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ambro-fever as so many others of our kind
have.”
    With a gentle tug she pulled her hands free
and turned toward the open window Psyche had just vacated “As
you’re both well aware, for some, it’s not such a bad thing. Like
you for instance Eros, in your case when you fell, being the
embodiment of love, you simply became more...exuberant. And when
you get a little carried away, you have Psyche to help curb that
exuberance and until now, Anteros to fix any unfortunate
misfires.”
    Seeing Eros wince was like an arrow to her
own heart. He tipped his head toward his mate and placed a gentle
kiss on her brow and Psyche tightened her embrace.
    “As you’re also aware, love cannot exist if
it isn’t returned. It becomes twisted causing pain and heartache
instead. So unlike you Eros, who projects love, Anteros purpose for
being is quite the opposite, to avenge unrequited love, absorbing
the pain of mortal and immortal heartbreak alike into his very
being. His existence is a mirror image in all ways to yours. Hence,
his fall would have much darker results.”
    Aphrodite raised diamond bright tear-filled
eyes to them. “Anteros’s fate would rival his father’s, and we all
know what happened to Ares when he succumbed unchecked to that for
which he was created.”
    Psyche shuddered and Eros arm snaked out to
pull her closer into his side. She looked up at him and a haunting
specter darkened his crystalline sapphire eyes. “World War I.”
    “Among other things, yes, and that time he
got out and we lost track of him for a day?”
    This time Psyche answered in a near whisper
and Eros suppressed a shudder. “World War II.”
    “Exactly.”
    Eros slowly lifted his head and looked at
what appeared to be a big screen TV, one currently showing a real
time account of Anteros on earth and sighed, “So to save him we
have to go against everything he stands for.” His eyes were drawn
to his rune embossed platinum bow and its quiver of diamond tipped
silver arrows, hanging proudly above the screen.
    “I’m afraid so and I’m very sorry to have to
ask it of you Eros, but if we’re to save your brother, not to
mention humanity, from what he’ll become if he falls, we must try
to force his hand. I’ve no doubt in time he’d succumb to his need
for the mortal woman and eventually he would win her, but we don’t
have the luxury of time. You must shoot her.”
    Eros closed his eyes and nodded once, his
face having turned to granite.
    “Once shot her heart will belong to him.
She’ll pursue him wearing him down far more quickly. With no way to
counter the effects he’ll have to give in or break her heart.”
    Eros pulled down his weapon and swung it over
his shoulder. Psyche gave his arm a squeeze for encouragement and
reached up to kiss the frown from his forehead.

    Aphrodite watched them for a moment then blew
a kiss at the screen. Thank the seven heavens Hades told her about
Anteros’s plans. Otherwise she might not have been able to
intervene in time. An iridescent tear rolled down her pristine
cheek, as she turned to mist drifting silently from the room and
whispered, “Thank you for the warning Brother-mine.”

Chapter 7

    Dust from the parking lot at the B & B
swirled in the air as Anteros got out of the truck and he had to
fight off a sneeze. After Jack’s scene and Callie having to leave,
Cotton offered to drop Anteros wherever he was staying. As it
turned out, Jessica had some community service to do at the
campground so he agreed to lend her his truck if she played taxi
driver.
    Apparently Cotton had no idea how reckless
her driving was. If Anteros weren’t immortal the last few miles of
twisting turning mountain roads and near misses on bends with sharp
drop offs might have been enough to turn his hair grey.
    He leaned in the passenger window and held
his clenched fist out to her. “Thank you Jessica. I appreciate the
lift.”
    The look on her face would’ve been comical if
it wasn’t so filled with shock.