Juna's landing dragged the dire wolf toward the clearing's edge while Hajin crossed above its right paw digging into earth. She slid beneath the turning head before his descent began, slashing where the lifted foreleg bared ribs beneath bloodied fur.
Red welled through the fur, but the stride barely lost its force.
"First blood!" she yelled up at his branch, already rolling clear of the returning paw.
'First blood, she says, like she's keeping score against me instead of the wolf.'
He dropped onto the shoulder while that massive head still chased her retreat.
The sword bit two fingers deep into the neck and stopped dead, jarring his wrist to the elbow.
"Fucking hell, that's not a neck, that's a wall with teeth bolted on—"
A single shrug flung him off the shoulder like a flea off a dog's back.
He hit the dirt on one knee, keeping the edge clear of his tumbling body.
