The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Behind the Martinez family's back door, a figure clutching a box sneaked away.

"Master!"

Vivienne stood with her arms crossed, silently watching him, waiting for the moment he would notice her.

Finnian stiffened, then turned around with a grin, "You little rascal, what brings you here? Looking for me for something?"

Vivienne returned the smile, raising an eyebrow at him, "Thought you were heading back to the Rockies, you made it back pretty fast, huh?" Finnian, "..."

Seeing the box in his hands, Vivienne narrowed her eyes, "What's that you got there?"

Finnian instinctively hid the box behind him, "Nothing, nothing at all."

Vivienne saw right through him, "Master, taking gifts for your own disciple's matters? If Leopold finds out, you sure he won't come crying to you?"

Finnian's smile twitched, quickly pulling Vivienne to his side, "Come on, that fool of a kid is getting hitched, a little 'running errand' fee for his master isn't too much, right?" Vivienne just stared at him silently.

Feeling guilty under her gaze, Finnian gave in, "Alright, alright, I'll splurge on a fat check for his wedding, that should do it, right?"

But his treasures were off-limits.

With so many protégés, if this precedent was set, the rest of the Wolf pups would surely come sniffing around.

Vivienne glanced around, cutting to the chase, "Master, we talking here, or somewhere more private?"

Finnian, cautiously clutching the box, coughed lightly, "Here's fine!"

Changing spots might not guarantee his escape, after all.

Vivienne nodded, getting straight to the point, "About that backlash from forbidden magic you mentioned, is there a remedy?"

Finnian frowned, "Hard to say, the aftermath of forbidden magic varies greatly, and the cause is as elusive as a curse, even if cured it's only temporary."

"Generally speaking, the most direct way to break the curse is to eliminate the practitioner of the forbidden magic!"

Vivienne doubted it was that simple.

Declan's death could bring peace to the Wright family, Colin's final wish wouldn't be for their mutual

paused, then added, "That's just the simplest solution. Those who delve into forbidden magic usually harbor great ambitions and won't easily expose their weaknesses. But, everything has its origin, and the source of the backlash is bound

a plan

his box, attempted to make a quick

box's contents, he doubted they'd

across a condition where someone's scared of sunlight after

halted, confused, "You ran into a

Vivienne rolled her eyes.

Abigail's connected to that family you mentioned before. She heals by consuming human hearts and fears light." Finnian gasped, "To think

seen this before?" Vivienne caught the importance in his

scratched his nose, deflecting, "I'm no saint, can't claim to have seen every creature of the night. I'll check

your hopes too high, though. Such tales are

an eyebrow, "How

back to the Rockies,

and turned to

Vivienne, "Wait, what about the wild snow lotus you promised me? You didn't forget, did you?" Vivienne

logic was sound, Finnian felt

offering a verbal assurance, "Three days, I'll exchange what you find

up,

her chin, "Can I go

waved her off, "Off you go. And tell those kids to stop bothering me. They're grown enough to take

Vivienne didn't respond.

such an efficient

In the hall.

barely standing Leopold to

She said apologetically, "Leopold,

blame my grandpa

agreed to this bet out of. concern for me. They were worried what

shocked, nearly jumped up, "Impossible! When I, Leopold, make a

for such extremes. Knowing you

mistake, "That's not

the way, Griffin, when you mentioned your grandpa playing along, does that mean the invitation was also part of the

help but let out a chuckle mixed with disbelief, "Leo sometimes I think you're in your own little world, man. Didn't it strike you as odd that the invitation was only sent to your place?"

just blinked in confusion, not quite