Tomorrows Sphinx

As a rare black cheetah, Kichebo's color has always created problems. She was only reluctantly accepted by her kin when she was a cub and later, it was almost impossible for her to hunt without the camouflage of a cheetah's usual coloring. What's more, she is singled out for pursuit by humans in helicopters. Her one benefit is a heightened power of mental communication. While all of her species are telepaths, she can go back in time and enter the mind of Asu-Kheknemt, a favorite cheetah of young pharoah Tutankhamen. Although Kheknemt can sometimes share his thoughts with Tut, he is unable to prevent Tut's assassination. Kichebo uses that knowledge of human beings to protect an infant, the survivor of a car crash, whom she has adopted. Bell slowly weaves her exotic subjects into a tantalizing tapestry. However, a too-neat conclusion may be a letdown for readers who might expect a really grand finale to an unusual book. (12-up)