Sylvia's curiosity slowed us down, and we lagged behind the group. At dusk, as we turned back, a pride of lions burst from the trees, their eyes glowing green.
Adrian fired arrows, dropping several, but his quiver ran dry. Sylvia sobbed, "It's my fault! I skimped on arrows to save money. Are we gonna die?"
Adrian glanced at her trembling in his arms, then at me. "Isabella, hold them off. I'll take Sylvia for help."
He galloped off, leaving me alone. I laughed, hollow. My heart was dead, and so was the pain.
The lions closed in, their breath hot and foul. I spurred my horse, racing through the dark forest until I hit a cliff. No way forward, lions behind.
One chance left. I closed my eyes and jumped.
Pain woke me in a crude hut, lying on a straw mat. A thin man brought me medicine. "Y
