Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chris shot up from his chair so fast it nearly toppled over.

"No way! You just got out of the hospital, and since you got back from Mountain City you haven't even stopped to catch your breath. Your body can't take this."

He waved Rupert off. "Go home, seriously. I swapped shifts with someone for tonight—I'll keep watch for you. Besides, don't you have your own people on this, lurking in the background?"

He gave Rupert's arm a nudge.

Rupert rubbed his temples, sighed, and without another word, turned and left the office.

Late that night.

Rupert sat alone in his study, hands resting on the worn leather armrests. A cigarette smoldered between his fingers, the rising smoke veiling his face in shifting shadows.

On the desk, his phone was playing a recording he'd gotten from Freya, looping over and over.

"...So you really wanted to marry Mr. Rupert in secret! And have a little family! So, would you rather have a boy or a girl?"

"A girl."

"A girl..."

"Gi..."

The first time Rupert heard that recording, it felt like someone stabbed him right in the chest.

times he

voice echoing in his ears, he closed

Yet suddenly he found himself standing in front of a house-strange, but

across the garden. He chased after her, but even though she was only a few steps away, he could never quite catch up. Her

out,

toward the porch. "Do

you?"

tight, the butt of his cigarette pressing painfully into his palm. But he wanted-needed to see her face, so he

the dream, the girl paused

died, can't you even treat Mom

do you hate us

trembling with

step forward just as

why don't you love me? Why did you hurt Mom? I hate you! I really

"No-!"

for her, but his hand felt seared, as if by

looked up, the little girl and the beautiful house were being swallowed

"No!"

"Mr. Rupert? Mr. Rupert-!"

him out of

He glanced down-just a burn from the cigarette, nothing

a glass of water into his hand. "Are you

"Find me a photo of Sylvia when she