Another title of this chapter: Trouble Maker
***
The snow leopard moved like a released arrow the moment it found open ground.
Tony sat on its back with both hands locked around the base of its ears, leaning forward, knees pressed hard into its sides.
For a brief moment, it was actually working.
Then the Academy gates came into view— and with them, the crowd.
Servants, outer disciples, visitors waiting for entry, all stood in line.
The moment the snow leopard saw standing humans staring directly back at it, something primal fired in its brain.
It wanted out. Now…
The leopard twisted hard left, trying to break away from the gate entirely and bolt back toward the treeline. Tony's grip tightened on its ears and yanked hard— steering its head back forward like a pair of bicycle handles.
"Straight!!" he barked. "Go straight!!"
