Both Damien and Nigel watched Calliope, waiting for her to make the final call. Despite their attempts to persuade her, they both knew full well—the choice was hers and hers alone. If she decided to stay, they would stay by her side. If she was leaving, they''d leave too. Walking away on their own was simply not on the table; everything hinged on Calliope.


    "It''s exactly because his situation is soplicated that taking him to Capitalton just isn''t an option," Calliope sighed. "There are people there who could make his episodes even worse. He can''t go to Capitalton."


    "So you''re saying the root of his condition is in Capitalton?" Nigel asked thoughtfully. “If that''s true, wouldn''t it make more sense to confront it head-on rather than avoid it?"


    She nodded. "Normally, you''d be right. But ck Spider isn''t a normal case. That method just won''t work with him." She pressed her fingers to her temples, feeling a rising tension. Her way might not even work at all.


    ck Spider was a particrly thorny problem. She''d consulted top-notch psychiatrists—no one could offer a solution. At this point, his illness had progressed so far that his core personality was slipping away.


    "I don''t even know if I can help him,” she admitted quietly. “But I have to try. I promised him I''d give it one more shot. I need to keep that promise."


    She managed a weary smile for Nigel. "The good thing is, even if Jasperes to the surface, he doesn''t like me, sure, but he wouldn''t actually hurt me. You, though -he seems to have quite the fixation on you. So, Mr. Howell, you''re free. You should get out of here while you can."


    She turned to Damien. "If this scares you, go with Mr. Howell. Once everything''s dealt with, I''ll head back to Capitalton myself."


    “No way!” Damien shot back instantly. "Wherever you go, I go. My job is to protect you, and that''s exactly what I''m going to do! Even if this ce is dangerous, I''ll stay here and keep you safe. I won''t let any harme to you."


    Calliope nced at him, then sighed. "Jasper wouldn''t hurt me, so you don''t need to lose sleep over that. But I can''t say for sure he''d spare either of you."


    "He''s not in control of himself. He''s unstable," Damien replied gravely. "There''s no way to guarantee he won''t hurt you If you want to treat him, do it. But I''m not leaving your side. It''s always better to have another person-just in case."


    Calliope could tell there was no talking Damien out of this. With such resolve there was no hope of convincing him to go. She gave in with anod. "Alright, fine. You can stay but only because I won''t be here long anyway."


    She turned to Nigel, meaning to urge him to leave. But he got in first.


    "Then we''re all staying," he said matter-of-factly.


    "You know you could leave. There''s not much point in you sticking around," Calliope warned, shing a knowing half-grin. "Jasper''s got such a thing for you who knows what he might try And I''m not just talking about the bunny maid outfit again." Cóntent


    Nigel''s face darkened. He suppressed a shudder—that was, hands down, the worst humiliation of his life. Still, he refused to leave her alone.


    "With you here, I doubt he''d try anything," he said, looking straight at her. "And maybe I can help somehow."


    Calliope studied him a moment, then finally nodded. "Alright, then. We''ll all stay together."