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

a business meeting yesterday, hoping to expand his network here. He seemed fine last night but was like this by morning." "I've tried everything I know in the

Finnian looked distressed.

cover this sort of situation. Standard detox methods had only

intervention, Dawson's body would

stopped asking and pulled out

to proceed, Dawson suddenly lunged

as a shield,

but was grateful it was aimed at

glared at Percival with newfound venom, his pupils shifting from

carried unfamiliar energy, mismatched with his

Dawson of the foreign

back, knowing Percival

aggressive behavior

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

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

attempted to speak, "Vivienne,

he could finish,

control and tossed Dawson back onto the bed,

was a

rough landing sounded

truly poisoned, Percival was clear: no taking

Mr. Wolf's actions, but at

cause was not poison or a hex aimed

"What's happening to me?"

because he suddenly seemed more lucid, though still confused at seeing everyone around

groggy, shook his

clutched at

with a

sw novel.