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.

no matter how many times he listened, the pain didn't

delicate, careful voice echoing in his ears, he closed

off, because Rupert rarely dreamt. Yet suddenly he found himself standing

after her, but even though she was only a

out, "Who are

slowly toward the

are you?" Rupert

his cigarette pressing painfully into his palm. But he wanted-needed to see her face, so he refused to

the dream, the girl paused

after I died, can't you

hate us

voice sharpened, trembling with hurt

forward just as she spun

me? Why did you hurt Mom? I hate you!

"No-!"

her, but his hand felt seared,

little girl and the beautiful house

"No!"

"Mr. Rupert? Mr. Rupert-!"

voice dragged him out

cold sweat. He glanced down-just a burn from

into

a sip, brow furrowing. "Find me a photo of Sylvia when she was