The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne and Percival returned to their place.

An hour later, Matthew called. "Viv," he began, "those guys in black were long gone by the time we got there, but we've ID'd the bodies. All missing their hearts." "Fifteen in total, all underage girls, and none of them in the system."

Vivienne wasn't surprised.

The body she had found with Delilah likely came from the same source.

For someone like Abigail, using the undead to harvest these victims for her healing rituals was child's play.

The reason she hadn't touched these people before was fear of exposing her final trump card too soon.

But taking the hearts of a dozen people in one go showed her resolve.

Abigail was gearing up for a final showdown!

The next day, Vivienne took the mysterious box to Finnian.

When it came to exotic artifacts, no one was more knowledgeable than him.

Inspecting the box, Finnian nodded, "I can unlock it, but it'll take two days."

Vivienne was about to leave when Finnian stopped her, "Hold up, take a look at this. Just found it."

He handed her an ancient book.

It seemed at least a century old, documenting the cultural history of what was now the Southern Lakes region. But one line caught Vivienne's eye, tightening her expression. She read the entire story.

Setting down the book, her thoughts connected like dots, a smirk playing on her lips. "So, my hunch was right!"

Finnian stayed silent for a moment, then nodded. "If all this adds up, it clears up a lot of our questions."

was somber. "Her motive isn't hard to guess. Power corrupts, and when you add a vendetta into

head. "What worries me is, if things have reached this point, she might just snap from years of failed plans turning her into a madwoman." Vivienne's

mentor always went straight to

undead soldiers; she must have everything in

mention of undead soldiers, Finnian's expression darkened. "Then you should stay put, let me protect you. Or we could hide out at your grandfather's. The ancient warrior lineage still carries weight; nobody would dare touch you." Vivienne raised

was the old man

me that the only way to solve

isn't the time for bravado, Viv. Abigail's after the whole world. The stakes are too high, and I can't stand the thought of you in danger." Vivienne's gaze softened, her voice turning cold. "She won't get her

this box, I might be able to predict her final 'weapon."" "If you really want to

reluctantly. "Alright, I'll get you an answer by tomorrow. Until then, prioritize your safety, and don't go anywhere alone." Vivienne nodded, then as she was leaving, she turned back to Finnian with a warning,

waved her off,

was he supposed to keep this from her grandfather? If he found out, he'd rally all his sons

ride back, Vivienne sat in the

call, her voice hushed but tinged with

her eyes, asking softly,

through the rearview mirror, slightly embarrassed. "Viv, my mom wants to invite you over for dinner to properly thank

straightforward agreement. "Mom, Vivienne said yes. Book the table,

up, Anna apologized

on a dinner invitation, leaving her unsure of how

a hint of red, her

moment, Vivienne was

had almost

Anna was just a

had recently come

with the weight of

to mature too

with Daphne's return, it seemed like the lost