He didn''t fight back-just smiled, cold and amused. "Really? Is this your idea of fun? You think some childish trick like this is going to put me under, like it did with those fools before me? And then, what, you get to summon someone else?"


    He scoffed. "Dream on. That won''t work on me."


    Simon lounged back, letting her do as she pleased, not the slightest bit concerned. He actually seemed entertained, as if he were just waiting to see how things would y out. Calliope applied pressure to the nerve clusters with deliberate force; by all ounts, the vasovagal response should have dropped him instantly. But just as he said nothing. No change at all.


    She stared at him in disbelief. How could this be happening?


    Calliope''s brow furrowed; she pushed harder, trying again.


    Simon''s lips twisted in a little frown. His voice was low and mocking. "What is this? Are you trying to drive that pin straight through my hand?"


    Useless. Completely, utterly useless-no matter how much he "cooperated."


    She bit back frustration. "The others... it worked on them. Why not you?"


    He smirked, dark eyes leveled on her. “Because I''m not like those idiots. I''m not one of them. Though," his tone shifted, almost teasing, "you''re kind of cute. In fact, I rather like you."


    And without warning, his hand shot out, gripping her chin. "Doesn''t matter whether you agree or not. You''re mine now get used to it. I''ve made up my mind."


    Calliope was at a loss, silent and exasperated. This new persona of the ck Spider was proving more troublesome—and disturbing—than anything that hade before.


    "She didn''t agree to this!" snapped Nigel, his face thunderous as he confronted Simon. “You''re disgusting. Can''t you see she wants nothing to do with you?"


    Simon''s eyes flicked toward Nigel. He gave a short, cuttingugh. "Worried about someone else, when you''re moments away from death? Maybe worry about yourself for once."


    Calliope eyed Simon warily. "What exactly do you n to do?" Unlike Jasper whose cruelty at least had a boundary-Simon didn''t seem to have any lines he wouldn''t gross. She couldn''t read him at all.


    He shed her a wicked grin. "Feed him to the tigers." Simon turned, beaming at Nigel, then looked back at Calliope. "Tell me, wouldn''t you like to see that? We could watch it can


    together see how fast a tiger can devour a man."


    Calliope''s stomach turned. "That... doesn''t sound like something I want to see."


    "Why not? I think it sounds exhrating." Simon''s eyes danced with grisly enthusiasm. “Just imagine it—the crack of bones, all that blood... Gets the appetite going, doesn''t it?"


    He leaned closer, conspiratorial. “It''ll be just like watching a film. We snack, we watch. Not just Nigel, either-all his friends too."


    He gestured toward the rest. "I keep eight tigers on the grounds. Do you think they''ll find your friends to be sufficiently filling snacks?"


    Simon looked positively delighted at the prospect, as if tossing people to wild animals was his favorite parlor game.


    Calliope said nothing her skin crawled. He wasn''t just a problem; he was something far worse.


    Nigel and Damien exchanged grim nces, dread etched in their faces. Time was slipping away, and it was clear: Simon was more than willing to go through with his threats. Should they make a move now, O wait for another opportunity? In any case, the window was closing fast.


    Simon snapped his fingers at his men. "Take them away. Give them a hearty meal,


    clean them up. I want them plump and fresh for the tigers."


    He turned back to Calliope, offering his arm with mock courtesy. "Come with me. We''ll grab a bite too."


    Calliope didn''t fight him. As she was led away, she caught Nigel and Damien''s eyes, sending them a silent promise: Stay strong. I''ll find a way out of this don''t lose hope.


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


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!