chapter970

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

Without warning, Calliope slammed on the brakes. She grabbed the car's PA system and spoke rapidly in the Stormgardian language. Damien couldn't understand a word, but it was obvious-she was negotiating with Black 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 explained 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 Black 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 dozen languages 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.

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

twists and turns, they final net

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

Damien's gaze fell first on Black 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 Black Spider with

the permanent scowl," Calliope said,

barely suppressing her laughter. 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 to laugh 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 this coming either," Calliope said, shaking her head as

she walked forward, half amused, half exasperated.