Читать книгу Aztec Attack - Chris Blake - Страница 9

With a snarl, the creature burst through the bushes, pouncing on Tom in a blur of gold and black. Tom was knocked off his feet and pinned to the ground. He didn’t even have time to cry out. He closed his eyes and waited for the jaguar to finish him off.

Instead, he heard the sound of mocking laughter.

Tom’s eyes snapped open. It wasn’t a cat sitting on his chest, but an Aztec boy about his age. The boy was wearing a cloak made out of jaguar skin. His fierce-looking helmet was made from the big cat’s head.

Tom sighed with relief. He couldn’t fight a jaguar with his bare hands, but another boy was a different matter. Gathering all his strength, Tom grabbed hold of his attacker and threw him off his chest, sending them both rolling across the ground. The boy was fast and strong, however. Before Tom could pin him down, he twisted Tom’s arm up his back and pushed his face into the dirt. Pain shot through Tom’s shoulder. He cried out.

“Hey, you!” Zuma shouted. “Leave my friend alone!”

There was a loud thump, and the grip on Tom’s arm was suddenly released. Spinning round, he saw his attacker on his knees, rubbing the back of his head. Zuma had a heavy branch in her hands, and looked ready to swing it again.

The Aztec boy glared at her, anger burning in his eyes. “You will pay for daring to cross Zolin the Jaguar Warrior,” he snarled.