9 deaths and 63 turns. This game is brilliant. The only thing I think this game needed is for the tutorial to be in-game. After a bit of confusion, I opened the game page and that's when I first noticed the tutorial and finally understood the game.
After a bit of experimenting, I came up with a strategy to petrify myself at the gaps leading into the central area from the bottom. Then, I lured her deep into that central area and went around the side I sealed to pass her and get the shield. I felt smart and that is exactly how a brilliant puzzle game is supposed to make me feel. I'm gonna play a few more rounds and see if I can get a better score in terms of turns and deaths.
I thought this game was great. You did a wonderful job!