Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

He ignored the blood pouring from his wound, gripping the steering wheel with

wild excitement, jerking it left and right, desperate to throw the man clinging to the roof off through sheer force.

After being jolted twice, Sylvia braced herself by clutching the seat. She took a deep breath, then sprang forward, looping her arm around Yves's neck from behind.

"You want to die so badly? Let me help you!"

"You crazy bitch! Let... let go!"

Yves's cheeks flushed red, but his lips were ghostly pale from blood loss in his leg. Agony flickered across his face, and his foot eased up on the gas without him realizing.

That was Rupert's chance. He managed to regain control, scrambling down from the car roof and maneuvering his own vehicle to block Yves's, forcing him to a

stop.

Seeing this, Yves was pushed over the edge. He violently shrugged Sylvia off.

She slammed into the seat and took several seconds to recover.

Yves grabbed the wheel with white-knuckled hands, an unsettling grin twisting his mouth.

"Sylvia, do you really think he'd risk his life to save you?"

Sylvia's breath caught in her throat.

Before she could even sit up, Yves suddenly yanked the wheel hard, sending the car careening off the road.

realized he was

edge, swaying precariously above the raging waves below. Sylvia stared at the churning sea under the hood, her lips drained of color. She clung to

so terrified she stopped

shattered in the crash-there was still a way

her hands and began

out when suddenly a bloodied hand clamped around her ankle, yanking her

always told you your legs were gorgeous.

gentle as he ran

surged through her. She reached for the rocks ahead, but before she could grab hold,

didn't even have time to scream.

she was

still had her by

effort. Gritting his teeth, he growled,

Sylvia clung to Rupert's hand and kicked out, catching Yves in the

so long? Trying to catch me in the act using herself as Poor bait when in the end, she's just your bait,

into Sylvia's skull, making her head throb and

looked up at

knew all

watched Kay force me to marry him,

Rupert said nothing.

down his face, plastering his hair to his forehead and hiding his

a bitter laugh, letting the storm blur her vision, her heart heavy

sorrow.