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.

how many times he listened, the

Sylvia's delicate, careful voice echoing in his ears,

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

though she was only a few steps away, he could never quite catch up. Her laughter floated around the house-pure,

called out, "Who are

The girl appeared abruptly in front of him, walking slowly toward the porch. "Do you really dislike me that

you?" Rupert

dream, Rupert's fists clenched tight, the butt of his cigarette pressing painfully into his palm. But

girl paused beneath

after I died, can't you even treat Mom

do you hate

trembling with hurt and

a step forward just as she

love me? Why did you hurt

"No-!"

his hand felt seared, as if

little girl and the beautiful

"No!"

"Mr. Rupert? Mr. Rupert-!"

voice dragged him out

cold sweat. He glanced down-just a burn

glass of water into his hand.

took a sip, brow furrowing. "Find me a