Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 353

But that was the thing about this one chunk of rock-jam it in tight, and it'd hold back the rest of the landslide.

The only catch? Now Sylvia was stuck inside, too.

Their only way out was blocked.

Even after making sure they were at least for the moment-safe, Sylvia didn't relax. Instead, she spun around and glared daggers at the man sprawled half- upright on the ground.

"Why didn't you move? You lied to me! You-"

Sylvia's hand shot up, ready to slap him, but froze midway.

That's when she finally noticed Rupert's leg, pinned and bloodied, a crimson pool spreading under him.

Her anger crumbled, tangled up with guilt and confusion.

Rupert's face was unreadable as he grabbed her chin and forced her to look away. "Didn't hit the bone. Just a nasty cut."

Sylvia yanked her face free and glared at him, eyes rimmed red. "Why are you always like this? You slap me, then hand me a cookie! Am I supposed to thank you? God, I hate you sometimes!"

Rupert's hand hovered in the stale air between them, then dropped. He said nothing.

The old mine was pitch dark; she couldn't see his expression, not really.

his

looked agonizing, and

the sleeve of her undershirt, and wiped

but with a wound that big, if they didn't get

could, Sylvia curled up at the far edge of

cave.

the darkness, Rupert's voice rumbled.

her lips together, refusing

brow furrowed as he tried to sit up; the effort

to steady him, snapping, "Uncle Rupert! Are you trying

here?" he shot back, dry as dust.

pulled her down beside him, his arm strong and unyielding as iron. She

it." He clamped a hand on her shoulder, his voice cool. "Would it kill you to stop arguing with me for

a sigh, he opened his coat and wrapped it around both of

blinked, startled, her body pressed

brief second, she thought she could hear

lose his cool? That was

only their uneven breathing

you get yourself caught?" Rupert

don't know," Sylvia

sharpest knife in the drawer, but you're

but met Rupert's eyes-dark as midnight, even in the