Entrapment (Thor's Dragon Rider #3) - Katrina Cope Page 0,32

is as lovely as I remember it, if not more so. You're stuck in the land of the fire giants?

“Yes. We need help to get out of here.”

What about Thor? I hear you’re serving under him now.

“Thor was rendered unconscious by the lava monster that kidnapped us. He tried to stop it, but it overcame him. He's only one god. I don't know if he’s still unconscious or awake. I don’t think Ratatoskr has passed on my message.”

I haven't had the best communication success with that little rodent. Her voice fills with distrust. He delivers what he wants to.

“I’ve only known him for a little while, and I’m starting to think that too. Although if what he says is true, Odin has banished me. That means I’m out of luck, trying to get help from Odin.”

Why did he banish you? Was it because... Wait. Don't bother. I can ask you later. I'm guessing you have no one else to contact. That’s why you’ve tried me.

“Yes. Are you able to come help us?” I ask, almost pleading.

I’ll see what I can do.

The connection wavers, and I fret she's going to break communication before I’ve finished.

Quickly, I call out, “Wait! Don't you come.” I pause, waiting to see if she’s gone.

Why? Confusion laces her voice.

I blurt out, “Surt kidnapped me because he wants to find you.”

Find me? Her voice is alarmingly seductive and beautiful yet full of surprise.

“Yes. It's something to do with him wanting you to be his wife.”

Her chuckle is priceless, filled with a deep sensuality bubbling from the depths of her abdomen. When she finally regains composure, she says, That's delirious but also not good news. Leave it with me, and I’ll see what I can do. I won't come unless I have to. The bond in my head severs, leaving me feeling empty, with a blank open space.

I gaze at Elan, feeling slightly more relaxed.

What was that? Elan's voice fills the space in my head.

“She contacted me.” I refrain from using Freya’s name, just in case the lava monster can hear me.

Elan executes a little happy dance with her front talons. That's great news! So what took so long?

“She said she had trouble because the connection was all hazy and she had to push through some barrier. Perhaps Muspelheim is out of reach from where she usually communicates.”

Is she going to help?

“She's working on it. Hopefully, that means she’ll organize someone else to come and get us—more than one person, I hope. I don't know who she knows besides her army of angels of death. I doubt they'll come—they hate Valkyries. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

- Chapter Sixteen -

* * *

The wait for a rescue party drags on. With each passing minute, the creeping tentacles of worry wrap around me, squeezing every particle of optimism from my pores. Maybe the rescue party can’t make it. It probably hasn’t been as long as I think, but again, telling time in Muspelheim is proving difficult. I miss the sun rising and setting or even the sky changing from darkness to light.

My worry and restlessness make me want to pace, but resisting the urge is essential in case it leads the lava monster to think something is amiss. I don't know who to expect. I hope Freya keeps her promise and doesn't come personally because that would expose her to the danger of being spotted by Surt. Not only do I not want that, but she’s also my only hope for us being rescued.

My impatience nibbles at me, calling me to rub my thumb over the charm again. If I do it, finding out what's happening might ease my mind. Still, I resist the urge. Giving in could hinder the whole process and affect the outcome.

Instead, I take deep breaths to calm my nerves and mantra myself into thinking everything will be okay. The positivity is hard to retain as I stare out at the monster's dangling legs, partially blocking the way to the river.

As though picking up on my thoughts and restlessness, Elan angles her face toward me, her outline softened by affection. Get some sleep, little one.

I chortle. “What are you, my mother?”

She chuckles, turning her soft eyes on me. In this instance, I think I should be. You’re tired, Kara. You need to get some sleep.

Worry creases my brow, and I fix my eyes on the glowing lava.

Elan insists, Go on. Worrying won’t help. It’ll only make you more exhausted and unable to function