Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Eloise noticed that Sylvia looked pale and tired, so she offered a few comforting words before telling her to head to her room and get some rest.

Neither of them mentioned what had happened earlier that day. They both knew better than to poke at fresh wounds.

But when Sylvia lay down, sleep was the last thing on her mind.

Mark had said she'd been sold.

But who would do that to her?

Bridget had shown up acting like she knew something, but she was always hanging around Rupert. And then there were those jumbled flashes of memory in Sylvia's head-where did those come from? She racked her brain, but in both of her lives, she didn't recall anything like that.

The more she thought about it, the more tangled everything became. Eventually, all that thinking just left her feeling hungry.

She got up, grabbed the menu sitting by the phone, and flipped it open-every item had a price tag in the quadruple digits. Sure, Edwin had given her a credit card, but she needed to think about her own future.

After a moment's hesitation, she got dressed.

She remembered reading online that Mountain City's night markets were famous for their street food. A quick search pulled up pages of local food guides.

Ten minutes later, Sylvia was in a taxi, headed to the nearest night market.

The smell of food was enough to lift her spirits a little. She pulled out her phone and scrolled through social media for the must-try stalls.

dogs are to the left, the funnel cakes... wait, is that east

spin around a couple times to figure out which way you're actually

by pretending to buy snacks whenever she glanced their way, but their stiff, alert expressions gave them away. They looked nothing like the relaxed crowds all around her—these

didn't panic or bolt. Instead, she kept up the act, pretending to browse different stalls,

the sea of people, she hunched down and started to

the thickest part of the crowd,

was boxed in. She glanced around, searching for an exit-but then, out of nowhere, a hand reached through the crowd and yanked her sideways. Before she could react,

herself gripping

closed around hers, steadying her aim. His cheek brushed against hers, warm and rough, and he whispered in her ear, his voice low and edged with the scent

balloon popped in front of her that she realized the man

It was Rupert.

each one bursting a balloon.

got skills! Ten out of ten-pick any

my boyfriend,"

hear her. "Had a fight? No worries, give her a stuffed animal,

at Rupert. "He's my

owner paused, then chuckled. "Well, aren't you lucky? Uncles always

her lips together, embarrassed, as Rupert chimed in, deadpan. "Yeah. I spoil

toys. "Take your pick! Our most popular one is the capybara. You girlfriend's upset-you'll need

Rupert frowned. "A capy-what?"

burst out

three of them were talking at