The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Larry grunted in agreement.

Huxley, hearing the affirmation, let out a sigh of relief and gripped Carl’s sleeve tighter, his gaze dropping as he lost himself in thought.

The group trekked on, the passage of time lost to them until a faint glimmer of light hinted at the end of their subterranean journey.

“Thank God,” Huxley exclaimed, spotting the brightness ahead. “Looks like we’re finally going to see the light of day!”

The oppressive darkness of the mine shafts had been nearly suffocating, and the promise of escape was a balm to his weary spirit.

Larry, however, squinted at the light suspiciously, his instincts on high alert. Things were never this easy.

If an exit was so conveniently placed, what was the point of dragging them down here in the first place?

His steps became cautious as he whispered a warning to the others, “Stay sharp. Something’s fishy up ahead.”

They continued, the light growing stronger, beckoning them forward despite the potential danger.

Emerging from the stifling confines of the mine, they found themselves in a surprisingly large clearing.

“Did we actually make it out?” Carl muttered, disbelief etched across his face.

Larry’s brow furrowed tighter. He was half-expecting an ambush.

Free from the claustrophobic tunnels, Huxley took a deep breath, allowing himself a momentary sense of relief. The last thing he wanted was to revisit the horrors of the mine. Although Larry and Carl were with him, that was still a terrifying experience.

“Tsk.” Just then, as if on cue, a woman adorned with a golden half-mask appeared, her form draped in a striking red dress that hugged her curves like a second skin. She oozed an air of mystery and grace.

With her hands on her hips and a silver fan in her grasp, she had the poise of a seasoned actress on stage, though how long she had been there was anyone’s guess.

her

one with any real fighting prowess

was nearly restored. But he knew this woman’s skills were superior to his own; her mere presence, undetected until

you?” Larry’s voice was flat, his

law, but here in M State, he

into a mocking smile. “You’re not worthy

her, but she anticipated his attack with eerie precision,

sidestepped, her fan snapped open, revealing needles that flew at Larry. He narrowly avoided them, rolling

to be

Mountain’s disciple? Disappointing.”

another mouthful

she continued, “You aren’t waiting for your precious senior and the Nine Mystics

well-informed about Vivienne and the Nine Mystics Society unsettled Larry. Why let them escape if

there was more to their abduction

behind? My people have cleaned them up nicely,” she said, fanning herself leisurely as if sipping afternoon tea

was setting in, a sound echoed

Vivienne and Percival, hand in hand, their expressions

of them

mistaken them for

retorted, thrusting her needles at the red-dressed enigma, who dodged with

laughed softly. “Impolite as ever. I held you

assault intensified at the revelation, but the mysterious woman

watching in disbelief, realized even Vivienne struggled

F-Poison, aren’t you?” Vivienne

easily avoided Vivienne’s flurry, her disdain apparent at the meBooks Chapters