The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Just two steps out the door, and Percival’s deep voice halted him. “Come back.”

Thomas froze mid-stride, protesting, “Percival, if we don’t chase her down now, it’ll be too late. We can’t let Samantha get away again.”

Percival helped Vivienne to her feet, casting a dismissive glance at Thomas. “We’re withdrawing!”

“But…”

Before Thomas could finish, Percival shot him a look that silenced him immediately.

Thomas couldn’t understand why! With so many of them against one, couldn’t they snatch Samantha from that person’s grasp?

Leopold was just as baffled, but he could sense the strength in their adversary. Maybe Percival’s reluctance to pursue was because their lives were more valuable than capturing one Samantha.

The Nine Mystics Society didn’t take orders from Percival.

Draven, looking toward Vivienne, inquired, “Young Master, shall we withdraw?”

Vivienne pulled two life-saving pills from her pocket, handing one to Percival and swallowing the other herself.

After ingesting her pill, she instructed Draven, “Everyone withdraw. Starting today, the Nine Mystics Society is on lockdown. No one leaves. Prepare our defenses.”

Her words left Thomas and Leopold in a fog.

Samantha had escaped, and rather than chasing her down, they were ordered to prepare the Nine Mystics Society for defense.

What did this mean?

Draven, long accustomed to Vivienne’s commands, understood her immediately, and with a grave expression, he confirmed, “Understood, Young Master. I’ll initiate Level 2 Defense immediately.”

Thomas and Leopold were utterly confused.

Level 2 Defense? What was that? Was there a fight brewing?

The apprentices from Emerald Mountain didn’t question it; they trusted that Vivienne had her reasons.

Draven led the Nine Mystics Society members away without another word.

passed on the order for the Nightfall Assembly to

Emerald Mountain apprentices followed

only Vivienne, Percival,

Vivienne, rapidly healing her. This was the new and improved version she had recently developed, with

turned to Percival with a smirk.

Samantha’s escape,

running around has made me

and Percival headed

exchanged looks before reluctantly

soft sigh, “Such a

she casually tossed the miniature bomb

her move, grabbed her and

Leopold were a step behind but still dashed away

“Boom!”

burst of flames erupted behind them, reducing the

refuge within the

had uses for Vivienne, who, after medicating her, allowed

ended

aware of Mara’s past deeds and would have refused them

aunt close by and seeing Huxley, who had passed out upon arrival and

did those things because I was threatened. My sister-in-law has already punished me. She’s medicated me, and from now on, I’ll listen to

and snot smeared everywhere, and

her niece stupid

was killed by F-Poison, and the Boyd

at Mara, thought that if she had acted like this earlier, without causing trouble for

used to feel pity for Mara, orphaned so young, but now she somewhat regretted ever

for Vivienne and drop those crooked schemes,” Cecilia

Vivienne insisting on housing Mara and her brother,

nodded quickly. “I

and confirmed he was fine,

unmistakable devotion. When the

long before Huxley stirred back to

Mara, he seemed momentarily dazed before his voice, hoarse and

glistening with unshed tears as she pulled him into an embrace. “Huxley, oh, thank God you’re