chapter980

"Let them go. I'll stay," Calliope said, locking eyes with Simon.

"I'm the one you're after. You can't possibly be that interested in them. To a tiger, isn't eating a person the same as eating a cow?"She shrugged. "If what you want is a spectacle, just throw in a bunch of live animals-something that could put up a fight. Animals can be just as entertaining."

He gave a low, amused chuckle. "That's where you're wrong. People are far more interesting." He glanced at the caged space, something wicked flickering in his eyes. "Watching a tiger rip apart chickens or ducks gets old fast-I've seen it way too many times. But I've never actually seen a tiger attack a person. Isn't the thrill in what you almost never see?"

He leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Besides, are you hoping I'll let them go so they can run off and fetch someone to come rescue you? Do you really think I'm that much of a fool? I don't make rookie mistakes. I decided they're tiger chow-the end. They're not people anymore. They're just meat."

A cold, delighted smirk stretched across his face. "Save your breath. You can't talk me out of it. If you push me any further, I'll toss you to the tigers or maybe the crocs. Take your pick. I keep a fine collection of predators."

Calliope fell silent, eyes searching his face.

She tried again. "Didn't you say you liked me?"

Simon arched an eyebrow. "And what, that means I have to do everything you say?"

She pressed, "If you like me, you should at least listen to me, right?"

He laughed, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Just because I like you doesn't make me your lapdog. Liking someone isn't some priceless gift. I can like you and just as easily decide I hate you. Doesn't mean I'd do anything for you. I'm not an idiot.

She realized then-she would never talk him into releasing them.

She drew a breath. "What would it take for you to let them go?"

Simon sipped his wine, considering her over the rim of his glass. "Nothing. When I make up my mind not even God could change it, let alone an ordinary mortal like you.' He smiled, pleasant enough but his eyes You're an

were com interesting woman, Calliope, but you don't get to call the shots here. If you want to save them, do it yourself. That is, if you can. But honestly-it's far more likely you'll get yourself killed in the process."

He grinned wide, but the darkness in his eyes was unmistakable; cruelty, plain and simple. He clearly reveled in this kind of perverse thrill.

Calliope clenched her hands in her lap. Persuasion was pointless. Force was her only option now-she'd have to wait for a chance to strike.

met

Simon was watching her, reading the tightening of her jaw. "Thinking of taking me on?" he teased. "Bet you think you could catch me guard?I'll warn you-try anything, and you'll be crocodile food before your friends even hit the tiger cage. In fact, watching the woman I like get tossed to the crocs, right as her little friends are served to the tigers." He trailed off with a delighted shiver. "That would make one hell of a show. Are you really going to turn down the chance to watch the spectacle?

She could only stare at him in disgust. He really was a first-class psychopath. Impossible to deal with.

"If you want to try your luck, by all means. But don't think I'm as easy as those fools you came with, Simon taunted. See if you can take me down. If you do, I'll vanish from your life. I promise."

Calliope met his gaze, took a deep breath, and quickly began planning.

That afternoon, Simon had Nigel and the others brought out to the very edge of the tiger enclosure. Calliope was seated beside him in the shade of a large sun umbrella, a clear unbroken view of the steel cage in front of them.