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.

"Who has Dawson been in contact with

here. He seemed fine last night but

Finnian looked distressed.

of situation. Standard detox methods had only

proper intervention, Dawson's body would soon give

pulled

to proceed, Dawson

used his powers as a shield, sending Dawson flying back

but was grateful it was aimed at him and

newfound venom,

unfamiliar energy, mismatched with

precision, draining Dawson of

and Finnian stood back, knowing Percival wouldn't

aggressive

yet his attacks grew fiercer, Finnian exclaimed, "This is

Dawson at a precise spot

attempted to

he could finish, he collapsed towards

took control and tossed Dawson back onto the bed,

a

rough landing sounded

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

Wolf's actions, but at Dawson's earlier reaction, which she had clearly

the cause was not poison

"What's happening to me?"

more lucid, though still confused at seeing everyone around him. Percival remained silent as Vivienne

groggy, shook his

suddenly clutched

with a desperate

sw novel.