~ Axel ~ Fire.I was immune to fire, but I felt as though I wasn’t when I suddenly felt a burning within me. And this wasn’t me using any figure of speech. This was heat. Real heat. Like a truck full of burning coal or molten lava was shoved into my chest. It clawed inside my ribcage, ripping me out from my sleep, and making me wheeze out heavy breaths.I couldn’t explain why I suddenly felt this way, but I hated it. Despised it. Cursed it.Wanting to erase the feeling away, I stood up from my king-sized bed, approached a table near the balcony door that had a pitcher of water on top, and poured a glass to the brim.The water, however, only helped to relax me a little, so I stepped out of my room and into my balcony—the highest balcony known to man since my penthouse was located in the tallest building on Earth, the extended One World Trade Center.I am the dragon king and so it is only

~ Rayna ~ I avoided meeting Mr. Windstorm’s stare, choosing the neutralness of the floor as I continued to say, “I am relieved and happy you are alive then, Mr. Windstorm. I admit, I felt guilty I wasn’t able to do my job well, so let me use this opportunity to say I’m so—”“No, Ms. Chase, please, don’t say that,” he cut me off. My eyes flew back to him and saw how his brows knitted as if...as if he disliked me apologizing. “You did your job well. You were able to protect me. I’m alive, see? You’re alive, so we’re both even.”I smothered a laugh in response. We are both even indeed. But if only he knew how I dreamed about him naked, doing himself and fucking me, he probably wouldn’t say that.“Inde

~ Axel ~ Dimitri stayed outside the hospital while Gwendolyn pushed my wheelchair into the elevator with Mr. Chase. We were silent during the ride, but I noticed him glance toward me, my wheelchair and robe from time to time.He didn't comment or question me about my choice of dress or the reason I wore dark glasses so early in the morning, and that gave me relief. I didn't want to answer him, nor did I have an answer that would satisfy him.To deter the paparazzi? Sure. That was a believable alibi, but knowing this man, he'd likely suspect me of a deeper reason.Gwendolyn guarded the door while Mr. Chase and I entered Rayna's suite.We found out she was still in the bathroom, so we waited. Her mother, a sweet woman, rushed to offer me refreshment. I politely declined and reasoned that my visit would only be just brief. In truth, however, I wanted to stay reserved, discourage any small talk while waiting for their dau

~ Rayna ~ The day flew by like dinner rush in a diner. I was discharged an hour after Mr. Windstorm left and my parents and I returned to our house in Baltimore, which was about an hour of drive away.In there, I spent my time with my parents. They thought me dead for two days, after all. The least I could do was make them feel I'm still alive. I made brunch for them: vegetable lasagna, roasted lamb, and pumpkin soup, and for the refreshment, I blended raspberry and spinach to make a healthy smoothie.We ate heartily inside our porch under the sunny sky, talked about menial stuff until my father finally opened up the subject about my disappearance. I expected him to ask me about this since we left the hospital and while waiting for that to happen, I felt largely anxious. I couldn't tell him about my intimate escapade with the werewolves' alpha king. Oh no. So I formed a ready answer that mostly talked about these beasts in general.

~ Rayna ~ Said that a private helicopter would get me from BWI Marshall, an international airport near where I live, to OWTC at 0700 hours, so my father drove me to that place before dawn came.I only brought two bags with me, one for my belongings and the new company phone, and the second was some of my Sunday's best outfits and jammies. I also brought with me my favorite handgun, which my father gifted during my installment in the army. I considered it as a lucky pistol; so lucky that I forgot to bring it when I went to Hextrion. If I did, this would have turned to ashes together with my other stuff."Don't forget to update us," was what my father told me once we said our goodbyes. I naturally said yes and kissed his forehead; the same thing I did with my mother before I left the house.In the airport VIP hangar, I met with the pilot of the private helicopter. He introduced himself as Oliver, shaking my hand, and smiling b