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Novel Catalog
Chapter 106
Nash clutched the vial containing the Longhorn bug as he sped toward the Zells’ villa. His other hand cradled his phone as he dialed Theo.
“I won’t be able to pick Hera up today,” he said when Theo answered. “Find someone reliable to protect her.”
Within minutes, Theo had enlisted Olivia and Xeno. Together they would collect Hera from work—Olivia to stay close and Xeno in the role of bodyguard.
Before Nash could pause, his phone rang again. It was Brian.
“Grandmaster… help me…” The young man’s terrified whisper cut off mid-sentence as the line went dead.
Nash slammed on the brakes, tires squealing against the asphalt. A horn blared behind him as he skid to a halt. Out of the patrol car that pulled up stepped Chief Jupiter Holt and Angelica.
“Mr. Calcraft, is everything all right?” Jupiter asked, concern creasing his brow.
“My friend Brian called for help, then the call ended suddenly,” Nash explained, voice tight.
Jupiter grabbed his radio. “We’ll send a fully equipped van. Give me Brian’s number.”
Moments later, their technician tracked Brian’s last signal. Nash’s knuckles whitened on the steering wheel.
“Mr. Calcraft?” Angelica leaned forward. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
He drew a breath. “Philix’s blood pressure points have been sealed with Divine Needles. He can only remain in this suspended state for two hours before his heart and brain begin to fail.”
He glanced at the vial in his hand. “The Longhorn bug can restore a dying heartbeat, but the deossification parasite in Philix’s veins will destroy it. I’ve set a second plan in motion—a Heavenly Spirit Seal to preserve his soul. Brian is gathering an oil lamp for the ritual.”
Jupiter nodded grimly. “We’ll secure the area. Block off the Fourth Industrial Zone.”
Angelica frowned at her tablet. “Chief, our teams were just reassigned to the Southern Suburb this morning.”
Jupiter spoke into his radio. “Proceed to the Northern Suburb first. We need every available unit.” He glanced at Nash. “Go—make every second count.”
As their cars roared away, Nash stared at his stopwatch. With time slipping through his fingers and the fate of his friend hanging in the balance, he slammed his foot on the accelerator and raced on, determined to reclaim life from the jaws of death.