Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

He whispered the words again, heading straight for the door.

Maybe it was Sylvia's imagination, but the usual icy, pine-like chill that clung to him was now masked by a heavy scent of antiseptic and medicine.

When she turned, he was already gone.

Chris snapped back to reality, a little anxious. "I'm going to check on him."

That left only Reese and Sylvia in the room.

Reese didn't press for details; she just helped Sylvia sit down. "Sylvia, I'm sorry. My aunt can be kind of stubborn. I think Mr. Rupert only tolerates her because of me. Let me apologize on their behalf."

Sylvia looked at Reese, at a loss for words.

It took a while before she finally asked, "Reese, about Yves..."

"I had no idea Yves was like that behind the scenes. He hurt so many women-he deserves to answer to the law. You were amazing, but you took such a big risk."

Reese's voice was passionate, even a little naive.

Sylvia only had to think for a second to understand where that innocence came from.

Rupert had never told Reese how twisted Yves's obsession with her had become. He just let her take the fall.

What a joke.

her face

in surprise. "Sylvia,

You're just...

to be loved and

back onto the bed, reassuring her. "Alright,

leave, Sylvia reached out and

the rumors, okay? Just focus on

smiled. "You guys worry

Sylvia in, still

as if a heavy burden had finally been lifted, drifted off

Rupert and followed him

door, he saw Rupert's tall

He rushed forward, catching Rupert and helping him onto the

up,

even bother to fix it. Instead, he yanked Rupert's shirt open to check the wounds-split open again,

bring supplies and meds, tending to the

you just speak up out there? If you'd just stood up and said Kay was behind all this, she wouldn't.

almost got yourself killed, got stabbed threw yourself into the ocean and wrecked your spine. Then Kay

much, why not just say it? Look at Mr.

up, but the words caught in his throat when

man was ghostly pale, sweat beading and dripping from his