Page 22 of Dark Fire

“We won’t know unless we find him. As I said, I’ll send out a search party. If we find this dragon, we’ll be sure to ask him.”

Tevryn chuckled. “You do that and let me know. I can hear the Medevac chopper. I’m going to accompany Delaney to the hospital. Let me know if you find out anything and when Falkor’s child enters the world.”

Ending the call with Sobek, he called Lucy, who was understandably alarmed.

“What happened?” she asked.

“She needed a minute of privacy, and then I heard her scream. By the time I got there, she was passed out. The place where I found her would have been hard for the Medevac chopper so I moved her into a better position. I can hear them approaching. I’ll be with her and will call you again when we get to the hospital, and I know more.”

“Where are you taking her?”

“I don’t know for sure yet, but my guess is a hospital in Casper. Like I said, as soon as I know anything I’ll let you know.”

“Okay, but I’m going to head to the airport so as soon as you know, I can get a ticket to wherever it is.”

Lucy ended the call without waiting for a reply. Tevryn was sure at this moment she was blaming herself for having entrusted her sister to his care. She had no way of knowing that whoever had done this to his eternal flame would be made to pay for their actions.

The medics arrived and after determining it was safe to move her, loaded Delaney and Tevryn into the chopper and lifted off, heading back to Casper. Once on the ground and with Delaney safely checked into the hospital, he called Lucy back.

“Well?”

“Their preliminary examination didn’t find anything other than a bump on her head, which is why she’s not conscious. They want her to wake up on her own and to keep her overnight. I’m going to go back to the B&B we stayed in last night to take a shower and get changed. The fastest flight here for you is at least four hours. Why don’t you wait until I have a chance to talk more with the doctors? From what they’ve said so far, I think we’ll probably be home tomorrow.”

“She’s my baby sister, Tevryn.”

“I know, Lucy. If we exchanged places, I’d want to come, too, but I really don’t think it’s necessary. I promise to call you as soon as I know more. Ask yourself this, if I was worried it was more serious, do you really think I’d leave her side?”

“You have a point. Thank you for being there, Tevryn. I shudder to think what might have happened if you hadn’t been. I’ll talk to you later.”

Tevryn ended the call, checked in with Delaney’s care providers and then headed to the B&B to grab a shower and change into clean clothes. He placed a call to Warrick in Seattle.

“I just spoke with Sobek. How is Delaney?”

“The doctors believe she hit her head when she fell. They don’t think it’s serious, but I’m heading back to the hospital. Do me a favor, and see if you can locate Whistler.”

“We’ve been monitoring him from the bugs and the tracking app you put on his phone. Do you think he had something to do with the attack on Delaney?”

“I’m not sure what I think, but I just want to know what he’s been up to.”

“I’ll see what I can find out and let you know.”

After talking with Warrick, Tevryn headed back to the hospital. On his way, he stopped and picked up food from a local place recommended by the B&B owner to take to Delaney. She would have her choice between a leafy green salad with a salmon filet or the house specialty of chicken and dumplings.

His mood lightened significantly as he pulled up to the entrance to the hospital. He could feel the link between him and Delaney. It was weak, but it was definitely there. Considering he had yet to claim her, he thought it was a good sign. As he approached the nurse’s station, one of the nurses who had been attending Delaney intercepted him.

“Mr. Whistler showed up right after you left and has had Ms. Pierce moved to a private room. He assured us he would be responsible for the cost.”

I’ll bet he did. “That was kind of him especially as Delaney got hurt doing something for him.”

Entering Delaney’s room, he moved to the side of her bed opposite Whistler and bent down to kiss her forehead.

“Mr. Whistler, you and I haven’t formally met. I’m Tevryn. I understand you had Delaney moved in here and offered to pick up the tab.”

“It seemed like the least I could do considering she is here on my behalf.” Whistler’s words were smooth, but there was an underlying tension to them. “I’m surprised you know who I am.”

“Don’t be so modest. Everyone knows Elron Whistler.”

“Tevryn is a freelance writer. He was here to do a story, and we met at the event the other night,” Delaney supplied.

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