The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne took a delicate sip of her herbal tea, her eyes signaling her mentor to continue. Whether to believe or not, she decided, was up to her to judge.

"Sasha must've mentioned it to you, that artifact has quite a history, tracing back about two centuries. The family in question was of noble military lineage, but due to their overwhelming power, they were eventually decimated under the guise of treason. If any descendants exist, they'd be from a side branch."

"But there's a piece of folklore about this family that might just align with the clues you're seeking."

"Folklore?" Vivienne looked up, her gaze cool and detached.

Master Finnian's cheeks flushed with a touch of annoyance, his teacup clattering slightly as he set it on the table. "My dear girl, your mentor here has a reputation and dignity to uphold. Would I really concoct a tale just to save a few dollars?"

"Don't forget, I gave a generous wedding gift, even parting with some of my prized possessions, things your fellow apprentices could only dream of."

Vivienne returned to her tea, clearly uninterested in the tangent.

The old man was stretching it. How could she possibly believe a tale spanning two centuries?

Besides, she knew the "generous" wedding gift was funded by contributions from her fellow apprentices, and the prized possessions? Merely some calligraphy he'd done himself...

Other than the framing costs, she wondered where the expense was.

"I could return those 'precious' items if you'd like," she retorted.

"You wouldn't dare!"

"These aren't things you can just ask back for. Spit three times to ward off bad luck, you ungrateful child. You have no idea of its worth; others would kill for such treasures..." Finnian, flustered and tapping his chest, glared at Vivienne. "Where was I? You've completely thrown me off track."

Vivienne merely sighed.

"Before their downfall, this family was embroiled in scandal due to a marriage. The sole heiress fell ill with a mysterious disease that disfigured her on the eve of her wedding, rendering her a monster in

mystic offered a solution - a potion brewed with the blood from a maiden's

from a maiden's heart?" Vivienne

now, such

adding, "The tale has several versions. Some say it was all a ruse by the family to avoid marriage and escape royal scrutiny. Others believe the blood was a decoy, that the family had

narrowed her eyes. A maiden's

Who was Abigail, really?

the outcome?"

his teacup towards her. "Pour me some

a slight pout, Vivienne obliged, their long-standing

a satisfying sip, Finnian continued, "Rumor has it, after regaining her health, the heiress sought

into his teacup as if it held the secrets of the universe. "That's

was at a loss

could be unreliable, but this was beyond her expectations. These "secrets" were

a crucial detail. "So, what was the

his

called out, "Leaving so soon? We've barely

"Master, have you heard of an ancient warrior lineage with the ability to teleport, accessible only

cup tightened. "Impossible. You've seen the abilities of the Grimshaws and the Perez. Such powers are the result of generations of dedication and training." Vivienne

together. He knew his apprentice well;

true, it