"Calliope, isn''t ck Spider supposed to be seriously dangerous? If we go there, is it safe?” Damien asked, anxiety clear in his voice. "Or maybe you could just tell me what to do, and I''ll go get him myself?"


    Truth be told, he''d wanted to go alone from the start. But he knew showing up without backup was suicide. So when Calliope offered her help, he was relieved, though still uncertain about what she could actually do. Could she really pull Nigel out of there? And what if she got into trouble herself? The thought left Damien uneasy. Maybe it made more sense for Calliope to just tell him her n and let him handle the rescue.


    "There''s always some risk," Calliope replied, ncing over at him. "Are you scared?"


    “How risky it is depends on just how far gone ck Spider is. If my guess is right, he hasn''t snappedpletely yet—still acting more or less rational."


    She almost smiled. “He might even be... oddly charming right now."


    "Charming?" Damien frowned, skeptical. ck Spider might''ve been striking, but charming? That seemed impossible for someone like him.


    "Yes," Calliope replied, offering nothing more. "Gather your things. You''reing with me."


    "Okay.” Damien didn''t hesitate and hurried off to pack.


    Not long after, he returned, bag in hand. Calliope was already prepped and waiting. She gave him a quick look, then nodded toward the car. Without further discussion, they got in and set out.


    It was just the two of them. Damien had assumed she''d bring extra muscle, but she hadn''t asked anyone else along.


    "Shouldn''t we bring some guys with us?" Damien ventured.


    "ck Spider has plenty of men on his side. Do you really think our team could take them on-in their ownL backyard? Calliope said evenly "No! The two of us will be fine. The n is to settle this with words, not force."


    Damien considered that. "You know, that does make sense," he said slowly, a look of trust settling on his face.


    Calliope took the wheel, retracing


    their previous route before turning onto a narrow side road. Thene was rough barely wide enough for single car. But Calliope drove confidently, picking up speed instead of slowing down.


    Damien grabbed the handle above his window, knuckles white with nerves.


    "Careful, Calliope! There''s a river up ahead!" he called out.


    "I know," Calliope replied calmly. "Don''t worry, I won''t dump you in the river. ck


    Spider''s base is this way. Once we get past here, it''s smooth driving."


    He eyed her, curiosity finally getting the better of him. “How do you know ck Spider, anyway?"


    Damien had heard of him-everyone had-but ck Spider was more rumor than reality, a shadowy figure


    Qaliope be so familiar with


    few had actually met ne


    someone like that? Ordinary people would never have dealings in a ce like this, but his boss acted as if she''d seen it all before.


    "We go way back," Calliope replied. "In fact..... You could say he was once a patient of mine."


    "You saved his life?" Damien asked, relief coloring his tone. If Calliope had done ck Spider a favor that big, things might actually work out. He''d owe her.


    "The opposite, actually,” Calliope said quietly. “He''s one of the few I couldn''t help. One of my rare failures."


    "What?" Damien nched, color draining from his face.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!