“There are ways to keep him from doing that.” She was frowning thoughtfully. “But you should really be able to go into his stall yourself to have access to them when we need them.” She shrugged. “I’ll work on it. We won’t get them until tomorrow anyway. I’m certain by that time I’ll figure out a way to make you and Chaos more compatible.” She opened the door and slipped out into the courtyard. “Good night. Be safe.” The door swung shut behind her.

Gilroy stared after her for an instant; then his gaze shifted to Chaos, who had raised his large head and was now staring balefully at him. He gave a low curse. More compatible?

Joking, right?

Chapter 13

Chapter
13

Next Day
6:05 P.M.

Are you hurt?” Masenak was glaring down at Sasha on the ground as she slowly and painfully raised herself on her elbow before sitting up. “You’d better not be hurt. You let that horse toss you into the dirt, bitch. Where’s all that skill I heard about before I raided that damn school?”

“You said you wanted to see me on Chaos’s back today.” She got to her feet and swayed a moment to get her balance. “I obeyed you. I just didn’t stay on him for very long. I tried to tell you that was the way it was going to be. I’m no magician, I’m just good with horses. That was the second time he bucked me off today. Maybe tomorrow I’ll be able to stay on him a little longer.”

“There’s no time for that bullshit. Reardon is going to be here in another two days, and I won’t be humiliated by having him watch my jockey dumped in the dirt.” He turned on his heel. “You’re running out of maybes, Sasha. Tomorrow I’m going to Skype Reardon and he’s going to see you on Chaos, and you’re going to look professional, not like a schoolgirl who has no idea what she’s doing. If you please me, I might not start shooting your horses.”

She watched him walk away before she turned and started to limp toward Chaos.

“He didn’t really hurt you, did he?” Davidow asked from where he was leaning against the fence. “I didn’t think Masenak had anything to worry about. You know how to fall, and Chaos didn’t try to savage you either time he tossed you today. It surprised me. You did a hell of a lot better than that Berber kid who couldn’t get near him.”

“I’m okay,” she said curtly as she took Chaos’s reins and started to lead him back toward the stable. “Masenak just doesn’t understand Chaos and what’s possible and not possible with him. You might tell him that Chaos is doing very well…considering.”