The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

After being cooped up for two days straight, Vivienne had hit her limit.

No sooner had she convinced Mr. Wolf to take a walk and clear his head than Finnian's call came through. She answered, "What's up, Finnian?"

From the other end, Finn's voice came in a rush, "Something weird's going on with Dawson. One minute he's fine, the next he's out cold, breathing all weird. I've checked him over top to bottom and can't find a thing wrong. You better come take a look." Vivienne frowned slightly, "Alright."

Percival grabbed a jacket from nearby and draped it over her shoulders, "I'm coming with you."

As they reached the foyer, Percival's phone rang.

Leopold's voice, loud enough to echo through the room, came through, "Percival, man, I need help. My place got swarmed by these undead goons out of nowhere. They just won't stay down. I'm out of my depth here, and Grandpa's freaking out, thinking he's about to have a heart attack. Get over here, will you?"

After a moment's thought, Vivienne made up her mind, "Mr. Wolf, you help Leopold. Thomas can drive me to Finnian's."

Percival's eyes darkened as he issued a command into the phone, "Call Vanguard Agency, use as many people as you need, just say it's on my orders."

With that, he hung up, gripping Vivienne's hand tighter, "I'm going with you."

Vivienne blinked, unsure if Mr. Wolf had misunderstood.

The issue involved a group, not an army.

Even if the entire Vanguard Agency showed up, they'd be overkill.

On the other end, Leopold was baffled.

Had he heard right? Percival had just handed him the reins to Vanguard Agency's entire force?

That was top-level clearance.

They arrived quickly at Finnian's place, who was pacing anxiously at the doorstep.

Seeing them, his worry lines eased, "You're here. Dawson's not looking good. Come on."

Inside, Dawson lay on the bed, his face alarmingly pale.

Vivienne took one glance and sensed something off.

"Who has

network here. He seemed fine last night but was like this by morning." "I've tried everything I know in the last hour, but

Finnian looked distressed.

sort of situation. Standard detox methods had only worsened

Dawson's body would soon

asking and pulled out

to proceed,

used his powers as a shield, sending

of setup against him but was grateful

blood, glared at Percival with newfound venom, his pupils shifting

attack carried unfamiliar energy, mismatched with his

cold precision, draining Dawson of the foreign power without

Finnian stood back, knowing Percival wouldn't cause Dawson

Dawson's aggressive behavior

fiercer, Finnian exclaimed, "This is bad! Dawson's risking his own life in

gaze hardened. Flicking a silver needle, she hit Dawson at a precise spot in his neck. A moment of clarity

seeing Vivienne, he attempted

could finish,

and tossed Dawson back onto the

was a

rough landing sounded painfully

Dawson was truly poisoned, Percival was clear: no taking

Wolf's actions, but at Dawson's earlier reaction, which she had

suggesting the cause was not poison or a hex aimed at Vivienne but at Mr.

"What's happening to me?"

suddenly seemed more lucid, though still confused at seeing everyone around him. Percival remained silent as Vivienne approached, "Dawson, do

shook his

clutched at

with a

sw novel.

jerk? What's wrong with me? Don't you know how much I

Percival's face darkened visibly.

could only sigh

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