Defiant Captive Page 41

  Rajah thought of the five balls of fur hidden even now in the hollow trunk of a gnarled tree on the other side of the valley. Not even the mistress knew of them yet, for the young ones were too tiny to be brought out for her cossetting. She had her own small honey-haired creature to worry about, anyway. Later, he would present his young to her.

  Yes, there was much for him to do in this valley, Rajah thought contentedly. All humans needed guarding, of course, and guarding them was no more than a mongoose's duty. Especially this pair, he decided, his long tail twitching, for they were the most unpredictable humans he had ever encountered.

  Not that a mongoose could ever predict what a human would do next.

  Still, it was fine to hear his mistress laugh again. The tall man was good for her, just as Rajah had foreseen. Her masterful mate would soothe the pain from her eyes, while Rajah kept them and their young one safe from the dark death that coiled among the grasses.

  Yes, Rajah thought, it was a challenge that suited him very well, and one that his children would also accept in their time.

  After a final glance at the shadowed figures below the canopied linden, the little mongoose turned and jumped down from his comfortable perch. Curiosity was upon him once more.

  In truth, how could he rest?

  There were vipers to be conquered, after all, and a new world just waiting to be explored.

  * * *

  Published by Dell Publishing

  a division of Bantam Doubleday

  Dell Publishing Group, Inc.

  1540 Broadway

  New York, New York 10036

  If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as "unsold and destroyed" to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this "stripped book."

  Author photo © by Bill Morris Studio

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law.

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  ISBN: 0-440-20626-X

  Printed in the United States of America

  Published simultaneously in Canada

  June 1990

  10 9 8 7

  OPM

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