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

in his ears,

dozed off, because Rupert rarely dreamt. Yet suddenly he found himself standing in front of a

little girl darted across the garden. He chased after her, but even though she was only a few

called out, "Who are

him, walking slowly toward the porch. "Do you really

you?" Rupert

pressing painfully into his palm. But

dream, the girl

after I died, can't you even treat Mom

do you hate

trembling with hurt

just as she spun

did you hurt Mom? I hate you! I

"No-!"

her, but his hand felt seared, as

up, the little girl and the

"No!"

"Mr. Rupert? Mr. Rupert-!"

dragged him out of

glanced down-just a burn from the cigarette, nothing

a glass of water into his hand.

a sip, brow furrowing. "Find me a photo of