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.”

State. The sanatorium had gone

trouble from Vanguard Agency?” Vivienne

knew this calmness was the

on things, though the agency

the warehouse. Leave Carl

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

crossed Vivienne’s lips, a dangerous glint in her eyes.

up, Vivienne tapped her phone, planning her

up, placing a hand on Percival’s

pressing a light kiss to the back of it. “It would

…

underbelly of M State, Larry was

you don’t stop crying, I swear I’ll turn you into coal dust!” he threatened

he was, tried to mediate. “He’s just a kid.

Larry groaned, sitting down in frustration. “Huxley, one more peep, and I’m leaving you here to

his sobs, muttering, “We’re in a sewer, not

about to explode when Carl intervened. “Let’s focus on getting out of here. We

felt a wave of dizziness—he had barely recovered before their

Carl a life-saving pill. “I left signals along the way. Let’s hope the

…

hospital, Faye Churchill and

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

Anna reassured, folding a paper

Vivienne is the Specter Healer. She fixed me up; she’ll take care

in hers. “Since