Asprin, Robert Lynn – Catwoman – Tiger Hunt (With Lynn Abbey)

“We haven’t seen Selina since her sis—since Sister Magdalene left,” Sister Theresa corrected herself quickly. “I don’t think they parted on . . .” She paused, choosing her words carefully. The stories about Sister Magdalene and her sister, Selina, were long, complex, and seldom told. “. . . in good faith with each other. I don’t think Selina’s even in the city anymore. And I don’t think any good would come from getting her and Rose in the same room.”

A murmur of agreement rippled through the black-robed flock that Mother Joseph squelched immediately. “I would like to know why Rose was frightened by a cat. And I’d like to invite Selina—to see if she’ll come. Maybe she won’t, and maybe nothing will happen if she does. But I want to see for myself. An unreasoning fear of cats has become much more widespread in Gotham City of late.”

Chapter Five

The gray tiger kitten watched the box-thing follow him into the hiding room. At first it was very high, then it was level on the floor. Then it changed shape, and wonders began to erupt from it—an amazement of smells, sights, and sounds tumbling across the cold, hard floor. Curiosity seized him. It pulled him out of the safe place beneath the big hollow where water sometimes was and sometimes wasn’t. Ears and tail twitching, stubby legs bunched beneath him, the kitten homed in on a fuzzy, wiggly, stringy thing. Wanting it more than anything else—needing it right now—he pounced.

“Gotcha!”

Hands descended without warning, pinching the skin above his shoulders, then raising him to dizzying heights.