Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Chapter Six : Cupid at home

CAELUM

My fist tightened on the phone as I reread the message. He couldn’t possibly be talking nonsense again. I’ve had enough of this. I glared down and read his following message.

‘ I am serious–you can smell it all over your house. Hades is coming for you! What have you done to make him aware?’

My jaw tightened as I turn off my phone. “What’s the matter?”

“Huh?” I turn my gaze on her and was surprise to see her finishing her third serving of chocolate cake.

“Why are you staring at the black pad like you will chuck it off at the middle of the ocean?”

“Black pad?” her odd words startled me that I gave her a slight smile, shaking the black pad on my hand with disbelief apparent on my face.

Surely, she doesn’t mean the phone? I shake my head of the slight amusement she have provided for me. I can’t believe how ignorant she was of the mortal world.

“You mean this?”

She nodded, focusing her eyes on the black pad. “It’s not called black pad, silly, this is a phone , you see,” I lean down and showed her, scrolling on it. I look at her face and I am surprise to see her focused on it. “a phone.” I repeated, her eyes ogling at the screen

“ A phone, ” She repeated and I nodded at her, smiling before the message from my phone made me sigh once again.

I can’t believe it. How did Hades followed me? I am careful of my actions and I have never–

I looked down and noticed her staring up at me with her eyes wide with curiousity. I sighed in exasperation. There is a possibility that Hades tracked me through her, it may be that her powers led me to him. I hate to leave her like this but I have to go and devise a plan with Aeon to get rid of Hades.

He will know what I should do. Aeon always knows what to do.

I snapped myself out of the pitiful glance I gave her and shake my head slightly; what am I doing? Why am I acting like this?

Is it because of the kiss?

Well, I wouldn’t consider it a kiss, really, it is more like a peck, a brush of my lips on hers. It was an accident and I didn’t mean for it to happen. I huffed.

Why am I acting like this over a kiss?

I have kissed so many girls before and have done more than a kiss with them so why am I acting like a teenager gushing over their crush? I rolled my eyes and sucked on my cheeks.

I peered down at her, a bit apologetic because she will be left here all alone but then, Zeus! Why should I even care about her, a cupid?

I tried to convince myself that thia is the better thing to do for I do not have to worry about Hades finding her. In that way, she won’t get involve with my business anymore and both of us will live in peace. “I have to go, it’s urgent, I am so sorry…” I pat her head, awkwardly, before pulling some money from my pocket. “Here’s a few euros,” I put them on her hand before drawing back, the weird current that electrified my skin shocked me every time we touch.

Weird. I would have to ask Aeon about that.

“Keep it safe and do survive, okay?”

I do not want to leave her like this but I should–I really have to go. I gave her another look, wave my hands and walk towards the wind.

*

I dusted off my coat and looked around, noticing Aeon as he stood, dressed in his navy pajamas and odd purple coat with golden swirls, his platinum blond hair sticking up in every direction - he was glaring at me.

“Who the bloody hell did you bring here?” Aeon’s voice chilled my skin as the wind picks up, his marked face glistening with the late afternoon sun. Confused, I turn on my back to see Rubin crouching beneath the hedges, the red jacket making her very noticeable even if she tried to hide from view. Plus, her ginger hair doesn’t help at all as they flew around–creating the impression of a floating fire on the bushes.

How did she even–I sigh, before calling out, “Get out of there, Rubin and come here.” I can feel Aeon walking towards me as the wind picks up, “Who in the seventh temple of Zeus is this Rubin, Caelum? I told you, this is a private place! No other people or creature is allowed here besides you and me.” I close my eyes as I listen to him, ranting. “I made it very clear– this house is located here for a reason. Why do you not take me seriously?”

I openned my eyes thinking that he is done, only to be surprised as Aeon focuses his odd purple iris at me, startling me. “Caelum, I told you!” I swatted him away before giving him a glare. “I know. You told me a couple of times, and you repeated it again and again.” I turned back and yanked Rubin’s red sleeves, glaring down at her. Sheepishly, she tries to hide from me and Aeon, though I brought her back, making her stand between us. She looks around and I was surprise when she bounded over the edge of the cliff, “Wow!”

“Wow? What do you mean wow?!” The wind picks up as Aeon began seething with anger. Rubin sees his face and was shocked, “Why does he look like that, Caelum?” Though she have said it with a whisper I know Aeon had heard her for his hands began trembling as he stood over Rubin. “What did you say?” His eyes dangerously glinted as he reach out to take her. I stand next to Rubin and hold her close, shielding her from Aeon’s dangerous stance.

I know what he’s about to do and it won’t be a pretty sight to make him angry.

“Look here, mate,” I held up a hand against his direction as Rubin hides her face on my chest, “I didn’t mean to bring her here, okay? She can follow me through the wind. Foolishly and unknowingly, I brought her here so I apologize, okay? It won’t happen again.” I watched as Aeon’s fist relaxed on his sides. Rubin slightly trembles on my chest so I push her back, not used to giving some free hugs. She glared at me and I returned it, making her huff, “This is your fault.” I muttered on which she only stick her tongue out at me.

The marks on Aeon’s face gleamed as he nodded, drawing back and turning. The wind return to the same gusty of Wellington, but not as monstrous as before, while we trailed behind him, the three of us heading inside his house. The abode was big and bended in odd angles which made thick beams of the sun peek from the gigantic windows. Not much of furniture can be seen, just the essentials, though everything appears elegant. Aeon glares at me as he sat on his stiff dark sofa, snatching the remote control and switching the television on.

“Wow!”

Rubin bounded towards it, looking like a child excited to open her Christmas present. The both of us watched her as she happily gaze at the television, occasionally watching it before asking weird questions.

“How come they fit in there?” Aeon raises an eyebrow before focusing back on the show. I snatched the remote from him and smirked, “Why did you take that?” I clicked the remote and she gasped, “Where did they go? What did you do?!” She snatched the remote from me and swiped it on the television, clicking it and turning it off, “Oh no! Did I kill them, Caelum? Did I kill those Gaeans inside?” Tears began pooling on her eyes that she collapsed dramatically on the coffee table, sobbing. “I killed them!”

Aeon scratches his eyebrow, muttering, “Mental, completely mental,” he glared at me. “I didn’t know you had a weird taste for women, Caelum. This one is definitely mad–Congratulations, I am so happy for you!” I glared at him making him shut up as he covered his face, sniggering.

Carefully, I put a hand over her shoulder, shocking myself and her as she drew back, “You didn’t kill them, Rubin.”

“I didn’t?” I nodded, puzzled on how I should explain this to her. “But how come they are not there? Did I make them disappear?” I was about to tell her that she had just simply switch the television off when she stands, heading towards the television and peering at the back, “Hello?”.

Oh, golly.

“Mental. Absolutely mental, no doubt.” Aeon shakes his head furiously as he leaned his head back and snorted. I pulled Rubin back to the sofa, took the remote from her and switch the television on. “They’re back! They are back, Caelum. Oh, thank Zeus.” Aeon snorted again as he tried to stop himself from laughing. “I thought I killed those innocent people…I’ll be in so much trouble if I did. Grandma will surely-” She wrinkled her fingers and I shake my head at her.

“Rubin. Rubin!” I snapped my fingers at her which made her look back at me. “They did not die and they did not resurrect, okay?” I showed her the remote and she stares at it, a bit confused, “ This is a remote control. You use it to turn on the television. You do not use it to kill. The humans inside do not die if you turn it off. It just simply works like that without bringing harm. Do you understand?” She was still surprise at how it works that she barely nodded at me.

Absorbed, she settled next to me, bring her legs up and watched intently. Aeon who is very red on the face, looks at her once before he puts two thumbs up. “You did great selecting your first girlfriend,” He whispered. I rolled my eyes at him, trying so hard not to chuck the remote control at him, before remembering the reason why I came here. Looking at him in the eye, I pointed up at his office and he nods. Careful as to not make her conscious, I stand from my seat and motion for Aeon to do that as well. Aeon followed suit and we both went up the stairs.

The halls were dimly lit. Aeon has got no maids but never fails to keep this big house at its best. He must have scrubbed every steps clean during his free time. The thought alone amazes me; I wonder if he does that during the long hours of winter or does he keep to himself, dozing the long nights off?

I guess, I have to ask him that in another time.

I watched as Aeon waves his hand and the door to my right abruptly opens. I shake my head at him, smirking. He just loves to show off his powers specially when we are alone. The room was dimly lit like the halls. The dull afternoon light stubbornly peeks from the dark curtains, bleeding inside the darken room that appears to fear the light that has streamed inside. I looked back to see Aeon sticking his head out by the door before closing it, nice and shut. He walks inside the room, his platinum blond hair catching light making it appear like it’s glowing. He pauses.

Quite curious of why he stopped, I notice him running his hands on his face, “Does it really looks odd?”

“What?” I turn around and see him stroking his face by the mirror, turning side by side.

“My marks,” Aeon rolls his eyes before he took a silver flask inside his coat and take a long draw from it, waving his hand on his face. The marks dissolves as though they were being absorbed by his skin, it was quite fascinating even when I am used to seeing him using this stuff. Sighing, I took interest of the books near his table, ignoring him. “There, I’ve sorted it out. I just don’t bother with it since no one has to remind me of its existence except that certain foul creature. Anyway, ” Aeon checks his face once again on the mirror before he settled on the sofa, waving his hand for me to take the other one that is facing him. I rolled my eyes, and he chuckled.

“So tell me, why did you send for me?” I asked, pertaining to his worried message. “Quit acting like a fool, Caelum.” He waves his hand at the fireplace and produce a fire that made the room look less gloomy, sending out a bit of warmth. I rolled my eyes as I watch the fingers of the fire licks the brick and the woods, seeming as though it has been burning for a couple of hours already.

I settled comfortably on the chair and commented, “Why bother lighting it? You are not affected by the cold, Aeon.”

“I know. I did it for you, mon ami.”

“Pfft,” he gave me a laugh that wiped the glare I am giving him as I smiled. “Okay,” He cleared his throat and directed his weird purple iris at me, glowing pink as the fire reflected. “I sensed him, Caelum and it is not a laughing matter which is why I summoned you, quickly.”

“Must the mundane messages be of essential?”

“I have to. It’s my only means. Plus, if I appeared right there and then, in front of all those humans, they’ll go loco.” He shakes his head, making his platinum blond hair, bounce. “This crazy inventions restrict me more than ever, you shouldn’t have funded them in the first place.” Aeon puts his phone down on the table and gave it a remorseful look.

“I’m glad I did, though. If I haven’t, how many golds would I have wasted buying every last bit I have lost for this year, can you imagine that?” I leaned back before focusing at him, “Anyways, back to the matter at hand. Do you reckon that he is really after me even a thousand years had passed? I couldn’t find Gaea no matter how much I scoured the deepest of the earth. I’ve been to Peru and the lot of those stupid gnomes are telling me they haven’t gone that deep on earth–doesn’t even know what I am talking about and telling me stuff like I’ve gone psycho. You must see them sometime, your sarcasm will seem like a joke to them.” I said, watching Aeon as he shakes his head.

“Aye. You know it’s weird to think that though, cause Gaea’s everywhere. Those gnomes you ask must have been the ones who’ve gone psycho.” He scratches the back of his neck before standing up. Aeon walks towards the table situated at the back of the room, taking a couple of scroll and books on top of it. I couldn’t help but be curious as he set them down in front of me and say, “These are, by far, the best resource I’ve got Caelum. Hard to come by, it is.”

I took the scroll from him and read, frowning, “ ‘The council have decided to have Hades hunt down the last of the cupid who have failed their missions and fell for humans. Aphrodite was furious that she rejected the lot, offering them the life imprisonment on earth,’ I can’t believe that you find this reliable. It got all the information wrong! ”

“But as I said, you are here because of a punishment. Also, Hades is following you because of what Aphrodite said. What part of it was wrong? Do tell.”

“It wasn’t Aphrodite who gave me the chance to live again, you know. It wasn’t her. It's someone I cannot rememberm” I rolled my eyes at him, pulling the scroll from him. “Though, it is true that Hades is after me, yes.”

“Do you think, Hades has something to do with that cupid downstairs?”

“How did you know that–?” Aeon motioned the air around us making me sigh. “You and your air acting as ear. You always caught wind of everything, aren’t you?” I narrowed my eyes and sigh.

“The curious cuckoo cupid downstairs–it’s most uncommon for creatures to draw so near and bother you, don’t you think…” Aeon’s voice trailed off as he tap his hand on his chin, looking like he was deep in thought.

“What do you mean? What has this got to do with that stupid cupid?” I pushed the scroll back and take the book that has gold linings from his desk. Whoa! The author exerted much efforon making this book, but haven’t thought much about giving it a proper title.

“Everything has got to do with her, Caelum. Look, Gaea warned you about it, don’t you remember? Caelum, this is exactly what she means!” I look at him, not getting it, “When you perceive love, Hades will see you again! You are falling for the lass, mind you? You didn’t even realize it have you?”

“Falling? What kind of rubbish are you spouting about, you sod? I just showed her some kindness. You know,” I put the book down and focus my gaze on him, “burying your nose in this dusty old things would really catch up on you and make you a loony one day. Only then, will I come to your aid and whip you up with a memory glaze for we both know that I excel on that.” I winked at him, making his frown deepen.

“Caelum, don’t joke about this. Can’t you see that I am trying to help?” I stand up, trying to block out his crazy thoughts from entering my head. He is just being paranoid. “I saw you look at her, Caelum. Something has happened between you and her and I do not want you to suffer because of that.” He takes my arm and yanked me back, making me look at him. “I am doing this because I want you to live forever with me! I couldn’t afford to lose my one and only friend. You are like my brother and I think, this is for the best.” He tugged me back on the seat and stuck his hand inside his cloak, pulling a phone and putting it on my hand.

“What am I to do with this? I’ve got a phone, you know, lots if you don’t remember.”

“Of course, but this one is not for you. You give it to that lass once you return to Paris, give her some money and part ways,” His intense stare is making me a bit drowsy and unorganized. I shake my head, glaring at him for I know what he is trying to do with my brain. “It’s not good to continue with this Caelum. Be gone and let her be.”

“You’re crazy,” I put the phone inside my cloak and stand up. He takes the book and follows me as I made my way out, “Caelum, listen. If you only–”

I stop walking, turning around to meet his curious gaze. “The last time you tried to warn me didn’t turn up well, remember?”

“I–well, you know–” he wrung his hands together and bowed his head, “Did it not?” he let out a light chuckle making me huff, “Of course, it didn’t! You found out something interesting and you twitter it away to a human at a playground. I have to wipe off her memory and you know how I do not want to do that if unnecessary. I am quite sure it addled her mind.” My voice drop colder and he sigh.

“I know but I couldn’t help but tell that it is different this time–this is serious, okay? I am not kidding!” Aeon huffs before trusting the book on my hand, “Think about it Caelum. You have to get rid of the girl. I do not want you to risk it and find yourself in a sticky end. You are dear to me like a brother. I don’t want something as idiot as that cupid outside to snuff out the life that is rewarded to you.” His eyes bore unto mine and I gave him a smirk to reassure him. “We have to make sure, Caelum. We have to take precaution.” He puts a hand on my shoulder making me smile at how silly he is.

“Don’t you worry. I can pretty much handle myself out there.” I shrugged him off, my hand over the door knob as I turn it on my way out. I quickly put the book inside my cloak as we proceed down the dimly lit hallway.

We walked down the stairs, silently; both preoccupied of our own thoughts that the both of us was startled when Rubin jumped up and strangled my neck.

“CAELUM!”

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