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.

asked, "Who has

expand his network here. He seemed fine last night but was like this by morning." "I've

Finnian looked distressed.

cover this sort of situation. Standard detox methods had

Dawson's body would soon give

and pulled out

she was about to proceed, Dawson suddenly lunged at

a shield, sending Dawson flying back several

setup against him but was grateful it was aimed

at Percival with newfound venom, his pupils shifting from black to

attack carried unfamiliar energy, mismatched

draining Dawson of the foreign power without exerting his

back, knowing Percival wouldn't cause

Dawson's aggressive behavior was

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

hit Dawson at a precise spot in his neck. A moment of

seeing Vivienne, he attempted

finish, he collapsed towards

cooling, took control and tossed Dawson back onto the bed, not bothering to hide his

a hint

landing sounded painfully

truly poisoned, Percival was

at Dawson's earlier reaction, which she

Mr. Wolf, suggesting the cause was not poison or a hex aimed at Vivienne

"What's happening to me?"

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

groggy, shook

suddenly clutched at

with a desperate

sw novel.