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

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

Finnian looked distressed.

of situation. Standard detox methods had only

body would soon

asking and pulled

about to proceed, Dawson

as a shield, sending

him but was grateful

Percival with newfound venom, his pupils shifting from

attack carried unfamiliar energy, mismatched with

Dawson of the foreign power without exerting

and Finnian stood back, knowing Percival wouldn't cause Dawson real

aggressive

waned yet his attacks grew fiercer, Finnian exclaimed, "This is bad! Dawson's risking his own life

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

he attempted to speak,

could finish, he collapsed towards

expression cooling, took control and tossed Dawson back onto the

there was a

rough landing sounded painfully

truly poisoned, Percival was clear: no

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

suggesting the cause was not poison or a hex aimed

"What's happening to me?"

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

shook

suddenly clutched at

with a desperate

sw novel.

with me? Don't you know how much

Percival's face darkened visibly.

could only sigh

more trouble