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.

she asked, "Who has Dawson been in contact with

here. He seemed fine last night but was like this by morning."

Finnian looked distressed.

cover this sort of situation. Standard

intervention, Dawson's body would soon give

pulled out a silver

about to

as a

him but

spitting blood, glared at Percival with newfound venom, his pupils shifting from black

energy, mismatched

cold precision, draining Dawson of the foreign power

Finnian stood back, knowing

aggressive behavior

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

needle, she hit Dawson at a precise spot in

he attempted to speak,

he could finish, he collapsed towards

took control and tossed Dawson back onto the bed, not bothering

a hint

rough landing sounded painfully

poisoned, Percival was clear:

at Dawson's earlier reaction, which she had

reacted upon sensing Mr. Wolf, suggesting the cause was not poison or a hex

"What's happening to me?"

the bad energy within Dawson because he suddenly seemed more lucid, though still confused at seeing everyone around him. Percival

groggy, shook his

clutched

a desperate

sw novel.

with me? Don't you know how

Percival's face darkened visibly.

could only

more trouble awake than