Before Clark reached Allen, Devi managed to get to him first. He saw the young ember lion stalking toward Maria. Lit was floating in the air between them attempting to make itself larger. The tactic would scare timid beasts, but not a prideful lion.
If it had been anyone else raising the ember lion, especially Someone from the Mane family, then it would be much more reserved and wise. Many tamers knew that controlling the negative characteristics of their beasts was key. A lion had pride which needed to be held back for the best growth potential.
Unfortunately, Allen had allowed the young ember lion to grow in to a prideful sin. It didn't care for anything except the easy kill in front of it. Allen's laughter spurred it on before a sharp chilling pain came to reverberate through its neck and shoulder.