This wasn''t the kind of thing an ordinary person would ever face in their lifetime.


    Without warning, Calliope mmed on the brakes. She grabbed the car''s PA system and spoke rapidly in the Stormgardiannguage. Damien couldn''t understand a word, but it was obvious-she was negotiating with ck Spider''s men.


    After a short exchange, the men outside stared back at them, suspicious and tense. Calliope reached for the car door, but Damien caught her by the arm.


    "Calliope, what are you doing? Don''t get out. The minute you do, they''ll fill you with holes."


    "They won''t," she replied, cool as ever. "I''ve already exined everything." Without giving him a chance to argue, she swung the door open and stepped out.


    Immediately, a dozen gun barrels fixed on her.


    Damien hesitated, then got out too, instinctively moving in front of her as a shield. He half-expected a gunshot, but nothing happened. The men just stood there. "They''re... not shooting?" Damien asked, surprised.


    "I told them I''m here to see ck Spider, and that I know him," Calliope said softly. "They''re more afraid of upsetting him than me, so they''re following orders."


    "Right. Since when do you speak Stormgardian?” Damien whispered as he walked beside her, his eyes scanning the grounds warily.


    "I picked up a dozennguages over the years, give or take." Her tone was almost indifferent.


    Damien was left speechless. He''d had no idea Calliope was this impressive.


    The Jewell family, who''d always written her off as a lost cause, must have been utterly blind.


    ck Spider''s men led the two of them deeper into the estate. It was a sprawling property-abyrinth of paths and gardens-and after winding through seemingly endless


    twists and turns, they final


    emerged into the backyard, the air sweet with the scent of flowers in full bloom.


    Damien''s gaze fell first on ck Spider himself: that same strikingly handsome man, his features so elegant they bordered on androgynous. Then Damien''s eyes darted around, searching for Nigel.


    He leaned over to Calliope and whispered, "Where do you think they''re keeping Nigel and the others?"


    "Isn''t he right there?" Calliope nodded ahead.


    "Where?" Damien frowned, face creased in confusion. He couldn''t see Nigel anywhere.


    "The one next to ck Spider with


    the permanent scowl," Calliope said,


    barely suppressing herughter. From the moment she stepped inside she''d struggled not to burst out faughing. She''d never imagined Nigel could look like this, and


    somehow, it suited him in the


    strangest way.


    "Nigel''s there?" Damien still didn''t get it until, after a long look, something finally


    clicked. "Oh my god, is that Mr. Howell? What the hell is he wearing?"


    He could barely process what he


    was seeing and had to stifle an urge tough out loud. This was too much. He''d imagined Nigel in peril-maybe even close to


    vel


    death-but instead, the mangust looked deeply indignant, maybe a ttle humiliated, but otherwise perfectly fine.


    "I know, right? I never saw thising either," Calliope said, shaking her head as


    she walked forward, half amused, half exasperated.