The Million-Dollar Heart

Ten minutes had passed when Vivienne's eyelids fluttered open, the discomfort in her heart a faded memory. She rose to inspect Yuri's right hand, where the needle had been inserted. The sight gave her a moment's pause.

Such a peculiar way to administer a needle...

"Kiddo, when did I ever teach you to let your mind wander while treating a patient?" Finnian's voice snapped her back to reality.

Gathering herself, Vivienne twisted the needle gently at Yuri's pressure point before slowly withdrawing it. She then placed a Life-saving pill on Yuri's tongue, which helped his hand return to normal. "Vivienne, I'm feeling much better." Yuri flexed his hand and turned to Finnian, "You must be Master Finnian, Vivienne's mentor?"

Finnian gave a nod. "That's me."

Yuri bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment. "My apologies for not greeting you properly. Please rest a while, and once the gentleman inside comes out, I shall express my gratitude."

"We're all family here. No need for formalities," Finnian said, taking the seat Vivienne had just vacated, eyeing the Blue Infusion on the table.

The Perez family sure knew how to live large. Blue Infusion was a rare commodity, fetching billions for a single chunk, and here they were, brewing it as if it were plain tap water.

Vivienne could almost read Finnian's mind by the look on his face. She approached him and lifted his sleeve to find the wound on his arm healing nicely, which eased a weight off her heart. She glanced at the closed door to Jasper's room, saying, "That guy earlier, was he the expert friend you mentioned?"

Finnian nodded. "Of course. Handsome fellow, isn't he? Puts your fiancé to shame."

Ignoring Finnian's cheeky comment, Vivienne pressed on, "Has he ever been to the Emerald Monastery?"

"No, he's an old friend from way back. We met after my death. You wouldn't have met him," Finnian said, waving his hand dismissively.

Yuri, who was sipping the Blue Infusion, nearly choked on his drink. "You met after what now?"

Vivienne pressed her palm to her forehead in exasperation. "Uncle, my mentor once faked his death and had us all fooled. He's only recently 'come back to life.""

Understanding dawned on Yuri, and he chuckled. "Master Finnian, your life is quite... colorful."

this girl pressing me, I'd be even

gentleman who just went inside seemed

Percival exchanged surprised glances. Yuri felt

twirled his fingers. "My friend has one of those common faces, the everyman look. Everyone finds

did you become such a flirt?" Finnian teased, "Sit tight, and don't let it

her chest. "No worries there.

to the bedroom door and said, "Finnian, your friend's medical skills are

for Finnian,

famed for reviving the dead and mending broken bones.

someone better. But don't be disheartened, kiddo. You're only nineteen. By the time you're his age, you'll be the world's

of this man before.

kept a low profile all these years, and look at you now, the Specter

words left Vivienne without

an hour later, the bedroom door finally swung open, and a man emerged, his forehead slick with sweat and his shirt stained with blood. Vivienne approached. "Are you

breath. "I'm fine. Did you brew the medicine? Bring it

Vivienne noted

the brew to Jasper and said, "He'll wake

to it. "Here,

air before she let it drop, saying nothing

sipped the Blue

your father's old injury flared up, but he's been soothed for now. Remember, on the eighth of every month, ensure Jasper stays indoors," he

the

"Vesper Linklater."