“Of course, sir.” Davidow’s accent was British and his smile polite but forced. “We’ve been out here since three. As I told you, it’s a problem dealing with that stallion. Chaos is on the track and waiting for—”

You’re here. It is good. You should not have left us.

Zeus!

She whirled toward the white Arabian stallion in the stall they were passing as she caught the thought. Memories and affection suddenly flowed through her as she saw this old friend of her childhood. Zeus had been one of the first horses Zeppo had bought for her and her father when she’d joined his act.

I know I shouldn’t have done it, Zeus. I couldn’t help it. Stop staring at me like that. I know you don’t like this place. I can feel it. But I’m here now and I’ll take care of everything.

“Sasha!” Masenak said sharply.

“I’ll be right there,” she said over her shoulder as she moved toward Zeus. “I just ran across an old friend.” She was standing before Zeus and rubbing his muzzle.

Zeus closed his eyes with pleasure, but he was still disapproving. You’re going to Chaos. You should stay here with me. He’s angry and will probably break you as he did that boy yesterday.

He won’t break me.

He almost broke you before. He was angrier than the rest of us when you left us this time. He’s young and doesn’t understand that breaking you would make you leave him forever.

Then I’ll have to make him understand. She gave him a final pat. Stop worrying. We’ll all be together soon. She started back toward Masenak. I’ll see you later.

Zeus was not convinced. He’ll break you.

“You kept me waiting,” Masenak said harshly as she reached them. “If I hadn’t been curious, I have taken my quirt to both you and that horse.”

“I don’t doubt it. But you already figured out I’ve had these horses for a long time. You should have realized I’d feel a certain amount of affection for them. That was Zeus, one of the first horses I ever rode.” She looked back at the stallion, who was still gazing at her worriedly. “Nothing for you to be curious about in that.”

“I was just curious to see your interaction.”

“And you saw nothing in the least mystic about it.” She met his gaze. “Did you? Not a hint of a horse whisper. Just me and a horse I’ve cared about since I was a little girl.” She turned to Davidow. “What about you? You’re a trainer. You must know what you’re doing, or he wouldn’t have hired you. Do you believe all this bullshit Masenak is spinning?”