Melody ran.
She moved fast, cutting between the trees, and using the trunks to break the lion's sightline. For two seconds it almost looked like it was working.
Then the lion leapt through the air.
It came down on her back, both forepaws driving her into the ground, the impact forcing the air out of her in a single hard sound.
It held her there for a moment, then stepped off, as if it had simply wanted to make a point.
Lukas was already moving. He crossed the clearing at full speed, sword raised, closing the distance with everything his legs had.
The lion didn't even turn to face him. Its hind leg shot backwards and caught him full in the chest, the blow launching him across the clearing.
He hit a tree with his back and slid down it, the bark scraping through his torn shirt, spots appearing at the edges of his vision.
He sat there for a moment, breathing.
Melody had scrambled to her feet and was moving again, putting distance between herself and the lion.
