My Eros (Modern Cupid and Psyche Dirty)

And now of course the reason is absolutely clear.

"Can you just give me the damn book? Please?"

The librarian laughs, and it's this sound that continues to grate on my nerves even though I'm already at my own desk and poring over said damn books about secret societies. I can feel her totally judging me, and it's all I can do not to yell 'it's not true'. The only reason I asked for a book on secret societies is because I want to distract myself from thinking about killers on the loose, dead and missing former schoolmates, my parents' lives in danger—-

Ah, shit.

I stare down at the pages, but this time even my own eyesight refuses to cooperate, and all of it is just a blur. All I can see right now is the photo of Myrrha's corpse, which - as impossible as this was to imagine - is even more grossly mutilated than the ones found in the music room.

No one, not even a bullying bitch like Myrrha, deserved to die like that, and just like that night, all I can think of is...why?

Why is he doing these things?

Why, why, why?

The word echoes in my mind as I take my phone out and tap on the Files app. The professor gave me soft copies of every report he's obtained regarding the killer, but I've never had a chance to go over them.

Until now.

A private detective hired by the professor (on Eros' order?) had done a thorough background check on both Myrrha and Cen, and both reports reveal a couple of things I wish I had known earlier.

Myrrha, for instance, was only fifteen when her parents sold her to become a rich but married satyr's mistress. Cen, on the other hand, is one-third divine but whose failure to show any special abilities led to the removal of her name in her grandfather's will.

While I'm not so much of a softie that I think these things would justify any evil both girls have done, I just think something might've or could've changed. I'm not sure how or what, but...

My phone suddenly vibrates against the desk, and the low, buzzing sound startles me out of my thoughts. It's a text message from Rosethorne's official number, saying that I have a visitor waiting for me at the school gates.

I text back to ask who it is, a part of me already assuming there's been some mistake.

But there's not.

I can feel my blood turning cold as I type my reply, and I have to force myself to smile as I say goodbye to Ginny.

A cold blast of air slaps my face as soon as I step out of the library, but otherwise the night is silent. Too silent, actually, that I can't help looking around in search of some sign of life.

But there's none.

It's only half-past eight, a time when students and faculty are usually walking back home after having dinner at Lavender Hall. But today, the roads are empty no matter where I look, and even the trees that normally sway in the arms of evening breezes are completely still. I strain my ears for the sound of owls and wolves - for anything that goes bump in the night. But even they have been silenced, and it's starting to make me wonder if all of these have something to do with the emergency meeting that had four ancient gods seriously pissed.

This is probably me being half-paranoid and half-divine-challenged again, but can animals also be a part of secret societies, and that's why Rosethorne feels like a ghost town again?

The crunch of gravel under rubber tires draw my attention away, and a Tesla bearing the school's logo soon slows to a stop in front of me. The driver steps out to open my door, and I do my best to thank him without looking like I've been coerced into accepting his assistance.

Eros has apparently left word since the day I was attacked, and well...what can I say? Ridiculously protective, my god is, and damn, damn, damn...why am I talking like Yoda again?

The ride to the school's outermost gates only takes minutes, and when I'm out of the car I see a full dozen of school security standing guard. It's overkill at its worst, especially since their one target is a frail-looking girl who has her back to us. Her hair is completely disheveled, her clothes in tatters, and when she turns around at security's request, it's to reveal one swollen eye, a cut lip, and a body that's bruised all over.

She looks like she's escaped from Hell, and her eyes start to water the moment she sees me.

"H-Halyna?"

"Cen..."

She takes a step forward, and I can't help but draw my breath.

"P-Please."

She takes another step, and I can't help thinking that she's only one step away from crossing property lines...and then we'll find out if Rosethorne considers her a friend or an enemy.