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.

had long coveted Percival's tier-ten supernatural abilities. Now, he had walked right into her trap, a spark of excitement

flick of her wrist, she tossed Anna aside. To

power in his palm, and launched it at Abigail, pushing her several meters away. His eyes were

long as Abigail lived, the danger to Vivienne and their unborn child would

thrilled, saw this as an opportunity to claim their powers for herself.

midst of the

struggling to stand, wiped the blood from her mouth and pulled out a gun, aiming it at Abigail's head

gunshot echoed, but the bullet

you can't harm me.

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

mother years ago; she wouldn't let her

Sasha, "Karen,

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

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

from Anna and struck at Abigail with precision and

dodged, unbothered by Sasha's

was skilled, her inner energy was no match

Sasha couldn't land a hit on Abigail but prevented her

Abigail's powers were formidable, but they had limitations at close

for a deadly strike at Abigail while she

sensing the incoming attack, concentrated her powers for

as she turned, Sasha's eyes narrowed,

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 powerful force aimed at

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

all his might, but Abigail was

her power to shield Sasha, creating

immense energy, revealing an