I gasped. That changed things completely.
Chapter 5
“I appreciate you letting me know,” I told Kel as I scrambled to understand fully the implications of this news. A member of the fae dark court working with a trainer known for his nefarious tricks. One of them on their own meant trouble. Working together? Perhaps Flora could tell me more. Except, that’d mean revealing that I knew of her associations to the Fae Queen’s court. Even though I sensed her powers, and she sensed mine, politeness dictated we not blurt out what we know.
She glanced from me to Forti, then said a hasty good bye and left.
“I wasn’t going to kill the messenger for bringing me bad news,” I replied. “Though this does put a spin on things. And with Rota calling you, I have to wonder if the fae are playing at things they shouldn’t. We know how they like shiny things and there’s so much in this world that qualifies.”
Forti sighed. “I wouldn’t be surprised. They’ve been quiet for centuries. Maybe like some of the gods they got tired of not being worshipped and given gifts, so they decided to come out and play. It’s not like the fact that magic has entered the world once more wouldn’t be like swirling a bit of chum in the water.”
I bit back the string of curses springing to my lips. Callan liked fast cars, fast lovers, and even faster horses—in that order. Where Flora had the classic dark hair, fair skin look of the court, he shared them, but added a dash of sexy brooding. We’d had a thing once, a while ago while Forti was off working with the other goddesses, and though she knew, I hated myself for the weakness I’d shown around him.
“I can ask around. See if any of my contacts know. I’m supposed to report to Rota soon; I can give this as a reason for delay. The other goddesses don’t trust the fae any more than we do.”
“And it all circles back to an unscrupulous trainer and drugs that can’t be tested.” I released a growl of frustration. “And somehow we ended up with bad luck. I don’t suppose we’re being punished because you haven’t shown up yet.”
“No. They won’t do that. Not this time.” Forti stood. “Why don’t you come into the house. We can worry about this in the morning. I’m going to send some messages and then I think I’m going to call it a night.”
“That sounds like a good plan.” I made a few notes on the desk blotter and watched my lover leave. Then, I turned back to the computer. I tried not to deal with too many deities. I did, however, have some contacts in the racing industry. I sent off a few emails, not mentioning my botched drug test, then once more went over the receipts. I planned on calling the feed store in the morning. Something just didn’t add up.
Returning from a completely unhelpful visit to the feed store, where the owner said he had no idea how I could have had a positive test if my lot number didn’t match and then proceeded to tell me that I must be faulty, not him, all while one of Dean’s guys came in to order feed and overhear the conversation, I wasn’t surprised to see Flora’s Lexus SUV parked in my driveway when I’d arrived home. I found her supervising the placement of the new horses, looking completely out of place in her high heeled designer boots. At least she wore jeans and a t-shirt, though both had labels I didn’t recognize.
“Ettie. You’re here. Kel was doing a marvelous job taking care of my babies.”
Kel threw me a look over Flora’s shoulder when she turned away.
I winked at her, and with a gesture sent her to the track to watch the training and report back to me in case Betsy needed anything.
“You’re early,” I peered in the stalls to make sure everything was up to Flora’s standards. Thankfully, I’d taught my staff well because the deep bedding and mangers full of hay announced their hard work. I turned back to her.
“Wanted to get my horses settled.” She wrinkled her nose as if a sunk had wandered down the aisle. “Do you know who is in Kendall’s barn now? Callan Deermane.” She spat the words. “Ugh. I hate him and his high priced nags. He puts so much stock in some bloodlines. I swear. It was as if he’d had some kind of hand in creating the stallion lines, and we both know that can’t possibly be true.” She stared at me, as if daring me to reveal not only my goddess nature, but also that I tweaked things here and there.
“I’ll agree, I’m not fond of him.” I replied to diffuse the situation.
“That’s putting it mildly. But now that he’s got Dean on the payroll, he’s strutting his stuff. Said he’s coming to the east coast to claim it too. I can’t even…” For a moment I feared she might fall into a fit, but instead, shook herself and breathed deeply. “I get too worked up about him. He’s so… so…”
“Exactly,” I answered. “So if you’re going to be moving from Kendall’s barn, then where are you going to keep the rest of your string?” Changing the topic to business might help me. If I knew where someone of her magical stature kept horses, perhaps I could get a handle on the parameters of this war. Because I knew war had been declared. Callan’s arrival announced it clear as day to anyone who might be in the know. A dark fae showing up at the same tracks, in the same barn as Flora meant his words about claiming the east coast rang truer than anyone knew.
I listened to her talk about her other barn in Virginia, one that she ran herself. She kept a trainer on the payroll just for her, and I
