Chaos leaped forward!

Wind.

Lightning.

Speed. Speed. Speed.

No breath.

First time around the track.

A mile and a half like the Belmont distance. But Reardon and Masenak had agreed the distance be extended another full mile and a half to complete the race.

Chaos started the next lap!

She took a glance behind her. Nightshade was making a valiant effort, but she was already falling behind.

Almost there.

Over the finish line.

Second time around the track!

There was no doubt that Chaos had won the race. Nothing could be clearer. Lee Chan, Nightshade’s jockey, was already pulling her to a walk as she reached the grandstand.

But Sasha didn’t stop.

She could sense Chaos’s question as he realized he was running alone. Joy?

Yes, this is just for us. Bring it on. Let the lightning flash. She leaned forward. Joy!

Speed!

Together!

Let them see what you can do!

Show them what a king you are!

Joy.

Joy.

Joy.

The grandstand again.

Already?

Stop. I know it’s hard. But just for a little while. I’ll let you go again soon.

Chaos was fighting her, but he finally allowed her to pull him to a stop.

She was breathing hard with excitement herself as she turned to face Masenak and Reardon. She suddenly realized the crowd in the grandstand was silent. She had not expected that reaction. She had wanted to humiliate Reardon, to throw him into a complete rage; Alisa had said it was important. But even this crowd of idiots had recognized that the defeat was overpowering. And that last lap she had taken to rub salt in the wound had been a slap in the face of a man they knew was deadly. When she saw Reardon’s expression, it was frightening, almost demonic. Even Masenak was silent, his expression wary.

Ignore it. Don’t waste the effect. Take advantage of what she’d done. Alisa said she’d not only have to win the race but do it in such a way that Reardon wouldn’t be able to think of anything but following her to the canyon. That’s what she’d said, but Sasha knew what she’d meant was that the anger had to be so strong, he’d follow her to the gates of hell to punish her for that humiliation. Well, she’d done it. Now she only had to finish what she’d started. “I couldn’t resist letting him loose.” She lifted her chin. “You’re a complete loser, Reardon. He not only won, he wiped the floor with you. I don’t know how you’d dare come back and face any of these people.”

“You fucking bitch.” He could barely get the words out. “I’m going to cut your throat.”