The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 1117

Chapter 1117

On the outskirts of the village, Draven had his crew ready the dynamite as the approaching group neared, his hand hovering over a detonator. It was at this moment, however, that a familiar, grumbling voice cut through the tension. "Why pick such a godforsaken place? If we can't find anyone, might as well blow it all to kingdom come!" Leopold's voice came, laced with frustration.

Draven paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as he set aside his tools and stepped outside.

The rustling in the woods immediately drew Leopold's attention. He had just drawn his knife when Draven emerged from the treeline.

"Jesus, is that you, kid?" Leopold exclaimed, relief washing over him as he recognized Draven. "I was this close to turning you into a pincushion. You gotta be more careful!"

Draven just stared, feeling a shiver run down his spine at Leopold's tone, which had taken on an eerie quality after spending too much time with his wife.

Ignoring Leopold's ramble, Draven scanned the area behind him.

"What're you looking for?" Leopold asked, puzzled.

"Is it just you guys? Didn't run into anyone else on the way here?"

Leopold was taken aback by the barrage of questions. "Who else would bother coming to this dump? No, we didn't see a soul."

Reassured, Draven led Leopold back to their base, only for Leopold to almost have a heart attack at the sight of the explosives aimed in their direction.

you planning a welcome party or a funeral?" Leopold yelled, prompting Draven's men to quickly

he supposed, especially when allegiances could shift as easily as the wind. Percival

at

hesitated, then sighed

Mayor Thompson stood, petrified, as Vivienne approached, her

swift motion, Vivienne lifted Mayor Thompson with one hand as if he weighed nothing, then rounded up the others, tossing

protective formation they'd relied on was broken, unleashing

shadows began assaulting Vivienne with a ferocity that belied their

an equal in

the challenge, her powers coming to the fore as she identified their weaknesses, exploiting them with her abilities. Soon, the ground was littered with the remnants of

the source of the lightning that lit up the night sky from the mountaintop. Percival,

creeping into

"She's up

the mountaintop hinted at the

the world is Vivienne doing?" Leopold gasped at the scale

Leopold, Percival raced up the

the last of the shadows, the formation now useless. She stood, back to them, contemplating the storm's

the storm's center, Vivienne took a step

"Vivienne!" Percival shouted.

her eyes met theirs, sending a chill

"Vivienne!"