The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival presented his ID to the guard, who scanned it and did a visible double-take. A newfound respect tinged with puzzlement washed over his face as he looked up at Percival again.

“Deputy Director, please come inside.” The guard swung the wrought-iron gate open, watching as Percival strode through.

Vivienne glanced back, slightly taken aback that even the gatekeeper seemed deeply enmeshed with the Vanguard Agency.

And more so, he recognized Percival’s rank.

Once inside the estate, it was a further ten-minute drive before Percival parked the car.

Stepping out alongside Percival, Vivienne was met with two individuals approaching, each holding a sleek, black satchel that housed the latest model of detection devices – the one Griffin had invented.

These devices had not even hit the market yet, and here, the Linklater security team each had one in hand.

“Apologies, but we’ll need to collect all electronic devices, including cell phones and cameras.”

Percival nonchalantly tossed his phone, wallet, and even his wristwatch into one of the satchels.

Spreading his arms, he allowed the security personnel to sweep their detectors over him.

Vivienne followed suit, her watch joining Percival’s belongings in the bag.

After the check, Percival took Vivienne’s hand, and, led by one of the guards, they finally entered the main hall of the Linklater estate.

Navigating through the corridors, Vivienne glimpsed a grand staircase leading up to the Linklaters’ living quarters.

She sighed silently.

The security measures were nearly as stringent as airport checks, minus the conveyor belt and x-ray machine.

Percival squeezed her hand and whispered, audible only to the two of them, “Yorick’s got his rules, but he’s nice. No need to worry. Not the boogeyman type.”

Vivienne chuckled, “Good to hear he’s not the boogeyman, or we’d be surrounded by them.”

smile, they continued into

out to

“Vivienne, it’s you two.”

It was Diana.

with surprise, not

“Dracon, let me introduce you. This is my father’s goddaughter, Vivienne Hawthorn, and her fiancé, Percival Ellington. Vivienne, Dracon Linklater and I were college

were

College buddies, especially mentioned.

that Jasper intended for Diana to forge

Jasper and Yorick were

Percival’s hand. “You must be Percival

mistakenly, that Dracon was deliberately

least acknowledge

sigh at

today, and I apologize for any inconvenience. Is he available?” Percival’s

was clear that Percival genuinely respected Yorick and, by extension, treated his family with

good time. My

with concern. “What’s wrong

the old issues flaring up. He’s not been well since a cold he caught a

did not speak, their movements

say about Yorick’s

my father might be bedridden from here on out. The injuries from

face was as

get involved, but seeing Percival’s distress, she

like to have a look at

her, “You? Specter Healer?

Percival’s sake, but Dracon’s response

by Percival and Karen, she would not have

lifted her gaze to Dracon, her eyes narrowing,

Dracon had called her

introduced herself to the Linklaters, but somehow, Dracon had already pegged

shot a glance at Diana, realizing that her title must’ve