Page 42 of Alien Dragon's Bride

Chapter 23

Megan

Her lungs were on fire. Each breath burned like she was inhaling high heat in a sauna with the heat turned all the way up. She choked out a cough, her cheek pressed against the restaurant’s tile. Levx…the demon…everything came crashing back.

She crawled toward the door, pressing against it. Why would the damn thing open? It was supposed to be locked from the outside, not the inside.

“Megan!” Levx shouted her name.

At first, she recoiled then anger flared in her chest. Crazy bastard wanted more, did he? And what about those three kids…dragons…maybe the smoke was hallucinogenic or something. If he’d hurt those children, she’d rip out his balls and stuff them down his throat, demon or no.

She grunted, crawling on the ground to find the skillet she’d used as a weapon. When her fingers brushed against the handle she hauled it to her.

Maybe she wasn’t getting out of here alive, but neither was Levx ’cause she was going to take him to hell with her.

“Megan, where are you?” His voice sounded desperate like he really did care about her.

What she had wanted to say was come and get me, freak. Instead, only a squeak came out. The swinging door to the kitchen flew off its hinges and she cringed. But she pushed up on her knees, holding her cast-iron pan to crush his skull with.

He stood there looking as handsome as ever. Smoke whooshing past him like something was sucking the air out behind him. When his gaze met her, relief flooded his features.

“You’re okay,” he reached down for her, “let’s get you out—”

She struck the pan against his head with all her might. The sickening sound of a crunch echoed in the smoke-filled kitchen.

But he was still moving. Blood gushing from his head and he held up a hand. “Wha—What are you doing? It’s me, Levx.”

“I know and you’re a god-damn fucking demon.” She swung again, but this time, his hand grasped hers, stopping her. As hard as she tugged, he didn’t let go. Fuck, he was going to kill her now, she should’ve hit him harder. Panic swelled in her throat and her heart beat so fast she thought it would seize up.

His frown hardened. “I’m not a Tryn, I’m a Renjerian and I came here to save you.”

“Like I know what either of those is.” She jerked to free her wrist from his grasp, but he only held on.

“Let’s get you and your friend out of here, then we can talk once I deal with the Tryns,” he said dragging her toward the back door.

“It’s locked, it won’t open.” The sounds of hoses shooting water echoed behind them where the fire had started.

He let out a grunt. Blood coated his T-shirt. When had he gotten hurt? Or was that from the dragon triplets? Good for them.

Releasing her wrist, he smacked both palms against the metal door. It creaked and bowed outward but didn’t open. She backed up a step but there was nowhere to run. Flames still chewed up the lobby behind her. She knelt beside Alice, the older woman was still unconscious, jagged bite marks littered her flesh and were bright and puffy.

Levx hit the door again, then let out a curse. He punched it two more times until one side popped open. A heavy metal bar clanked against the concrete on the outside. Someone had bolted the door?

“Hurry. Get outside.” Levx turned to her.

“What about Alice? I can’t wake her.” Please let Alice be okay. The rise and fall of her friend’s chest, though shallow, gave her some peace.

“I’ll carry her.”

Not waiting, Megan dashed outside, coughing. Then she waited for Levx to bring out her friend. When he walked away from the firefighters, she frowned chasing after him.

“Where are you going? She needs medical attention thanks to you and your…devils.”

He kept marching down the sidewalk. “No, she needs my people’s help to fight the venom.”

Her feet stumbled a step. “Demons?” Her throat tightened at the memory of Levx transforming into a hideous creature and Alice being attacked by miniature versions of the same monsters. It was like watching a horror movie.

“We’re Renjerians not demons. Those are Tryns.”

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