Chapter 6

Jared bent and plopped the meat through on its tray. Sultan’s whiskers quivered forward and he licked his mouth with an audible slurp. When Jared had the food door closed again, he spoke once more. “Release.”

Sultan rose and was on the meat in a second. His rough tongue sandpapered over the flesh and bits of skin came off. His teeth broke through the bones and ribs and his four-inch-long claws clutched the meat in a crushing grip.

“He’s not exactly wolfing it down,” David observed.

“He usually doesn’t. He’s never had to fight for food so he takes his time.”

Sultan rumbled, not exactly a growl but a thick sound of both warning and contentment.

“Is he purring?” David asked. He kept his distance from the fence, eyes wide.

“No, the great cats don’t purr. Lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards and jaguars can all roar, but they don’t really purr. He’s just saying ‘thanks’”.

“Or he could be saying, ‘get away from my dinner.’”