The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne’s brow furrowed with concern as she reached out to the other junior disciples. Larry was in trouble, and they needed to rally immediately!

Soon enough, the disciples gathered at the hospital.

The sight of Percival made their blood boil, each itching to deliver a swift punch, but Larry’s well-being was paramount. With a collective glare at Percival, they turned their attention to Vivienne.

Dawson had been the last to speak with Larry. “Vivienne, didn’t he say he was heading up to the M State sanatorium to pick up your protégé? How did he go off the grid?”

“No idea. We can’t reach the sanatorium, and Draven’s already headed there with a team. Everyone, stay sharp—we’re too close to cracking this case to slip up now.”

The disciples nodded in unison. “Got it!”

Vivienne delegated key positions to her crew; they were on the lookout for any sign of Larry, Carl, or Huxley.

Leopold, still nursing his injuries, was relegated to base camp at the hospital.

After scouring every news outlet, Leopold finally had something. “Vivienne, I found out why the sanatorium went dark.”

“What happened?” Vivienne asked, her voice steady but laced with tension.

“Last night, there was a violent robbery. The thieves cut all communications and set the place ablaze after they were done. Local cops didn’t get wind of it till dawn. By the time they arrived, the sanatorium was ashes.”

Percival frowned. “That sanatorium’s isolated, but not isolated enough to be burned down without anyone noticing.”

“Apparently, someone jammed the police frequencies. The station missed several distress calls,” Leopold handed over the news report to Vivienne and Percival.

Vivienne closed her laptop, her eyes smoldering with barely contained fury.

This was it—the last straw.

phone rang.

“Talk to me.”

Got a call from M State. The sanatorium had gone up in flames,

things? Any trouble from Vanguard Agency?” Vivienne

calmness was

we’re out. Heading to the warehouse to check on things, though the agency has everything

warehouse. Leave Carl to

and then head to M State. Dad’s already on his way.” Ronald paused, his voice

dangerous glint

her phone, planning her

hand on Percival’s shoulder.

kiss to the

…

State, Larry was at his wit’s

you into coal dust!” he threatened the

he was, tried to mediate. “He’s just a kid. What’s the use in

groaned, sitting down in frustration. “Huxley,

“We’re in a sewer,

intervened. “Let’s focus on getting out of

of dizziness—he had barely recovered

along the way. Let’s hope the Nine Mystics

…

the hospital, Faye Churchill and Charlotte

you get so banged up? It’s been weeks, hasn’t it?” Charlotte sat by Anna, horrified at the sight of her bandages. “You’re not going

Anna reassured, folding a paper

Specter Healer. She fixed me

blinked, taking Anna’s hands in hers. “Since when did