"That''s good to hear," Damien finally exhaled, relief softening his features. "With you here, Ms. Shepherd''s in good hands."


    With that reassurance, Damien disappeared to take a shower.


    Calliope gathered the medications and made her way into Mavis''s hospital room. She started by giving Mavis a pill, then followed up with two quick injections.


    Uriah never left Mavis''s side, his gaze filled with worry and tenderness. The sight of her, surrounded by machines and monitors, with fresh needle marks dotting her hand, tore at him. His eyes reddened, but he kept silent, not wanting to interrupt Calliope''s work.


    When Calliope finished, she looked Mavis over and frowned.


    "How is she?" Uriah ventured, his voice low.


    "Her vitals are stable and improving. The infection is receding, her fever''s heading down..." Calliope paused, "But she''s still not waking up."


    Uriah''s anxiety spiked. "Shouldn''t she be conscious by now?"


    "In theory, yes. She should have woken up already, but she''spletely unresponsive." Calliope''s frown deepened. "Have you tried talking to her?"


    "I have. I haven''t stopped-anything to try to reach her. But she doesn''t react to me, not at all."


    "She''s far too quiet,” Calliope murmured, troubled. "Something about this doesn''t feel right."


    "So... even you can''t figure out what''s wrong?" Uriah''s uneasiness was growing


    with every answer. He''d believed that with Calliope here, Mavis would snap out of it -wake up, whole and safe. But now, hourster, she was still lost in unconsciousness, as unreachable as ever.


    "I can''t," Calliope admitted, shaking her head. "This is...plicated."


    “We''ll just have to keep her under observation for now. But if she isn''t awake within three days, it could mean trouble."


    Calliope pressed her fingers to her temple, feeling a headache bloom.


    Mavis''s life was no longer at immediate risk but if she didn''t regain consciousness, she might nevere back. Calliope didn''t say it afoud, but she could see realization settle heavy on Uriah''s face.


    His own expression hardened with resolve.


    "No matter what happens, I''ll look after her," he said quietly. "If she doesn''t wake up,


    I''ll be here every day-until she does."


    He spoke through clenched teeth, determination burning in his eyes. Whatever it took, he''d watch over her and keep her safe.


    Calliope nced at him, a flicker of


    skepticism passing through her mind. She wasn''t sure he could hold out that long, but she didn''t


    challenge him. Even if Mavis


    novel.


    remained unconscious Calliope would never abandon her she''d try


    every method she knew to bring her back.


    She arranged for someone to watch over Mavis and stepped out to finally get some rest. Exhaustion pressed in on her-she hadn''t had proper sleep in days, and she was barely staying upright.


    Outside, Damien was just emerging from his shower. He''d changed into clean clothes, shedding the grime and desperation from before. He looked refreshed, no longer beaten down and weary.


    "Damien, I''m going to rest for a bit," she told him. "If anythinges up, let me know immediately. And don''t


    try to look for Nigel on your


    Own you wont be able to fix


    anything, and it''ll only put


    in


    danger. Give it three days. I handle


    ck Spider myself."


    She gave him a pointed look. Thest thing she needed was Damien stumbling into more trouble.


    Nigel should be safe for the moment, but ck Spider was unpredictable—and dangerously unstable. From past experience, Calliope doubted he''d kill Nigel outright. For now, Mavis needed her attention. Once Mavis stabilized, she''d turn her focus to Nigel''s rescue.


    Calliope went to her room and copsed on the bed atst.


    Meanwhile, Damien dialed Ss''s number again, hoping for an answer.