Cupid & The Cursed Cup (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 3

Waverly's eyes remained on the fire. In the last twenty four hours she had seen half a body, been chased, nearly drowned, checked for marks, introduced to demigods. She now was watching two hearts burn. Nicole stretched out her arms towards the ceiling. "What's so important about your notes?"

Waverly continued to stare at the range. "A story I'm working on."

"Humour me."

Waverly was reluctant to explain. There was no reason to tell this N person, this demigod, why she was following a story. And yet, having seen all she had seen, she was at a loss to understand the events in which she had become entangled. "Okay. One missing person, then half a person dangling from the ceiling of his office."

"Rather unfortunate. Continue. I'm intrigued."

"I cover stories a lot less bizarre. Traffic accidents, graffiti on walls, neighbours fighting over trees. We're talking low-key drama. Then, two creepy men decide to chase me along the canal."

"Mossbacks."

"What backs? Okay, humour me, what are moosebacks?

A high-pitched whistling had Waverly out of her chair again. None of this was normal. Waverly watched as the old woman made a pot of tea, wondering whether she had stepped back in time, fifty or so years. The kitchen contained nothing modern. No microwave, no toaster, not even an electric kettle. Placing a cup and saucer in front of Waverly, Nan retrieved another set from the shelf, pouring the brew. She proceeded to add four spoons of sugar and a healthy splash of milk to her own, stirring, tipping some into the saucer, lifting it to her lips, sucking the pale brown liquid into her mouth.

Nan's eyes followed Waverly as she went to the sink to wash the blood from her own hand. "Mossbacks, what you might call mercenaries," Nan explained. "Those who carry out the bidding of another. A soldier if you like. One who took the dirty penny once."

"Why don't you simply call them soldiers? Waverly asked, returning to her chair, all traces of blood removed.

Nicole danced her empty glass across the table. "Not just any soldier," Nicole added. "Ceased to be."

"So they're no longer soldiers. Like ex-soldiers."

"Ex-soldiers," Nicole repeated, a smirk appearing. "As in, exceedingly dead."

Waverly couldn't tell if N was teasing. "Dead, as in you killed them, right? Or, dead as in dead, dead. Wait, I saw their hearts. They looked perfectly alive, well dead after what you did. Those hearts looked very alive for dead men. I'm so confused."

"Brought back to life. Been in the ground so long moss starts growing. Moss. Backs," Nicole said, exceptionally slowly, earning a glare from Waverly.

"Tell me I'm not having this conversation. Tell me I'm dreaming. This is a dream right. I'm still in the water, that's it, or in bed..."

Speaking of which," Nan interrupted, "I wasn't expecting company. I've only one room ready, if you don't mind sharing."

"Fine by me," Nicole replied, another smirk appearing on her face.

Waverly was in no mood to sleep alongside a cocky demigod, especially one with blood-stained hands. "I really don't mind sleeping on a couch, if you have one."

"Nonsense," Nan insisted, "the bed is more comfy. Plus, you'll have N to protect you."

"From something really bad," Nicole teased, "with fangs and sharp claws," aping long teeth with her fingers.

"Another mossback?" Waverly asked, worried eyes telling Nicole she needed to dial it back.

"Different smell. Fresher. Probably another mortal. Mossbacks reek of damp earth."