Callista isn't exactly the best in the business. When it comes to being a cupid, she struggles, and her snarky little lovebird pixie assistant isn't any help. She's already in hot water with her boss and has to make her monthly quota by the cupids'...
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The park is sparse today, which would make sense since it's the harshest part of winter. The weather is going out like a lion this year, spiking the air with a harsh, bitter cold that keeps humans inside.
It makes walking to my next appointment a pleasant, quiet stroll.
"Should we really be filling more orders right now with Mr. Son out there running around love-free?" Poppy asks, breaking the silence.
My momentary bliss shatters as my eyes dart up to her zooms around my head. I shake my head. "No, we still need to get these orders out. We can't let last night's events stop us from doing our job." Besides, I don't need the council to become suspicious by requesting a hold on my assignments.
Poppy zips through the bare branches of a tree, knocking a pile of snow off the branches as she does. "I just thought maybe we should be hunting Mr. Son down and trying to set him up with his soulmate again."
"We have to figure out who his soulmate is supposed to be first, Poppy," I tell her as I check the time on my watch. We're having a good time, thankfully. As soon as we are in the clearing my target is supposed to show up in, I settled against a tree. It's a good thing I can't feel the cold quite like humans can. Otherwise, I'd freeze my ass off right now. The short toga that barely covers my ass and the golden sandals doesn't do much for warmth.
"The day after Valentine's Day is such a weird day to fall in love," Poppy states as she lands on a branch above my head.
I shrug as I scan the clearing, looking for the woman who will get an arrow to the heart. "No more peculiar than any other day. Valentine's Day love is superficial and fake anyway."
In an instant, Poppy is in my face with puffed, angry, red cheeks. "Take it back."
"No," I scoff and gently move her out of the way, but she's right back where she was.
"You're a cupid; you can't say any love you create between two humans is fake." The look on her face cuts through me like I destroyed her purpose.
I sigh and push off the tree. "Fine. I take it back. Whatever targets I shoot are pure and lasting loves."
"Thank you, besides, you can't actually believe Valentine's Day isn't the best day to fall in love," she says in a huff as she lands on my shoulder. "It's your dad's b-"
"Shh," I stop her as I see the young woman I'm meant to shoot walk up the path. Her hands are loaded with leashes attached to dogs in variant sizes. Some of the bigger breeds are giving her a hard time.
As the hour for her appointment ticks closer, I ready bow and arrow. The air around me tightens like a cord, signaling the build-up as I aim. I have to stay focused. I'm not a screw-up. I'm a damn good Amara.
I don't even pay attention to where she's looking. It doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is releasing this shot at just the right time.
Just as it feels like the atmosphere snaps, I release my sting with a thud. The slider arrow soars through the air and instantly sinks into the young woman's heart.
