Watching the prince charge into a storm of molten rock, Cole's resolve nearly crumbled.
That was the king's eldest son. If anything happened to him, Cole would have failed the white cloak he wore.
Cole summoned his courage and tried to rush out of the cave again.
But the temperature inside the cavern was rising rapidly.
Molten rock dripped across the ground. No ordinary person could get close.
Cole could only watch helplessly as the prince led the young dragon Grey Shadow up the slope, unable to get anywhere near them.
"Roar..."
At last, Cannibal landed steadily and raised his head to roar inside the lava cavern.
It seemed to declare that the hunter had passed judgment on its prey.
By then, Rhaegar and Grey Shadow had climbed the slope, edging along with their backs to the scorching stone wall.
After roaring, Cannibal turned to look at Rhaegar and Grey Shadow. A glint of amusement flashed in his enormous, bell-like green eyes.
The two little snacks were struggling to climb higher, yet they still didn't reach his chest.
To eat them, he would have to lower his head.
Cannibal twisted his neck and surveyed his surroundings, his keen sense of smell picking up the scent of humans.
He was a wild dragon with an enormous appetite.
He usually hunted large fish in the sea.
Sometimes he stole and ate dragon eggs laid by the island's she-dragon, or hunted weak young dragons.
Humans weren't on his menu.
But if they wandered into his sight, he'd eat them all the same.
Cannibal bent his knees, lowered his back, and brought his massive head close to the ground, spotting the human snacks hiding inside the cave.
His green eyes were filled with indifference. He opened his jaws and gathered strength to unleash