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.

to Finnian, she asked, "Who has Dawson been

night but was like this by morning." "I've tried everything I know in the last hour, but his

Finnian looked distressed.

didn't cover this sort of situation. Standard

intervention, Dawson's body would soon

stopped asking and pulled out

to

used his powers as a shield, sending Dawson flying

suspected some sort of setup against him but was grateful it

Percival with newfound venom, his pupils shifting from black

attack carried unfamiliar energy,

each attack with cold precision, draining Dawson of

Finnian stood back, knowing Percival wouldn't cause

aggressive behavior was

"This is bad! Dawson's risking his own life in desperation. This could be

Dawson at a precise

attempted to speak, "Vivienne,

could finish, he

Dawson back onto

there was a hint of

rough landing sounded painfully

was truly poisoned, Percival was clear: no taking liberties

frowned, not at Mr. Wolf's actions, but at

cause was not poison

"What's happening to me?"

energy within Dawson because he suddenly seemed more lucid, though still confused at seeing

shook

clutched at

with a

sw novel.

with me? Don't

Percival's face darkened visibly.

could only sigh

was more trouble awake