Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 347

As Chris liked to put it, people her age usually had plenty of energy-eight or nine out of ten, easy.

But Sylvia? She was running on half that, if she was lucky.

And she'd even been warned to ration what little she had left.

Maybe that was just the price of getting a second chance at life.

Sylvia snapped back to reality, trying to act cool and carry on.

But the man beside her gave a little wave of his hand. "Go check out the front."

Mr. Lennon, ever the eager host, jumped in, "Good eye, Mr. Rupert. All the rare gems are up there. This way, please."

Rupert nodded and walked past Sylvia, barely glancing her way.

Suddenly, Sylvia felt a rush of warmth in her palm. She froze, startled.

Once everyone else had moved ahead, she opened her hand.

A palm-sized hand warmer, soft and pink, sat in her palm.

How on earth did Rupert have something like this?

"Sylvia!" Mr. Lennon called from up ahead.

"Coming!"

warmer, hurrying to catch

gallery was dim, lit only by spotlights over the display cases. Around them, the dark made it

stood near the edge, ready to chime in and clap

her, and suddenly a clean, cool scent swept in. Someone's breath was warm against

to move, but a hand closed

freezing?" a low voice murmured, meant for her ears alone. Sylvia stiffened, trying to pull away,

She hissed quietly, "Uncle Rupert, are you crazy? There

rubbing her hand as if he hadn't heard a

fact, she was burning up with nerves, prickling with

everyone to the next case, Sylvia's

thinking, she lifted her foot

teeth, she spat, "Uncle

chuckled, his voice teasing and dangerous. "Got your strength back. Guess you're

burned, grateful for the shadows that

turned away, Rupert finally let her go-and slipped another hand warmer into her palm. His eyes flicked to her ear, the ghost of a smile on his lips

the exhibit hall when Bridget's shriek pierced the

you think

to me!" chuckled a big man with doughy

face was thunderous as

show wrapped

designers,

she slipped off to the restroom. When she came out, she saw the seamstress who'd