The cold night air did little to soothe the terror creeping through the remaining guards.
Pantheress's voice carried a playful lilt, a cruel mockery of innocence that made the hair on their arms stand on end. The way she spoke—like this was all just a game—made her all the more terrifying.
One guard stood frozen in place, too paralyzed to even breathe properly. His partner, however, reacted on instinct. His body jerked into motion, and without a word, he turned and sprinted deeper into the community.
"Help!" he shouted, desperation coating his voice. "Somebody—!"
He barely made it ten feet.
Pantheress's smirk widened as she eased down onto all fours, her feline frame shifting into an unmistakable predatory stance. Her front lowered, her rear raised, the muscles in her long, toned legs tensing in preparation. Her tail flicked side to side with barely contained excitement.
Then—her pupils dilated, her ears flattened, and she moved.
She pounced.
**FWUMP!**
