Untamed by Nora Roberts Page B

forward, keeping her arms raised. Merlin followed, walking on his hind legs. He spread seven feet into the air and towered over his trainer. “They might have a sense of affection for you, but there’s no fear and little respect. Unfortunately, this often happens if a cat’s been with a trainer a long time. They don’t become more docile the longer they’re in an act, but they become more dangerous. They test you constantly. The trick is to make them believe you’re indestructible.”
    She brought Merlin down, and he gave another yawn before she sent him back to his seat. “If one swipes at you, you have to stop it then and there, because they try again and again, getting closer each time. Usually, if a trainer’s hurt in the cage, it’s because he’s made a mistake. The cats are quick to spot them; sometimes they let them pass, sometimes they don’t. This one’s given me a good smack on the shoulder now and again. He’s kept his claws retracted, but there’s always the possibility that one time he’ll forget he’s just playing. Any questions?”
    â€œHundreds,” Gerry answered, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “I just can’t focus on one right now.”
    Jo chuckled and again scratched Merlin’s head when he roared. “They’ll come to you later. It’s hard to absorb anything the first time, but it’ll come back to you when you’re relaxed again. All right, you know the cue. Make him sit up.”
    â€œMe?”
    Jo stepped to the side, giving Merlin a clear view of her student. “You can be as scared as you like,” she said easily. “Just don’t let it show in your voice. Watch his eyes.”
    Gerry rubbed his palm on the thighs of his jeans, then lifted it as he had seen Jo do hundreds of times. “Up,” he told the cat in a passably firm voice.
    Merlin studied him a moment, then looked at Jo. This, his eyes told her clearly, was an amateur and beneath his notice. Carefully, Jo kept her face expressionless. “He’s testing you,” she told Gerry. “He’s an old hand and a bit harder to bluff. Be firm and use his name this time.”
    Gerry took a deep breath and repeated the hand signal.
    â€œUp, Merlin.”
    Merlin glanced back at him, then stared with measuring, amber eyes. “Again,” Jo instructed and heard Gerry swallow audibly. “Put some authority into your voice. He thinks you’re a pushover.”
    â€œUp, Merlin!” Gerry repeated, annoyed enough by Jo’s description to put some dominance into his voice. Though his reluctance was obvious, Merlin obeyed. “He did it,” Gerry whispered on a long, shaky breath. “He really did it.”
    â€œVery good,” Jo said, pleased with both the lion and her student. “Now bring him down.” When this was accomplished, Jo had him bring Merlin from the seat. “Here.” She handed Gerry the whip. “Use the stock to scratch his head. He likes it best just behind the ear.” She felt the faint tremble in his hand as he took the whip, but he held it steady, even as Merlin closed his eyes and roared.
    Because he had performed well, Jo afforded Merlin the liberty of rubbing against her legs before she called for Buck to let him out. The rattle of the bars was the cat’s cue to exit, and like a trouper, he took it with his head held high. “You did very well,” she told Gerry when they were alone in the cage.
    â€œIt was great.” He handed her back the whip, the stock damp from his sweaty palms. “It was just great. When can I do it again?”
    Jo smiled and patted his shoulder. “Soon,” she promised. “Just remember the things I’ve told you and come to me when you remember all those questions.”
    â€œOkay, thanks, Jo.” He stepped through the safety cage. “Thanks a lot. I want to go tell the