Entrapment (Thor's Dragon Rider #3) - Katrina Cope Page 0,12

forward for a few seconds before swinging back over the opening menacingly.

The walls of the cave rumble as the legs slowly swing wide and more rocks crumble from the inside lining, falling around us. Glowing pits resembling eyes peer over the edge of the river opening at us, the red flashing in a warning that it’s still watching us, waiting for us to try to escape.

Instantly, Elan shifts in front of me to block any threat from the monster. Her wings drape around me, leaving me to peer out from behind her front legs. The lack of pupils makes it impossible to tell who the eyes are looking at or if they can see me.

“I guess that answers our question,” I say softly.

Elan’s protective stance remains unwavering until the monster finally pulls away, taking its fiery red glare with it. The draping legs kick out and swing back into position, partially blocking the entrance to the river. Rocks clatter around us again, and I push them away with my magic, smashing them against the cave walls.

With the threatening pits gone, Elan says, We’re just going to have to wait for our chance. It's not going to be impossible, just tricky. That strange thing works like a dog watching over that hole.

“Maybe it has more brains than we give it credit for.”

Elan spreads her wings and shrugs. Who knows? I wouldn’t be surprised if it can sniff us out like a dog on the hunt.

- Chapter Seven -

* * *

In the dull light cast by the lava river, I collect the arrows scattered over the ground, dislodged when we were unceremoniously dumped in this cave. Only a few had managed to remain tucked in my quiver, ready to grasp when needed. At first, I was surprised that my weapons weren't confiscated, but my wonderment at remaining armed was abolished when I threw my sword and shot the arrow at Surt and he found my efforts laughable, incapable of injuring or harming him. Thanks to his reaction, I hadn’t bothered collecting the weapons earlier.

With the talk of escape, a new hope infuses my veins, and I set my mind to gathering my things in preparation. Clasping my sword hilt over my shoulder, I lift it, listening to the metal sing before releasing it with the satisfaction of its accessibility.

Casting one last look around the cave, I’m satisfied that I've retrieved all lost weapons, and I slump down against Elan. Heat radiates through her scales—a warmth I don’t need, yet I lean in, resting against her and soaking in her friendship and comfort. It’s a welcome relief from this depressing place.

Elan curls into a ball, wrapping her head close to my body, almost in a protective enclosure. Her golden eyes glimmer in the orange glow of the lava river, her face thoughtful. The river's golden light is mesmerizing as my mind swirls with ideas and plots to free us from this entrapment. The warmth from the lava glazes my eyes, and my body thrives in the short rest as I think things through.

I tuck a hand under one of Elan’s scales, touching the soft flesh underneath. The simple gesture brings so much comfort. I can even feel her body relaxing into my touch. The connection wipes away some of the stress of being kidnapped and taken to a foreign and dangerous realm.

Elan must be exhausted. She just recovered from the lava monster’s first attack, only to be kidnapped, her body thrown into another explosion of stress.

Hot breath shoots out of Elan’s nostrils, and she rests her head on her front feet. Let me know if you come up with any ideas on how to get out of here. My guess is that these mind games aren’t going to go away, and our only escape is planning a dash past the legs of the lava monster.

“Something tells me that you’re right, Elan. Although we can both use a little bit of rest to try to recoup energy.”

Elan’s eyelids close slowly before being jerked open. Ain't that the truth.

I wrap an arm around Elan’s front leg. “I wish we had our friends here, Valkyries and dragons. We might have more of a chance. The reality is that Thor may still be unconscious, and no one will know where we are. They may not even know that we're missing.”

She twists her head to land her sad eyes on me. I hate to say it, but with the condition Thor was in when we were taken, I