“Uncle,” I breathed, the energy in my body dissipating as I rushed to his side. He lay crumpled on the leaves and dirt, motionless but still breathing. My eyes roved his body for signs of injury—had the last man attacked when I was distracted? But I could find no wound. His breaths were strong and even, his pulse thumping beneath my touch. No. No, no, no, no, no. A rustling in the grass made me whip my neck around, but all spells fled my mind as the injured snow leopard stalked toward me and my unconscious uncle. Before I could think, the air around me tightened. My lungs constricted—burning,
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