil slightly as I notice the black snake curled around her right arm.

Others in the crowd greet each other like old friends; I recognise Hermes, from the Elysium club, chatting animatedly to a group of dishevelled looking gladiators, and Pandora talks warily to a wolfish looking teenager.

Leant against the wall by the back I spot the Minotaur; he is watching Crystal, a half smile playing about his lips.

Cupid looks around as Cal stands tensely beside me.

"I guess you are all now aware of our...little predicament" says Cupid.

"You mean the one where you brought back an Ancient Goddess who wants to kill you and your girlfriend?" drawls a girl.

Girlfriend?

I know we've kissed, and he's my match – but we've not exactly had the girlfriend-boyfriend talk.

I find my eyes flickering up at Cupid, wondering how he will react.

There is an amused expression on his face and he looks like he's about to speak when the slender boy stood beside her ruffles her hair.

"You're always such a grump in the mornings little sister" he grins.

As she scowls and shrugs him off I feel my eyes widen; both of them have black feathered stumps jutting out through the backs of their cotton shirts.

Wings?!

The male catches Cupid's eye.

"My sister Icarus and I are both grateful to you for freeing us – and will be honoured to help you take down Venus." He says "But this is not an easy task. Do you have a plan?"

Cupid smiles politely.

"Well, I'm glad you ask Daedalus" he says.

He throws a sideways look at Cal. "Erm...Plan brother?"

Cal nods- his stern expression emphasising the angles in his face.

"The trial is due to start any minute now" he says "We'll allow it to proceed as planned."

"What?! Are you kidding me? I'm not..." interrupts Crystal.

Cal fires her a cold look.

"Do you think I want to put you all in danger?" he snaps "It's the only way to get the Finis close enough to Venus. I need to get into the courtroom with it, and I can't if we've already gone into battle."

My stomach turns.

So I am going to be put on trial after all?

Cupid frowns and I feel a shift in his mood. It seems he wasn't expecting this.

"What is it, exactly, that we are doing here then?" says the Minotaur "You know I was perfectly happy where I was before."

His dark eyes slide across the odd group stood before him onto Crystal.

"Well...almost" he adds, raising an eyebrow.

Cal looks at him distastefully.

"You're here to serve as a distraction" he says.

The Minotaur raises his eyebrows, inviting Cal to continue.

"When Venus officially starts the trial, you'll break into the courtroom and the battle will start" Cal says. "Venus' attention will be averted, and I'll fire the arrow."

"What about our weapons?" says Pandora to a murmur of agreement among the others.

"I managed to recruit a couple of agents" Cal replies "When the four of us are up in the trial room, they'll bring down your weapons."

Somewhere above the sound of marching footsteps vibrates the dungeon ceiling and makes the artificial light jitter. Cal looks down at his wrist and frowns.

"We haven't much time" he says "Everyone back in their cells. The Matchmaking Agents are making their way to the courtroom. I need to get back upstairs to avoid suspicion."

He looks at Cupid and Crystal - then his silvery eyes settle on me. There's a pained expression on his usually stern face. For a moment he looks like he's going to say something but then he shakes his head.

"Good luck guys" he mutters.

Turning on his heel he heads through the group of Myths.

"Brother?" calls Cupid – his voice unusually serious.

Cal glances over his shoulder.

"When you fire the arrow...don't miss."

The two brothers share a look and Cal nods. He glances at me one last time, then he strides out of sight down the corridor.

Everyone stands in silence for a moment, as though contemplating the enormity of the battle ahead, before Cupid steps forward.

"Better get back to the cells" he says "Someone'll be down for us any minute."

A few groans resound about the damp corridor before the beings skulk back to the constrains of their tiny barred rooms. Charlie touches my arm as she passes me by.

"You OK?" she asks.

I nod.

"Yeah. You?" I reply "What happened in the Sim?"

A dark look crosses her face.

"Oh, it was awful" she says "I was trapped in an eternal history lesson, and there weren't even any boys."

I think back to the closing walls, the gluttonous monster and the rivers of blood that we had faced, and raise my eyebrows.

"Sounds terrible..." I say.

She grins.

"That is until Icarus and her brother got there to break me out..."

She looks past me at the slender male who had spoken earlier – her dark eyes twinkling.

I roll my eyes.

"What?!" she says "He's hot!"

She grins at me then makes her way to her cell, turning round and looking at me before entering.

"Be careful Lila" she says seriously before disappearing behind the door.

Minutes later the corridor is clear, leaving just me and Cupid standing in the dim light. He moves in front of me, looking into my eyes with an uncharacteristic seriousness.

"I'm sorry Lila" he says. "I've put you in so much danger."

He shakes his head.

"I should never have come here."

I frown. Logically I know he's right, he shouldn't have come here, but still I feel a pang of hurt as he says it.

I know things are bad, but I'm still glad I met him.

I shrug.

"Well, you're here now." I say.

He looks at me, his eyes blazing, then brushes his hand through his ruffled hair.

"That's the thing" he says "After all this is over...I think....I think I'm going to go. Get out of your way. I've caused enough trouble."

I feel a jolt in my stomach.

"But once Venus is gone there won't be any more trouble?" I say.

He shakes his head. There's pain in his expression.

"I've made up my mind Lila" he says "I'm selfish and weak. I'm no good for you."

I glare at him.

"You mean you'll go because once Venus is gone you've done what you came here to do?" I snap. "You were just using me after all."

A flash of hurt crosses his face just as the screech of stone fills the corridor.

Someone is coming.

Cupid catches my eye.

"Lila, we can talk about this later..." he says "It's time."

He looks at me and reaches out for my hand. His fingers brush against mine but I pull away.

My insides writhe around inside me, and I'm unsure whether the cause is Cupid's words, or the impending trial.

Without saying another word I head back to my cell.

"Lila..." he says.

He grabs my arm just as I'm pushing the door open and spins me around.

I stare up at him – my face inches from him. There's a ferocity in his eyes and I can feel his warm breath on my skin. He loops his other arm around the back of my waist and pulls me into him.

"I wasn't using you" he says firmly.

My whole body feels as though it is tingling.

"Cupid..." I croak, my voice shaking "If you're going to leave then we shouldn't..."

Before I can finish he presses his lips to mine. My heart races as I feel his warmth and taste his kisses.

His breathing becomes harder and more ragged as I grab the back of his shirt, gripping it with my fingers. I can feel his muscles tensed beneath.

Then suddenly he pulls away.

I look up at him, breathless, unsure of what to think.

Does he want to be with me or not?

Then I realise why he pulled away.

There are voices down the corridor.

"Go back in the cell" whispers Cupid urgently.

His eyes burn into mine, and I notice a slight flush across his cheeks.

"Put the microchip back in your ear and act as though you've just come out of the Sim." he says "It's what the agents will be expecting. They're programmed to stop at the time of a prisoner's trial."

I nod and open the door.

"Cupid?" I whisper "Are we going to be OK?"

He smiles but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.

"Course" he says "The Myths are a match for Venus' army, I'll be there to protect you, and my brother has the Finis and...well...he's not a bad shot."

The voices get closer and Cupid pushes me inside.

"See you on the other side..." he says.

I throw myself back down on the seat in the cell and slip the chip back in my ear. Cupid looks at me one last time then closes the door and disappears out of view.

My heartbeat thumps hard against my ribcage as I hear the approaching sound of boots against the floor.

A few moments later the face of the Commander appears through the bars of the door. There are six armed guards stood behind him down the corridor.

I feel a wave of nausea. My whole body is trembling.

"Wakey wakey, rise and shine" says the Commander "Venus and her army are waiting."

He smiles a cold smile.

"It's time for the trial."

I know! I know! In Greek Mythology they're father and son! I was first draft experimenting! It didn't work! They are not in the version that will be published in October!!! (also - I really don't like the bit in this chapter where Cupid is saying he'll leave afterwards! I cut this bit too and replaced it with something different!)

Hope you're enjoying the story!

love, Lauren

xxx

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