The Million-Dollar Heart

Behind the Martinez family's back door, a figure clutching a box sneaked away.

"Master!"

Vivienne stood with her arms crossed, silently watching him, waiting for the moment he would notice her.

Finnian stiffened, then turned around with a grin, "You little rascal, what brings you here? Looking for me for something?"

Vivienne returned the smile, raising an eyebrow at him, "Thought you were heading back to the Rockies, you made it back pretty fast, huh?" Finnian, "..."

Seeing the box in his hands, Vivienne narrowed her eyes, "What's that you got there?"

Finnian instinctively hid the box behind him, "Nothing, nothing at all."

Vivienne saw right through him, "Master, taking gifts for your own disciple's matters? If Leopold finds out, you sure he won't come crying to you?"

Finnian's smile twitched, quickly pulling Vivienne to his side, "Come on, that fool of a kid is getting hitched, a little 'running errand' fee for his master isn't too much, right?" Vivienne just stared at him silently.

Feeling guilty under her gaze, Finnian gave in, "Alright, alright, I'll splurge on a fat check for his wedding, that should do it, right?"

But his treasures were off-limits.

With so many protégés, if this precedent was set, the rest of the Wolf pups would surely come sniffing around.

Vivienne glanced around, cutting to the chase, "Master, we talking here, or somewhere more private?"

Finnian, cautiously clutching the box, coughed lightly, "Here's fine!"

Changing spots might not guarantee his escape, after all.

Vivienne nodded, getting straight to the point, "About that backlash from forbidden magic you mentioned, is there a remedy?"

Finnian frowned, "Hard to say, the aftermath of forbidden magic varies greatly, and the cause is as elusive as a curse, even if cured it's only temporary."

"Generally speaking, the most direct way to break the curse is to eliminate the practitioner of the forbidden magic!"

it was that

family, Colin's final wish wouldn't be for their mutual

added, "That's just the simplest solution. Those who delve into forbidden magic usually harbor great ambitions and won't easily expose their weaknesses. But, everything has its origin, and the source of

Vivienne had a plan forming

settled, Finnian, clutching his box, attempted to make a

his apprentices caught a glimpse of the box's contents, he doubted they'd leave

Vivienne asked, "Master, ever come across a condition where someone's scared of sunlight after

halted, confused, "You ran into

Vivienne rolled her eyes.

you mentioned before. She heals by consuming human hearts and fears light."

seen this before?" Vivienne caught the importance in his

nose, deflecting, "I'm no saint, can't claim to have seen every creature of the night.

hopes too high, though. Such tales are often embellished

an

thought for a moment, "A trip back to the Rockies, give me

nodded and turned to

forget, did you?" Vivienne spread her hands, unfazed, "I've been at the hospital dealing with Leopold's mess

her logic was sound, Finnian

a verbal assurance, "Three days, I'll exchange what you find for

lit up, "That's

tilted her chin, "Can

And tell those kids to stop bothering

Vivienne didn't respond.

go of such an efficient

In the hall.

helping the barely standing Leopold to

my grandpa or dad. They agreed to this bet out of. concern for me. They were worried

jumped up, "Impossible! When I, Leopold, make

smiled bitterly, "No need for such

his mistake, "That's not what