"Yes," Calliope nodded. "We''ll keep Mavispany for a while. You go get some rest."


    "I''ll head home for a bit," Uriah said after some thought. "I need to change and take care of a few things for work."


    He had wanted to stay by Mavis''s side every minute, but he knew Ss had a point. He couldn''t lose himselfpletely-not when there was still so much to do. The person who hurt Mavis hadn''t been caught, and he had to be strong, for her sake, to give her the future she deserved.


    Uriah left soon after.


    Portia watched his retreating figure and gave a little sigh. "It''s not often you see him like this."


    "He must regret not being better to her," Calliope said as she settled into the chair beside Mavis''s bed.


    Portia drew up another chair and sat next to her so both could watch over Mavis.


    "Mavis,” Portia began, raising her voice in mock excitement, "I heard the Midnight bar hired some new male models, and every single one is drop-dead gorgeous. You have to wake up we need to go check them out together! It''s just not the same without you."


    Mavis, as always, showed no reaction.


    "Mavis, did you hear me?" Portia leaned in, eyes bright with hope, as if trying to will her friend awake. "If you can hear me, give us a sign, will you?"


    Calliope didn''t say anything, simply watched Mavis carefully, looking for even the slightest response. But Portia''s chatter met only silence, as though Mavis was far away in another world.


    "What are we supposed to do?" Portia muttered after a long stretch of one-sided conversation, her shoulders drooping in defeat.


    "Mavis, why are you ignoring me?" She pouted. "Don''t you love me anymore? If you keep this up, I''m really going to be upset!"


    Frustrated, she threatened dramatically, "If you won''t talk to us, I''m going to buy a mountain of junk food, and Callie and I will eat it all ourselves. None for you!"


    Mavis, unmoved, remained perfectly still.


    Portia turned to Calliope, a note of desperation in her voice. "What will wake her? Uriah''s been by her side for ages and even that didn''t work. Isn''t it enough-all of us here for her?"


    Calliope considered Mavis for a long moment, then slowly shook her


    iet


    she


    head think she can hear ant


    said quietly. She just doesn''t to wake up yet. But that''s not like Mavis. She''s not one to give up."


    "She''s probably just worn out. She needs to rest for a while. Once she''s ready, she''lle back to us."


    Calliope bent a little closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “We''re all waiting for you, Mavis."


    The two stayed with her until noon.


    When Uriah returned, freshly


    showered, clean-shaven, and


    changed into new


    lothes, he looked


    almost like himself again-though still visibly tired.


    Portia nced at him, looking like she wanted to say something but kept her thoughts to herself. As she and Calliope prepared to leave, Portia turned back.


    "Take good care of Mavis," she said firmly. "If anythinges up, let us know right away!"


    "I owe her,” Uriah said quietly. “You don''t need to tell me. I''ll take care of her."


    "You''d better,” Portia said with a huff, then left with Calliope.


    On the drive, Portia remembered, "Hey, all that stuff you picked up at the auction? I


    put everything in the vault at your ce, over at the Vi."


    "Thanks." Calliope nodded. "Are you busy? If you''re free, could you help me start packing it all up?"


    “Are you shipping it out?" Portia asked. “I''m not busy. I''ll help you pack.”