Entrapment (Thor's Dragon Rider #3) - Katrina Cope Page 0,4

top of the cave. I could do it in an invisible form, but you don’t have your cloak, so that kind of defeats the purpose. The monster is undoubtedly taking its job seriously.

“I still don't understand why we’re here.”

Elan sits on her haunches then lowers onto her stomach. Me either.

Dizziness washes over me, and the arrows in my quiver rattle as I sit, leaning against Elan and taking comfort in the scales poking into my side. She rests her head on her front talons, and I gaze up at the hole only to find the disturbing red eyes constantly glowering down at us.

Frustrated by being watched continuously, I yell, “Why are we here?”

The lava monster remains unmoving, the unblinking eyes staring at us.

I ask again, “Why have you brought us here?”

Met with silence, I groan. “Where even is here? Where are we?” I glower when no answer is given.

After a few moments of silence, the lava monster straightens then turns, and the ground and cave shake as something large blocks the large hole above.

I cringe. “Please tell me it didn’t just block the hole with its butt.”

Elan cranes her neck, staring at the sealed opening, the scales above her eyes bunching together. Her mouth turns down at the corners. It appears so. I just hope it doesn't have to go to the toilet anytime soon.

I shudder. “That’s so gross. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the only thing coming out of that is lava. Perhaps we should move to the side.”

We do so, and I press against the hard, rocky wall. Within moments, the heat radiating from the rocks has become too much, and I pull away quickly, the arrows in my quiver rattling. Everything seems to have additional warmth in this land, like an internal heat that radiates to the surface, causing everything to burn.

Splashes sound from the lava river, and I retreat into a dark corner as some kind of monster wades through the scorching lava river, thumping its way past the cave entrance.

- Chapter Three -

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The darkness enveloping me causes the hairs on my body to stand on end. The shadows bring with them an eerie sensation as I sink farther back into their embrace, watching the four-legged monster trudge through the lava. Hard dark plating similar to the lava monster’s exterior resembles black rocks covering the creature’s body. That layer looks like the scales of a dragon but lacks their beautiful colors and finesse. Whatever the thing is, it seems to hold off the molten river's searing heat, leaving the monster unaffected.

The lava bends like thick mud around the long legs of the creature as it trudges downstream through the river. The rigid plates around its mouth pull back, exposing a threatening display of teeth. It appears to be enjoying the river's scorching heat, trudging farther and swishing its head from side to side. Throwing its head back, it lets out a roar, opening a mouth filled with burning red magma. Long black spikes trail down its back, along the spine on an animal similar to a hound, except for the burning red eyes peering our direction. Its enormous legs trudge forward, its short tail dipping its tip in the melted river.

The creature sways our way, and my hands instinctively reach for my bow and nock an arrow. Gazing down the shaft, I wonder if it would do any damage at all if I hit the creature.

The doglike creature's tail finally passes the entrance, and I breathe out a sigh of relief. This whole realm, black and glowing with red, seems dangerous and uninviting. I long for the tall marble pillars and stony mountains of Asgard. Despite not being as green and welcoming as Midgard, they are still beautiful to me. Even the lack of Thor's playful taunting fills me with homesickness.

My gaze remains fixed to the last spot the four-legged monster was visible as I pack my bow and arrow away. “What do you think they want from us, Elan?” Briefly, I gaze up at the blocked hole, where the lava monster remains. “Why do you think they captured us?”

Elan steps away from the wall. I have no idea. And if they were just after you, why did they capture me? Don't they think that I will put up a fight to protect you?

I smirk. “Don't they think I'll put up a fight to protect you?”

She lowers her head to my height, and I grab her horn, tugging at it playfully.

Releasing her horn,