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.

Finnian, she asked, "Who has Dawson been in contact with

yesterday, hoping to expand his network here. He seemed fine last night but was like this by

Finnian looked distressed.

didn't cover this sort of situation. Standard detox methods had only

proper intervention, Dawson's body

and pulled

was about to proceed, Dawson

used his powers as a shield,

had suspected some sort of setup against him but was grateful it was

glared at Percival with newfound venom, his pupils shifting from

attack carried unfamiliar energy, mismatched with

precision, draining Dawson of the

back, knowing

Dawson's aggressive behavior was

his internal energy waned yet his attacks grew fiercer, Finnian exclaimed, "This is bad! Dawson's risking his own life in desperation. This could

needle, she hit Dawson at a precise spot in his neck. A moment of clarity flashed

attempted

he could finish, he collapsed

cooling, took control and tossed Dawson back onto the bed,

a hint of

rough landing sounded

of whether Dawson was truly poisoned, Percival was clear:

at

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

"What's happening to me?"

lucid, though still confused at seeing everyone around

groggy, shook

clutched

with a desperate

sw novel.

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

Percival's face darkened visibly.

only sigh

was more trouble awake than