The Million-Dollar Heart

Before Anna could even speak, she saw a motorcycle racing towards them from behind, the rider wielding a baseball bat. As it closed in, the bat smashed against the rear car window with a vicious swing. Anna shielded herself with her arm and yelled, "Hit the gas, now!"

Kenneth snapped to attention and floored the accelerator, speeding forward.

The car was a top-of-the-line sports model, yet to their astonishment, the motorcycle clung to their tail, relentlessly hammering at the window.

Although Aaron had learned a bit of self-defense from Mark, he was no match for actual combat. He could only huddle behind his school bag, yelling at Kenneth, "Can't you go any faster?!"

"This is as fast as she goes, dammit!" Kenneth was more terrified of the glass shards flying towards them than anything else; they could ruin his good looks!

Anna tried to open the door to fight back, but it was so badly bent it would not budge.

With a powerful kick, she shattered the car door window, steadied herself by grabbing the grab handle, and leaned out. Her lithe body delivered a kick that sent the pursuing motorcyclist tumbling into the roadside greenery, bike and all.

Kenneth was dumbstruck for a moment. "You could've just told me to retract the roof; this is a convertible!"

Anna's lips twitched with irritation, unable to comprehend how their team leader could have such an idiotic brother.

Aaron cursed and said, "Well, aren't you going to open it now?"

"Forget it," Anna said, leaning forward to push Kenneth's head to the side while she grabbed the steering wheel. "Just drive!"

Kenneth, reacting instinctively, slammed on the gas, and Anna executed a smooth right-hand drift.

They had just rounded the corner when they heard the sound of another motorcycle crashing at the bend they'd left, with someone on the ground.

"Damn, how many more are there?" Kenneth had not even seen the other motorcycle in pursuit.

Anna, too annoyed to reply, turned to Aaron. "Send Ms. Vivienne our location!"

Aaron quickly took out his phone and called Vivienne, informing her of their situation and location.

foot of Heaven's Gate Mountain in 6 miles!" Vivienne hung up without another word. Heaven's Gate Mountain was a landmark in Rivenwood, situated well beyond

where she

me up," Percival commanded as he opened her

do, Vivienne spun the steering wheel sharply to the

two pursuers off their motorcycles and

a brief silence. Gripping the handle tightly, Percival's face

was a terrible

his gun and badge confiscated. Faced with this sudden

Heaven's Gate Mountain without bringing any team members. Vivienne glanced at the wreckage of

their way to meet Anna, several motorcycles

not a tail. Otherwise, neither she

question was how these ambushers knew where to find them, especially when she had only learned of the location herself at the

flashed with

a traitor within

real-time whereabouts: Anna, Matthew, and the man she

their last botched operation at Eastlake

now it seemed

Mystics Society was her creation;

had trusted every member of the Nine Mystics

on the other end. "Vivienne, we've been ambushed. Several are hurt. How's

Miller to your location. I'll handle this

hanging up, Vivienne tossed her phone to Percival. "Matthew's in trouble,

opened the phone and

[No idea. I was following

Vivienne, and their phones

messaged Anna, [Turn off all

followed up with a string of codes,

their phones and then