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,

over the display cases. Around them, the dark made it hard to see

ready to chime in

clean, cool scent

a

for her ears alone. Sylvia stiffened, trying to pull

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

time, rubbing her hand as

with nerves, prickling with fear that someone would

as Mr. Lennon started leading everyone

thinking, she lifted her foot and ground her heel

teeth, she spat, "Uncle

chuckled, his voice teasing and dangerous. "Got your

the shadows that hid her

slipped another hand warmer into her palm. His eyes flicked to her ear,

exhibit hall

do you

me!" chuckled a

as she retreated to

show wrapped

Sylvia met a few designers, chatting and smiling as she was

When she came out, she saw the seamstress who'd helped her earlier hurrying out the side door, panic written all