"What happened?" Calliope nced at Portia.


    "I gave her a little scare-told her she was up next," Portia said with a smug snort.


    "It rattled her good. Honestly, why do these people insist on picking fights with you? Idiots, the whole lot of them. Don''t they know how tough our Callie is?"


    Calliope couldn''t help butugh. "So that little problem is dealt with, for now at least."


    "Exactly," Portia agreed, nodding. "No one handles it like you do, Callie."


    Calliope''s lips quirked upward. "Lisette won''t forget this cruise anytime soon."


    "She''s only got herself to me," Portia said, her expression twisting in disdain. "Some people just have to see their reputation in tatters to feel satisfied. You''d think the Jewell family would realize by now she''s not worth their time... though with the way they are, Lisette will probably sweet-talk her way back into their good graces in no time."


    Calliope wholeheartedly agreed. The Jewells had been disappointed in Lisette


    before, but it neversted. All it took was a few words from her, and suddenly the whole family was wracked with guilt and convinced Lisette was their perfect little angel who could do no wrong.


    Calliope was still mulling it over when her phone rang, startling her from her thoughts. She nced at the screen-and her brows shot up in surprise. Portia caught sight of the caller ID as well, her expression mirroring Calliope''s shock.


    "Why is Uriah Stewart calling you?" Portia blurted. "Isn''t he out on a mission with Mavis? Wasn''t this supposed to be Mavis''s final assignment?"


    "I''ve got no idea," Calliope replied, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. She didn''t hesitate-she answered the call.


    Uriah''s voice came through the line immediately, urgent and ragged, on the edge of tears. The entire mood in the room changed. Portia and Calliope both sat up straighter, nerves tight, sharing a look of rm.


    "Uriah, try to calm down," Calliope said evenly. "Just tell me what''s going on. Slow down. I need details so I can help you."


    Her soothing tone seemed to bring him back from the brink. He gathered himself, barely.


    "Callie, listen-Mavis is in trouble!" His voice was hoarse, frantic. "I need you. I need you right now. You have to get here!"


    "Mavis needs your help. Can you get here, please? I can''t coordinate much from where I am. She''s in a bad way-barely hanging on. The doctors here say there''s nothing they can do. You''re our fast hope


    "Mavis is like a sister to you I know you''re the only one who can save her." he pleaded, his voice breaking. "Talk to Ss, have him get you here as soon as possible, okay?"


    It was all Uriah could do to keep his emotions in check, fighting back tears, desperately trying not to fall apart.


    "Where are you? Tell me exactly what''s happened-where is she hurt? Is it a gunshot wound?" Calliope''s hand trembled, so much she had to griper wrist to steady herself, her eyes growing sharp and steely with focus.


    Beside her, Portia was on the verge of breaking down. "What happened to Mavis? Uriah, are you out of your mind? How can you call yourself a mentor? Didn''t you swear nothing would happen to her? This was supposed to be herst mission! How could you let this happen? She promised once this was done, she''d retire, settle down, and finally get a chance at a normal life!"