The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne could not help but think it probably would not be that easy.

This kind of thing, straight out of a fantasy novel, had her utterly gobsmacked.

Telekinesis? It sounded like something out of a fairy tale.

But her shock didn’t last long. Vivienne was the type to believe that the world was full of wonders beyond the grasp of her imagination.

“So that’s how it is. Quite fascinating,” she mused.

As they spoke, their takeout arrived. Thus, the two of them chatted away while chowing down.

Vivienne crunched on a piece of crispy duck skin, saying, “I’ve heard that these ancient warrior lineages are usually hidden from the world. So why did the Martinez family decide to go public? And what about the Boyd family? Why were they kicked out of this secret society?”

Gnawing on a duck drumstick, Maddox replied, “A big part of why the Boyd family got the boot was their restlessness. They were too greedy, trying to use the power and prestige of the ancient warrior lineage to monopolize the market and control the economy. They even harassed the Martinez family, attempting to snatch away their arms-dealing rights. After their scheme was exposed, they decided to exile them and neutralize their special techniques so they could not pass them on and cause more trouble.

As for why our family and the Martinez family decided to go public…” Maddox belched, “Well, that’s a long story. You might’ve heard about that one family that crossed the lineage and then vanished overnight?”

Vivienne nodded. “I’ve heard rumors. How did they manage to offend the ancient warrior lineage? Does it have anything to do with the Perez or the Martinez families?”

“We’re all quite peaceable,” Maddox said, taking a swig of cola. “The family that got wiped out was also part of the lineage but more on the fringes. Their surname was Sheldon.”

Vivienne’s grip tightened.

Sheldon!

There was only one Sheldon that she knew of – Finnian!

real name

had never known that Finnian was part of the

Sheldon family’s forte was

was certain Finnian was the last

knew the extent

her, even though she had not yet

outliers. Your grandfather, in particular, was quite fond of them. He and the young Sheldon heir were close friends back in the day, though it’s all

the Sheldons hunted down when the Boyds were merely expelled? What led to

Some say the Sheldons were struck by divine retribution; others claim they miscalculated

fractures formed within the lineage. Not outright hostility, but

“Our family went public under your grandfather’s leadership –

were a whirlwind. “Why did he choose

“He never said, but I think so. After the Sheldons vanished without a trace, not to be spoken of again, it must’ve weighed on him. He’s always valued loyalty, and the disappearance of his close friend could not have been easy to accept.

solemn expression, Maddox inquired, “What’s on your

Aren’t we all still serving the same purpose, still holding onto the title of the ancient warrior lineage? Why do all but the Perez and Martinez

he leaned in and

she quickly grasped the meaning behind Maddox’s

cathedral to the common folk—revered in

mentioning the ancient warrior lineage inspired

to walk the earth, indistinguishable from the average Joe, it would inevitably lead to their assimilation by other prominent families, no longer perched on their

they

who would not

from the ancient warrior lineage fancied themselves as gods

of

they could obliterate an

from the other families when he chose