Sasha moved down to the next prisoner in the row. Danella Cozarl. Seventeen. She was one of the lucky ones who had been spared being raped or beaten as yet, but she had watched it happen to her friends and was still terrified. Her expression was panicky as she watched Sasha dip the washcloth into the basin. “What are you doing? The guards will be angry.”

“No, they won’t.” She was gently wiping Danella’s face with the wet cloth. “I spoke to Masenak yesterday about giving you girls a chance to get clean. I’ve been doing this all day, and so far, the guards haven’t stopped me.” She dipped the cloth again and handed it to her. “But you’d probably rather do it yourself. I’ll just watch and keep an eye out to make sure there’s no interference from the guards.”

Danella slowly took the wet cloth.

And Sasha moved a little nearer the post, her gaze on the lower guardroom door through which the guards had disappeared thirty minutes ago. Natasia had done her job and distracted them twice already today when they’d unexpectedly strolled into the tent, but it would be better if she didn’t draw too much attention to herself. All Sasha needed was another moment to rub the chemical solvent on the chain linked to the post as she’d done with all the other prisoners today…

“I need a word with you, Sasha.” Masenak had thrown open the side door and was striding down the aisle toward her. “Or perhaps several words.”

He was angry. His eyes were blazing and his lips tight. Why? Had one of the guards seen her coating those links? Her heart was beating hard as she got to her knees. “What’s wrong? You said this place was stinking. It’s not these girls’ fault. I’m just trying to—

“I don’t give a damn about what you’re doing with those stupid girls.” He was towering above her. “I want to know about Chaos.” He added through set teeth, “I want to know everything, and you’re going to tell me.”

“I told you that I—”

She broke off as his fingers tangled in her hair and he jerked her head back to look into her eyes. “Tell me. This isn’t a game for me any longer. Not since Davidow took Chaos out of the pasture to the track this morning and made him run. He said his time was incredible. He’s a bloody miracle horse. But then you probably know how fast he is. None of my horses can touch him. Davidow was comparing him to Secretariat.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Where did you get him?”

She didn’t answer.

“Tell me.” He kicked Danella in the ribs. “Or I’ll call the guards to come and play with this little girl until you do. Don’t make me do that.”