Page 40 of Alien Dragon's Bride

Chapter 22

Levx

Hurt resonated in his heart more than his injured body as he shuffled to the elevator. But he had to see Megan, ensure that she was okay. The thought of the Tryn attacking her, harming her, made panic wrap a vice around his chest and he couldn’t draw a deep enough breath.

Levx stopped at his apartment only long enough to throw on a T-shirt, jacket, and jeans and the gauze covering his injuries. While he dressed, he called her cell. Voicemail. Shit!

Each step stole his breath but he pressed on until he was outside. Should he try her apartment first or her job or the hospital? No telling where she’d be. Most women who had received a sizable sum in their bank account would have skipped work. He’d try her apartment first and call the hospital on his way.

He hailed a taxi, something he’d never done before, but he didn’t trust himself to drive the way he felt like he might pass out.

“Where to?” the driver asked as Levx climbed inside.

He sat down with a groan. “The apartments on the lower east side near the industrial area.”

The taxi drove away from the curb and Levx fumbled with his phone to call the hospital. What was Megan’s father’s name?

“Welcome to Memorial Hospital, how may I direct your call?” the operator answered.

“Yes,” he winced as a sharp pain hit his side. “Mr. Wheeler’s room, please.”

The phone buzzed twice, then Megan’s father answered. “Hello?”

“Is Megan there? Has she come by or phoned you at all today?” He didn’t know how often she visited him but Levx guessed she at least called daily.

“Who is this?” Mr. Wheeler’s voice hardened.

“Sorry, you met me the other day, it’s Levx.” He forced his voice calm. “Has Megan stopped by today or called you? I’m worried about her and she’s not answering her phone.”

“No, I haven’t heard from her since yesterday. What’s going on?”

Before he could answer, the taxi driver cursed. “Fucking shit! Look at that traffic.”

Levx returned to his phone call. “I don’t mean to upset you, sir. I’m sure she’s fine and I’ll have her call you as soon as I reach her.”

“You’d better. Thanks for looking out for her.”

Unable to answer from his throat drying, Levx nodded, then clicked end call on the phone. Sirens blared as fire trucks raced past them.

“Look at that smoke,” the taxi driver pointed into the distance. “What do you think is on fire?”

Levx shielded his eyes to see against the glaring sun. Black and blue smoke danced up into the clouds. His heart clenched. That wasn’t human-made smoke, but Renjerian. It was thick and curled up, never faded until it was well out of human-eye sight.

Nothing much was in that direction so unless a Renjerian stumbled upon a Tryn, what reason would he or she have to use their dragon fire?

Megan!

Her cafe—the one they first met—was over there.

“New direction, head toward the smoke.” Traffic was lighter that way anyway with people avoiding the smoky area.

“You kidding me man?” The taxi driver straightened his review view mirror. “You a firefighter or something then?”

“No, but if you don’t get me there in the next five minutes, I might not be able to control my anger.” For emphasis, he let his gold eyes reflect the dragon within.

“Shit!” The man paled.

He shouldn’t have done that but he had to get to Megan. “Listen, I’m on your side, okay?” he softened his voice. “A demon is after my friend and I’m the only one that can stop it.”

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