Read Online Entwined by Lynda La Plante - Free Book Online

the arena, lifting the flap aside, and stood for a moment before he began to thread his way through the seats.
    Ruda bellowed: "Down…R-OHja, down…Jajajadown!"
    Tigers are instinctive fighters; the crossing of each other's body territory was very dangerous, accompanied by snarls and teeth-baring. But one by one they lay down side by side, until all sixteen tigers formed a wondrous carpet. Twice Ruda reprimanded two females for having a go at each other by banging the flat of her hand on the top rung of the ladder.
    Those watching were uneasy now, aware of the danger. If a tiger accidentally knocked over the ladder by brushing too close, they could all attack.
    More and more performers had slipped into the arena. But Ruda saw nothing, no one, her attention was riveted on the carpet of cats. Satisfied they were in place, she lifted both arms above her head, never stopping talking to them. Then she issued the command: "UPO…UPAHHHHHHHH."
    Sixteen tigers rose—all in almost perfect formation—then lowered their heads. It was a magnificent sight—as the glorious carpet of gold and black stripes lifted magically into the air.
    Ruda called out again, made it onto the top rung of the ladder and then flung herself forward, facedown, to lie spread-eagled across the cats. They began to move, carrying her around in a terrifying wheel. She then dropped to her feet, arms above her head, at the center of the seething mass. She flicked Roja with her stick and he broke the circle and spread wide at a run; the others followed, spreading wider, running around her as she gave a low bow. She held the bow for three long beats, then turned back toward the tigers who formed two lines facing her. Her voice cut through the air, high pitched, and up they reared to sit on their hindquarters. They clawed the air, Helga and Roja in a snarling match; Ruda pushed Helga aside and flicked her hand at Roja, stepping back. Facing them, she spread her arms wide, giving a small signal to Sasha, one of her females, leading the second section of the lineup.
    They were ready, and she gave the command. "HUP… HUPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP."
    From their squatting position they all reared up to stand on their hind legs. Their growls and swiping paws denoted their displeasure. They were perfectly poised to attack—for tigers always attack from the front, never the rear. Shouting, she urged them back into a chorus line…
    Grimaldi wanted to weep. She was spectacular. Even at the zenith of his career he had never attained such perfection. Her face shone, her eyes were brilliant in the spotlight, as though risking her life was an exhilaration. Her radiance humbled him and, drunk as he was, he bowed his head, trying to steady himself on the seat in front of him. The seats had not been battened down yet; the chair was loose and it fell forward, and Luis came down with it onto the second row of seats. The bang was as loud as a shot.
    Ruda turned and saw him, and at the same time Sasha and Roja lost concentration, coming down onto all fours. Ruda gave the command to move out, and signaled for the watchers to get the trapdoor open—fast. One of the boys hurried to Grimaldi's side and helped him to his feet.
    Ruda turned all her attention on Roja, dominated him, knowing that if he went into the tunnel the others would follow. As he hesitated she never took her eyes off him, then he wheeled around to head back down the tunnel. After a moment, the others followed him out. Ruda clamped down the trapdoor, shouting for Mike to hold the rest of the act.
    She moved like a cat, but she didn't go for Grimaldi; instead she went for the boy who had helped him to his feet and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.
    "What the fuck do you think you're doing? You watch out for me. Were this place to go up like an inferno, you watch out for me!" She swiped him with the back of her hand, so hard that he fell to his knees.
    Still ignoring Grimaldi, Ruda turned to the watcher to her left, and