The Million-Dollar Heart

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.

has Dawson been in

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

Finnian looked distressed.

expertise didn't cover this sort of situation.

Dawson's body would soon give

pulled out a

she was about to proceed, Dawson

his powers as a shield, sending Dawson flying

against him but was

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

unfamiliar energy, mismatched with his

met each attack with cold precision, draining Dawson of the foreign power without exerting

stood back, knowing Percival wouldn't cause

aggressive behavior

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

a precise spot in his neck. A moment of clarity

he attempted

he could finish,

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

a hint of

rough landing

whether Dawson was truly poisoned, Percival was clear: no taking liberties

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

Wolf, suggesting the cause was not poison or

"What's happening to me?"

though still confused at

shook

suddenly clutched at

with a desperate

sw novel.