Black Magic Sanction

fast, and I felt out of breath. 'And I'm not holding your stinking horse!' I added, going dizzy. 'I wouldn't ride that nag of yours if he was the last animal on earth!'

My vision wavered, and I quit talking, content to just stand there with my knees unlocked and careful to just breathe for a moment. Crap, I did not want to pass out in front of Trent.

'Yeah?' Trent said, his back to me as he brushed his horse out and put a bareback pad on him. 'Well, he wouldn't let you. He doesn't like witches.'

'I bet he would,' I muttered, feeling my heart start to slow. 'He let me in his box, okay. He's not so tough, and neither are you. You're a wimp,' I said, wanting to hurt him. 'Why do you let Stanley beat up on you like that? All you have to do is stand up to him once and he wouldn't hurt you every year.'

Trent flushed bright red, which made his hair stand out even more. Eyes fixed on his horse, he ignored me, and I knew I'd hit a sore spot. Served him right, spoiled brat. As I watched, arrogant, my hip cocked, he fumbled with the bit, needing to hold it with his other hand because of the cast. It was awkward, and the horse didn't like it, tossing his head and shifting.

Trent still hadn't said anything, and feeling bad now for the Stanley comment, I edged closer. There was no way he was going to get that bit in. 'I'll get it,' I offered softly, and his jaw clenched.

'I don't need your help,' he said, then swore when his horse backed up, tossing his head and threatening to bolt. The bit dropped, and Trent scrambled to keep his horse from running back to his stall.

I swooped forward to pick up the bit before his horse stepped on it. 'What is your problem?' I crabbed. 'I know you can set a bit. Let me do it this time. Unless you want Sta-a-a-an-le-e-e-ey to help you?' I drawled his name, making it girly.

Trent had his hand on his horse's neck, and the animal calmed, standing with a pleasant posture and ears nicely pricked—looking at me and the bit. 'You think you can do it?' he said caustically. 'Go ahead and try. Don't come crying to me if he bites your fingers off.'

I eyed Trent, half expecting him to pinch his own horse to prove I couldn't do it. I'd bridled my horse every time I went riding. This was my third year here, and though I wasn't an expert, a good horse would take a bit with no problem.

Cooing and talking to the horse to distract it, I wrangled the bit of metal between his big chomping teeth, quickly sliding the rest up and in place, but it was Trent who dipped under his horse's head to fasten the strap. He was taller than me, and I dropped back, reins dangling until Trent took them. He was fussing, making sure the mane was untangled and that the straps weren't twisted. Jeez, I did know how to bridle a horse.

I stood for a moment, not surprised he hadn't said thank you. Giving up, I took a step back. At least I wasn't dizzy anymore. 'Jasmine is so mad at me,' I said. 'I didn't know she liked you. I'm sorry.'

Trent turned to me, clearly surprised. My eyes warmed with threatening tears, and I turned away. Someone was calling my name, counselor by the sound of it. Great. They were going to write me up. Sighing, I started for the bright square of light.

'Do you want a ride?' Trent asked.

Wiping my eyes, I turned, shocked. My gaze went from him to the horse. There wasn't a saddle, just that bareback pad. 'On him?'

His attention went out of the stables as another voice called my name, loudly, with some anger. Nodding, he grabbed a handful of mane and swung himself up like he was born to it. 'If you can get up here.'

There was more than a hint of challenge, and I took a step forward, looking up at him and thinking it was a long way from the ground. 'You just want to knock me off,' I said, mistrusting him. 'Or take me out into the woods and leave me to walk in.'

Not a hint of his intent was in his placid face as he leaned down and held out his hand. 'You'll have to trust me.'

The voices were getting louder. Maybe if Jasmine found out I'd been with him, she'd know how it felt to be ditched. It was petty, but taking a breath, I fit my hand in his. I reached up with the other, and with a lean and a tug, I found myself swung up behind him.

The horse shifted, snorting, and as Trent soothed him, I clutched Trent's waist, feeling really weird. My gasp for air brought the scent of cinnamon and green things into me, and my alarm paused at a unique sensation, a twinge of something going through me. Pride, maybe, that I was on a tall horse? The hoof pick was almost falling out of his pocket, and thinking he deserved it, I yanked it free when the horse shifted, tucking it in my own pocket instead. I'd give it back once I knew he wasn't going to dump me off on the trail. It wasn't really stealing if the only reason I took it was to prove I could, right? Better than a crappy little witch, huh?

'Please don't make me regret this,' I whispered. Jasmine would never speak to me again if she found out, but I didn't care. His horse was fabulous!

'I won't if you don't,' he said, and my grip tightened as the horse started into motion.

Whoever was shouting my name was getting closer, and the horse eagerly headed for the door. 'What's his name?' I asked as we emerged blinking into the sun.

'Tulpa, but I call him Mr. T.'

I looked over the empty paddock and the fenced field beyond. Two figures were coming up the dirt road, their pace quickening when they saw us. A horse and rider stood waiting where field turned into woods. Stanley. 'You named your horse after a flower?' I questioned.

'Tulpa, not Tulip,' Trent said. 'Hold on. We have to get out of here.'

'Hey!' I shouted, grip tightening when he nudged his horse into a smooth canter. But the faster we went, the easier it was, and I found myself leaning forward into Trent. My hair was pushed behind me, and I could hardly breathe. One problem. We were heading for the fence.

'Trent?' I shouted, and he kicked his horse into a faster gait. I reached behind me, making sure the pick wasn't falling out.

'I'm taking it!' he shouted. 'Hold on!'

He was going to jump it? Heart pounding, I screwed my eyes shut and put my arms back around Trent. He wanted me to fall. I knew it! Vertigo swam up, and I felt my muscles go weak. It was too much. I knew the signs, but I held on all the tighter. Not this time. I wasn't going to pass out. Adrenaline poured into me, and the tingle of magic. Breath held, I felt a thrill down to my toes as the horse bunched beneath me. My eyes opened, and I looked.

Tulpa's feet left the earth, and he stretched forward. One with him, we leaned as well, instinct older than magic taking hold. The beating of his hooves was silenced, and the thumping of my heart was all that there was. For an instant, we flew.

Tulpa's front feet touched, and the world rushed back. The cadence of his hooves beat into me, and I shouted, letting go of Trent. It had been marvelous. Wonderful beyond belief. Exuberant, I smiled, feeling breathless and powerful all at the same time.

Trent turned, wonder in his eyes, shock almost. 'You held on.'

'Of course I did!' I said, grinning. 'Let's go!'

He took a breath to answer me, but I never found out what he was going to say. Someone was shouting our names in fear.

Trent's horse shied, spooking. My hands clutched at Trent as the horse spun. My heels went up, and I fell backward. Trent had one hand on the reins, trying to regain control and keep his horse's head up, reaching back to me with his injured hand. His fingers couldn't grip, and I screamed, feeling myself go.

I fell as the horse leapt forward. The ground slammed into me, shocking, and I stared up at the bright blue sky, now turning a beautiful, beautiful velvet black with no stars.

'Rachel!' I heard, and someone lifted my head. My eyes wouldn't work. I knew I was seeing, but I couldn't figure out what it was.

'Rachel, breathe. Oh God. I'm sorry,' Trent said. 'Just breathe. Please breathe!'

And then even my ears quit working. Starved for air, I passed out.