The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

When Finnian mentioned that tale ages ago, Vivienne had only heard whispers of it.

Piecing it together with an ancient tome she had found, it seemed likely that Abigail was a descendent of that old lineage.

Over two centuries old.

How many lives had been lost at her hands?

Abigail didn't find it odd to be guessed of her age. Instead, she smirked with a cruel, mocking smile, "Doomsday? What of it? When I rule the world, what can it do to me?"

She believed destiny had chosen her for greatness, to rule. In her eyes, she was merely fulfilling her destiny.

By the time Vivienne Hawthorn sensed something was amiss, Abigail had already cast a protective barrier around the room with a swift motion of her hands.

"Instead of waiting for doomsday to claim me, let's see if you can make it out alive. I've sealed this room with a barrier. None of you will escape today!"

"I will have the Millennium Aegis shard, and eternal life is within my grasp."

With that, she lunged towards Vivienne.

Anna unsheathed the knife hidden behind her, stepping in front of Vivienne, "Vivienne, I got this!"

She was determined to avenge her mother's death.

Vivienne didn't stop her but warned, "She has supernatural powers. Get close to have a chance."

Despite the odds, she wanted to give Anna this opportunity.

Anna nodded slightly and dashed towards Abigail, her knife aimed straight for her.

Before Anna could get close, Abigail waved her hand, casting Anna out of the barrier, ready to take her life. Just then, a surge of supernatural power aimed at her came from behind Vivienne. It was Percival Ellington making his move.

he had walked right into her trap, a spark of excitement in her

wrist, she tossed Anna aside. To her, mere mortals

palm, and launched it at Abigail, pushing her several meters away. His

lived, the danger to Vivienne and

saw this as an opportunity to claim their powers for herself. The stronger, the

midst

mouth and pulled out a

but

herself, looking down at Anna with a smirk, "I told you, you can't harm me. But since you so wish to join your

bullet at Anna, Sasha Perez tackled her, avoiding the deadly

years ago; she wouldn't let her friend's daughter come to harm

Sasha,

had braced herself for the worst but couldn't bear the thought of Karen facing

head, "Anna, don't do anything foolish. We'll

of distraction, Sasha grabbed the knife from Anna

effortlessly dodged, unbothered

Sasha was skilled, her inner energy was no match for Abigail's supernatural

on

powers were formidable, but

combining their efforts for a

concentrated her powers

she turned, Sasha's eyes narrowed, thrusting her knife towards

Sasha's skill, feeling a chill as blood trickled down her neck. Her eyes turned cold, "I almost forgot, had you not been pregnant back then, I wouldn't have waited these twenty years. Dying by my hand now settles that old debt." In the next instant, Abigail rose, her hand wielding a

managed to wound her. Those who dared were reduced to bones under

his might, but Abigail was intent

to shield Sasha, creating a barrier against Abigail's

erupted with immense energy, revealing