“Oh, Miss Barnes, the cats will be so happy to hear that you know them. Come, come…” He motioned for her to join him in the ring. Was he really suggesting she go into the ring with a lion and a panther?

“Yes,” he said, answering her thought. “I am suggesting it. Move your ass, Miss Barnes.”

Lara got up from the velvet throne and stepped gingerly into the ring. The lion noticed her first and walked over to her, like it was sizing her up. Gripped with fear, Lara stood still until the animal paced around her, finally stopping in front of her. Lara reminded herself that in all likelihood this cat was no taller than her shin, but damn, the lion looked real.

“I assure you,” said Althacazur, considering his fingernails. “He’s a house cat. A tiny little thing.” As if on command, the lion roared loudly, causing Lara to scream.

“Hercules,” commanded Althacazur. “Up.” The lion jumped onto a pedestal and sat watching the ringmaster for further commands. “Dante.” The man turned and raised his arms; the sleek black cat stood up on his hind legs. Althacazur patted the cat on the head as he walked past. “Go to Miss Barnes,” he commanded.

Lara could hear his front paws as they landed heavily on the wooden floor. Like Hercules before him, the cat circled Lara before sitting in front of her like a dog. He was so large that in the sitting position, his head was near her throat.

“Don’t give him ideas. Just give him a treat.”

Lara looked confused.

Althacazur sighed, bored.

She could see that his amber eyes with flat pupils stood out vividly. Was that eyeliner? Thick black eyeliner.

“In your pocket, Miss Barnes.”

Lara reached into her pocket and pulled out a Pounce cat treat.

“Give it to him, Miss Barnes. Before he gets pissed. Tell him he’s a good boy.”

Lara extended a shaking hand out to the cat. He turned his head to remove the treat gently with his tongue.

From the pedestal above her, the lion roared loudly.

“I know, I know,” said Althacazur. “But you haven’t done anything for Miss Barnes to earn a treat, have you, Hercules? You lazy animal.”

The lion jumped to the floor and lay in front of Lara like the Sphinx. As if he was waiting for a dramatic point in the routine, he executed a perfect roll. Lara reached into her pocket to find another treat. She held out her hand, and the lion, who now stood before her, took it gently.

“Snap your fingers, Miss Barnes.”