The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Ten minutes had passed when Vivienne’s eyelids fluttered open, the discomfort in her heart a faded memory. She rose to inspect Yuri’s right hand, where the needle had been inserted. The sight gave her a moment’s pause.

Such a peculiar way to administer a needle…

“Kiddo, when did I ever teach you to let your mind wander while treating a patient?” Finnian’s voice snapped her back to reality.

Gathering herself, Vivienne twisted the needle gently at Yuri’s pressure point before slowly withdrawing it. She then placed a Life-saving pill on Yuri’s tongue, which helped his hand return to normal.

“Vivienne, I’m feeling much better.” Yuri flexed his hand and turned to Finnian, “You must be Master Finnian, Vivienne’s mentor?”

Finnian gave a nod. “That’s me.”

Yuri bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment. “My apologies for not greeting you properly. Please rest a while, and once the gentleman inside comes out, I shall express my gratitude.”

“We’re all family here. No need for formalities,” Finnian said, taking the seat Vivienne had just vacated, eyeing the Blue Infusion on the table.

The Perez family sure knew how to live large. Blue Infusion was a rare commodity, fetching billions for a single chunk, and here they were, brewing it as if it were plain tap water.

Vivienne could almost read Finnian’s mind by the look on his face. She approached him and lifted his sleeve to find the wound on his arm healing nicely, which eased a weight off her heart.

She glanced at the closed door to Jasper’s room, saying, “That guy earlier, was he the expert friend you mentioned?”

Finnian nodded. “Of course. Handsome fellow, isn’t he? Puts your fiancé to shame.”

Ignoring Finnian’s cheeky comment, Vivienne pressed on, “Has he ever been to the Emerald Monastery?”

“No, he’s an old friend from way back. We met after my death. You wouldn’t have met him,” Finnian said, waving his hand dismissively.

Yuri, who was sipping the Blue Infusion, nearly choked on his drink. “You met after what now?”

Vivienne pressed her palm to her forehead in exasperation. “Uncle, my mentor once faked his death and had us all fooled. He’s only recently ‘come back to life.'”

Understanding dawned on Yuri, and he chuckled. “Master Finnian, your life is quite… colorful.”

If it were not for this girl pressing me, I’d be even more carefree,” Finnian replied nonchalantly, with

gentleman who just went inside seemed familiar, too. I can’t quite place it. Have we

glances. Yuri felt it, too? Who was

absentmindedly twirled his fingers. “My friend has one of those common faces, the everyman look.

no way he could be more handsome

Finnian teased, “Sit tight,

touched her chest. “No worries there. All my injuries

turned her gaze back to the bedroom door and said, “Finnian,

save for Finnian, looked

Specter Healer, famed for reviving the dead and mending broken bones. Could someone really

kiddo. You’re only nineteen. By the time you’re his age, you’ll be the world’s number one

never heard of this man before. He’s never shown his

all these years, and

Vivienne

open, and a man emerged, his forehead slick with sweat and his shirt

approached. “Are you

fine. Did you brew the medicine? Bring it here so

watch, Vivienne noted

fed the brew

her to it.

in the air before she let

sat down and sipped the

father’s old injury flared up, but he’s been soothed for now. Remember, on the eighth of

“May I have the honor

“Vesper Linklater.”

of surprise crossed Yuri’s eyes. The surname Linklater was uncommon in

know of a Linklater from years past, but surely this could not be the same person. The one he knew did not practice medicine, and this one did. Unless the enigmatic figure he remembered had taken up healing as a hobby. After

familiar with the

know of a Linklater,

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