Arrow to the Heart: A Cupid Romance

Chapter 42

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The lobby of the Institution's main office is exactly what you'd expect of the world's oldest bureaucratic organization—minimalist decor, fluorescent lighting, white marble, floor-to-ceiling glass panels, brushed metal signage, and a few strategically placed potted plants. It's exactly the kind of forgettable corporate headquarters that commuters and passersby will spend their lives ignoring, completely unaware of what goes on here.

Of course, that's what the Fates do best—being everywhere and nowhere. Controlling everything they can and leaving no fingerprints.

I guess that's what we both do best.

Most of the employees here are Fates themselves, all female and born into the family business of manipulation and power-grabbing. You can spot them by their dark brown hair, olive skin, and eyes with a gold ring around the iris. They always have their hair pulled back into a braid or two; not sure if it's mandated by a corporate dress code or if it's just a fashion choice they've all made. Either way, it's fucking creepy to see them all walking around the lobby like uncanny clones.

It's one of many reasons I tend to avoid meeting with anyone directly, outside of the occasional drop-off or debrief. But if I'm going to get to the bottom of whatever's going on between the Fates and Bree, I have to get my hands dirty this time.

I approach the front desk, where a receptionist is giving me a saccharine smile.

"Hello," he says. "How can I help you today?"

"I have an appointment with Lydia."

"Sure thing. Can I get your name?"

"Saint."

His eyes flick upward from his computer screen for a moment and his smile falls just slightly. He looks back at his computer and swallows hard before typing something.

I guess my reputation still has that effect.

"Yes Sir, I have your appointment right here Sir. Just a moment, Sir. I'll let her know you're here."

I hear a slight waver in his voice and I can't help but smirk.

There's something surprisingly satisfying about inspiring fear in others; I never get tired of it. Especially after I spent the first half of my life being the weakling in fear.

But everyone in our world fears a Cupid—especially a full-blood. Sure, a shifter or a banshee might be more physically intimidating... but one well-timed touch from a strong Cupid can destroy your life.

And fuck if I don't revel in that power.

He picks up his desk phone and rings someone, presumably Lydia, and tells me she'll be down in a moment.

I'm half an hour early, which has probably thrown her off. That's the goal; I prefer to have them on the back foot and making mistakes, and Fates really hate deviation from the plan. After a minute, a woman in a professional black dress heads strides toward me with her best forced smile.

"Mr. Saint, hello!" she says, her voice slightly strained and her breath heavy. "I hadn't expected you so early. What a pleasant surprise!"

It's not. She hates me a little right now.

"It's just Saint," I say, extending a hand.

She looks down at my hand with discomfort, clearly debating whether or not to shake it. I have no plan to use my powers on her, but she's probably wise to be suspicious.