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!

name was

that Finnian

continued, “The Sheldon family’s forte was more mystical

was certain Finnian was the

all, only she knew the extent of Finnian’s

all of his skills on to her, even though she had not yet

the lineage, though they were outliers. Your grandfather, in particular, was quite fond of them. He and the

“Why were the Sheldons hunted down

divine retribution; others claim they miscalculated something crucial, leading to their demise. But no one

lineage. Not outright hostility, but

picked up a duck foot and chewed thoughtfully. “Our family went public under your grandfather’s leadership – the first to

he choose to

considered, then said, “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. The others in the lineage did not understand. My grandfather did not object, either. Besides, there are so many rules within the lineage. Dad was always a bit of a rebel.

solemn expression, Maddox inquired, “What’s

the open and staying hidden? Aren’t we all still serving the same purpose, still holding

as he leaned in and said, “Vivienne, do you know why the gods

pensive, but she quickly grasped

enshrined within a cathedral to the common folk—revered in whispers, their presence felt but

mentioning

inevitably lead to their assimilation

and wealth, they would

all, who would not revel in

some from the ancient warrior lineage

them of their

they could obliterate an entire family without

from the other families when he chose to live among the public?”