I looked over the empty paddock and the fenced field beyond. Two figures were coming up the dirt road, their pace quickening when they saw us. A horse and rider stood waiting where field turned into woods. Stanley. “You named your horse after a flower?” I questioned.

“Tulpa, not Tulip,” Trent said. “Hold on. We have to get out of here.”

“Hey!” I shouted, grip tightening when he nudged his horse into a smooth canter. But the faster we went, the easier it was, and I found myself leaning forward into Trent. My hair was pushed behind me, and I could hardly breathe. One problem. We were heading for the fence.

“Trent?” I shouted, and he kicked his horse into a faster gait. I reached behind me, making sure the pick wasn’t falling out.

“I’m taking it!” he shouted. “Hold on!”

He was going to jump it? Heart pounding, I screwed my eyes shut and put my arms back around Trent. He wanted me to fall. I knew it! Vertigo swam up, and I felt my muscles go weak. It was too much. I knew the signs, but I held on all the tighter. Not this time. I wasn’t going to pass out. Adrenaline poured into me, and the tingle of magic. Breath held, I felt a thrill down to my toes as the horse bunched beneath me. My eyes opened, and I looked.

Tulpa’s feet left the earth, and he stretched forward. One with him, we leaned as well, instinct older than magic taking hold. The beating of his hooves was silenced, and the thumping of my heart was all that there was. For an instant, we flew.

Tulpa’s front feet touched, and the world rushed back. The cadence of his hooves beat into me, and I shouted, letting go of Trent. It had been marvelous. Wonderful beyond belief. Exuberant, I smiled, feeling breathless and powerful all at the same time.

Trent turned, wonder in his eyes, shock almost. “You held on.”

“Of course I did!” I said, grinning. “Let’s go!”

He took a breath to answer me, but I never found out what he was going to say. Someone was shouting our names in fear.

Trent’s horse shied, spooking. My hands clutched at Trent as the horse spun. My heels went up, and I fell backward. Trent had one hand on the reins, trying to regain control and keep his horse’s head up, reaching back to me with his injured hand. His fingers couldn’t grip, and I screamed, feeling myself go.

I fell as the horse leapt forward. The ground slammed into me, shocking, and I stared up at the bright blue sky, now turning a beautiful, beautiful velvet black with no stars.

“Rachel!” I heard, and someone lifted my head. My eyes wouldn’t work. I knew I was seeing, but I couldn’t figure out what it was.