“Nightshade ran a great race, but she was outclassed.” She was edging Chaos closer to the fence gate. Alisa had told her that Gilroy would make sure it was left slightly ajar so that a push would send it flying open. “She didn’t mind. She enjoys running with Chaos. Only people like you are vicious enough to punish for excellence.”

He was taking a step toward her. The anger was almost out of bounds. But he had to lose it completely. Time to take him the rest of the way.

“Neither of you deserves having fine horses.” She was almost at the fence gate. “So I believe I’ll have to take them away from you.” She nudged Chaos, and his shoulder pushed the gate open wide. “Burn in hell, you asshole!”

Then they were through the gate and on the road outside! She heard Reardon shout behind her as she kicked Chaos into a run.

Follow me, bastards. If she could get them down that canyon road and trap them, it could well be the gates of hell for them.

Nightshade?

She’ll be here. Chaos was impatient. She didn’t like the idea of bucking him off, but she must be taught.

She glanced over her shoulder and saw Nightshade ramming over the people trying to get through the gate and then streaking after them down the road. She learns faster than you’d think. Then she saw Masenak and Reardon tear through the gate and run toward the BMW 3 parked beside the front entrance of Jubaldar and forgot everything but urging every bit of speed she could get from Chaos. A mile to the turnoff, Alisa had said. A mile and they might be safer. A mile was nothing to Chaos or Nightshade.

You wanted the joy, Chaos. Now is the time to take it.

But Masenak’s BMW was very fast, too. And Sasha heard a screech as he tore out of the drive and raced after them.

*  *  *

“She’s got to be crazy,” Reardon said. “Why would the stupid bitch think she could get away? I’ll kill her. This is your fault, Masenak. I told you that you were too soft on her.”

“Stop raving,” Masenak said between his teeth. “This wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t taken that quirt to her last night. If she’s crazy, then it’s because you scared her shitless. I told you to leave her alone until after the race. And now she’s riding my Chaos and I’ll be lucky if she doesn’t break his leg on these son-of-a-bitch roads.”

“Then catch her, dammit. Step on it.” He took his gun out of his jacket. “Or I’ll put a bullet in both of you.”

*  *  *