Nigel Howell and Damien had been escorted away, leaving Calliope alone at the dining table across from Simon.


    A long wooden table stretched between them, covered with a generous spread of food. Simon nced up at her, noting her untouched te. “Nothing looks good? Aren''t you hungry?"


    He spoke between mouthfuls, eating with the vigor of someone who hadn''t had a decent meal in days. Each bite seemed to delight him, but Calliope barely registered the aroma of the food. Her mind was spinning, weighed down by the chaotic state of ck Spider.


    This new personality-Simon-was clearly a far bigger problem than she''d anticipated. With him here, all her earlier ns were useless; now everything was tangled and unpredictable.


    "Not your taste?" Simon asked after swallowing another bite.


    "How long have you been...present?" Calliope fixed her gaze on him, searching for clues.


    Simon''s lips curled with amusement. "Oh, long time. You just never saw me." His eyes glittered, thoroughly entertained. "Surprised? I''ve watched you plenty, even if you''ve never met me."


    A shiver ran through her. "Then why haven''t you shown yourself before?"


    He gave a careless shrug. "Didn''t feel like it. But things have gotten interesting. Now


    I want it all. This world, everything in it-it should all be mine."


    "So, your n is to kill me? You couldn''t kill me if you tried, and I''m certainly not giving you a chance." His tone was almost yful. “But I''m fascinated by you, Calliope. You''re strong, stubborn a lot of fun, actually."


    "Fun?" she echoed, her voice t.


    He grinned. "Of course! I thrive on excitement. That''s what sets me apart from the others—they y it so safe, so boring. But stick around—something thrilling''s about to happen."


    A sly smile yed on his lips. "Those tigers out back? They haven''t eaten in days. They''re starving."


    Calliope narrowed her eyes. "This isn''t the first time you''ve stepped in, is it?"


    He broke into a broad, almost


    childlike grin. "What, you think this is new? I drop by whenever I''m bored. The others have no idea, They don''t even know exist let alone b how to control me. All I have to do is nudge them to sleep, and they''re out cold. Oblivious. I really am a genius."


    He kept eating, entirely pleased with himself, as if he expected apuse. Calliope pressed her hands together, fighting a wave of frustration. This was getting worse by the minute—she wasn''t sure anyone could handle someone this unpredictable. She tried to probe for information. "Why are you here? Where did youe from?"


    A sly, satisfied smirk curled on Simon''s lips. "That''s my secret. If you figured it out, you''d try to get rid of me. And I''d rather stay alive. Honestly, you ought to be aiming for the others. They''re the idiots, not me."


    Calliope swallowed a sigh. This was going to be even harder than she feared.


    Simon finished eating, pushing his te aside with a contented sigh.


    Calliope forced herself to nibble at a few things. She would need her energy-this was going to be a contest of strength and wits. His threat about feeding Damien and Nigel to the tigers was no idle boast; the look in his eye said he would do it without a shred of remorse.


    The more serious he became, the greater the danger.


    She started reviewing her options, desperate to find the quickest way to gain the upper hand. Maybe if she''d listened to ck,


    Spider Jasper-earlier


    and fe


    Simon up, things would be easier


    now. But regret wouldn''t help. She


    needed a new n, and fast.


    The only thing she was sure of: she couldn''t let anything happen to Nigel or Damien. Jasper had loyal men, and if she tried force, there was no guarantee of sess.


    So she tried the simplest route first.


    "Let them go,” Calliope said, voice calm but firm. "Please. Just let them go."