Chaos

by Iris Johansen

  “You kept me waiting,” Masenak said harshly as she reached them. “If I hadn’t been curious, I have taken my quirt to both you and that horse.”

  “I don’t doubt it. But you already figured out I’ve had these horses for a long time. You should have realized I’d feel a certain amount of affection for them. That was Zeus, one of the first horses I ever rode.” She looked back at the stallion, who was still gazing at her worriedly. “Nothing for you to be curious about in that.”

  “I was just curious to see your interaction.”

  “And you saw nothing in the least mystic about it.” She met his gaze. “Did you? Not a hint of a horse whisper. Just me and a horse I’ve cared about since I was a little girl.” She turned to Davidow. “What about you? You’re a trainer. You must know what you’re doing, or he wouldn’t have hired you. Do you believe all this bullshit Masenak is spinning?”

  “I wouldn’t disagree with him. Let’s say, I believe in results, and I’ve never seen any results that would reflect any kind of psychic connection between man and beast. Certainly none between woman and beast.” Davidow’s mocking smile had a touch of malice. “But I’m willing to be convinced. Actually, eager. I lost another stable boy yesterday when he was trying to put a saddle on Chaos. He ended up with two broken legs. But Masenak wants this horse tamed, and I’ll try anything to give him what he wants.” He gestured for her to precede him. “It’s entirely on his head…and yours. Chaos is waiting.”

  * * *

  The racetrack itself was impressive, Sasha thought. It could have held its own with Churchill Downs, Santa Anita, Ascot, Meydan in Dubai, or any of the other racetracks she’d seen in the books Alisa had bought Sasha for her library. Everything pristine and clean and beautifully built. The grandstand didn’t have the capacity of those other tracks, but the seats were far more luxuriously crafted.

  “Admit it.” Masenak’s gaze was on her face. “It’s bloody wonderful.”

  “Why ask me? My opinion shouldn’t matter. I don’t know much about racetracks.” She was climbing to sit on the top rung of the fence dividing the track from the grandstand. “I’ve always been more interested in the horses.” She took another look around. “I guess it’s okay. The art-deco-style furnishings in the grandstand look a little ornate.”

  He stiffened. “You know nothing about—”

  “There he is,” Davidow interrupted to gesture down the track. “I left two stablemen to keep an eye on him and make sure he didn’t go wild again and hurt himself trying to break down the barricades.” He smiled crookedly. “I don’t know why. If anything did happen, there’s no way they could get near enough to help him unless they shot him with a sedative.”

  “Magnificent,” Masenak murmured, his gaze on the black. “Not the usual thoroughbred. But look at his lines…”

  She was looking at them. She had always thought he was the most beautiful horse she had ever seen. Tall, proud, splendid. The slightly bony knobs on that wonderful head, the graceful arch of his back, the shining black of his coat. The spirit…That fantastic spirit. Nisean. Pure Nisean. She tried to keep her expression noncommittal. She mustn’t let Masenak see that she cared about him. Every emotion was a weapon in his hands.

  But she was afraid she might have revealed something. He was gazing at her too intently. “Don’t you want to go say hello to him as you did Zeus, Sasha?”

  “Why should I? I didn’t know Chaos as well as I did Zeus.” Chaos would know soon enough that she was here. They’d always been able to sense each other. Right now she only wanted to examine the way he was standing, the tension in his muscles. There had been times when she could read his next moves, almost what he was thinking, by the energy stored in his shoulders. Today that tension was explosive.

  He’s going to break you.

  Chaos suddenly lifted his head.

  He’d recognized her scent. He knew she was there.

  She found herself tensing, too.

  “Go see him,” Masenak said softly. “Now, Sasha.”

  “If you like.” She slipped off the fence onto the track. Chaos was turning toward her. She could sense the tension growing in him. “You want another victim, Masenak?”

  “No. I want a success. I’ve had nothing but failure lately, and it’s got to stop. But if you can’t give it to me, then I’ll take the victims instead. Two victims. You’re no good to me if you can’t do your job. Chaos is no good to me if he can’t be ridden. If you don’t produce, you’ll get a taste of the failure I’ve been suffering…right before I put a bullet in Chaos’s head.” His voice was low, almost a hiss as he added, “And then it will be your turn, Sasha. I told you everything was going to be different. I’m out of patience. Show me that either one of you is worth keeping.”

  If she’d had any hope that she might be able to persuade Masenak that she would be of no value working with Chaos, it was gone in that instant. His anger and humiliation had gone too deep. She would give him what he wanted, or he would kill both her and Chaos. “I’ll try,” she said quietly. “It might take longer than you’d like. Remember, if you lose that patience, you’re only hurting yourself. Give us a chance.” She didn’t wait for an answer but focused her attention back on Chaos. She could sense his tension growing stronger. And the anger, so much anger. She was surprised that the stallion hadn’t made a move yet.

  Hello, Chaos, what are you waiting for? All that ugliness stored inside you wanting to burst free. Why don’t you do it? Is it because you know you’re wrong, and I’m your friend?

  Not friend. Stupid word. I told you so before. Means nothing. I am alone. I have no need of you. And I am never wrong.

  Not a stupid word. And I have need of you.

  You left me. You didn’t come back. The anger was rising out of control. You said you’d come back.

  I’m here now.

  Too late! He was streaking toward her.

  She dodged to the left, but his hip caught her shoulder and sent her spinning. Then before she could catch her balance he had whirled and rushed her again. This time he knocked her to the ground.

  He was rearing above her!

  She rolled to the side, but her ponytail was caught beneath that iron hoof.

  He reared again!

  But by that time she was scrambling away from him and crawling desperately for the fence. She’d barely reached it and started climbing when he rammed into her from behind.

  Pain.

  She clutched the rungs of the fence, bracing herself for another onslaught.

  But he’d whirled away again and was running down the track.

  Sasha quickly managed to climb to the top rung before he turned around.

  But Chaos wasn’t running toward her again, she realized. He was standing still, head lifted. I could have crushed you like I did that young boy the other day. You used to be much quicker.

  You didn’t kill the boy. You only broke him a little. And you didn’t kill me. You know you could have savaged me instead of bruising me. You must think I’m a little worthwhile. Maybe “friend” isn’t such a stupid word.

  You left me. I didn’t want you to leave me.

  I was taken. By the same men who brought you here.

  Then we should crush them for doing it. They are fools. I was going to stomp on all of them anyway.

  Chaos was nothing if not direct and simplistic, Sasha thought wryly. But not right now. Do you believe me?

  I might…if you don’t go away again.

  Only if I’m taken.

  Then do not be taken. Stomp on them.

  I’ll keep that it in mind. Since I’m not as good at stomping as you, it would be easier if we find ways to do it that don’t involve stomping. Right now we need to make these fools think we’re beaten. Be careful and use courtesy and respect at this point. Chaos was only partially reconciled and accepting. Will you permit me to ride you? I won’t use a saddle this time.

  He hesitated and then slowly walked over to the fence toward her. What next?r />
  She slipped off the fence and onto his back. We run. Very hard. Very fast. He wants to see how wonderful you are, and we won’t mind it as long as you’re in control. She bent her head, winding her hands in his mane. Will we? Let the lightning strike. Let the wind blow. We’ll be ahead of all of it, my dear, dear friend. Ready? Her palm slapped his haunch. Let’s go!

  Chaos leaped forward!

  Lightning.

  Wind.

  Dizzying speed.

  Stretching out.

  More speed.

  Together.

  More speed.

  The wind was stinging her cheeks now.

  How long had they been running?

  Probably far beyond the race distance limit. She should try to slow him down. She didn’t want Masenak to be aware of too much about Chaos’s capabilities.

  Slow. Enough.

  But Chaos wouldn’t go slower. He was fighting her. When they were together, he wasn’t accustomed to having her try to rein him in. It was all joy and speed and what they were together.

  Her grip on his mane tightened, pulled hard.

  He didn’t slow.

  And she was beginning to become anxious. Chaos was very excited and if she tried to pull him over when he reached Masenak and Davidow, he might attack them. Stomping was very much on his mind right now.

  Please. It’s time to stop. Things aren’t what they seem. Next time. I promise. She repeated over and over. Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop.

  At first he ignored her, but then his stride broke. He was gradually slowing. But not happy about it, she thought ruefully. Very mean-tempered. Too bad. At least she might make it through this without getting either one of them shot.

  Masenak and Davidow were right ahead of her on the track, but she knew she wasn’t going to be able to stop Chaos. Just slow him down a little more and that should be enough…

  She swung her legs so that she was riding sidesaddle for the last yards. Concentrate. It was only a simple circus trick she had performed thousands of times before. As she was passing Masenak she kept her grip on Chaos’s mane, timed the flying dismount, and then made her jump to the ground, careful to keep her knees bent to absorb the shock.

  Yes.

  Chaos streaked past the two men without trying to savage either one. She had made the jump and not ended with her face in the dirt. Not a bad outcome. If she could get Chaos to stop running, it would be perfect.

  Worry about it later.

  She staggered a little but quickly regained her balance. She whirled to face Masenak. “Satisfied? Is that what you wanted?” She was barely aware of him or anything else around her. She was breathing hard. She could feel the heat in her cheeks. She was almost as excited as Chaos. All she wanted was to jump back on him and ride and ride and ride…

  Masenak’s face was strangely pale as he took a step toward her. “Shut up.” He glanced at Davidow. “You got the time?”

  “Of course I got the time,” Davidow said hoarsely as he held up the stopwatch. “Two minutes nineteen seconds on the first time around the track. I stopped checking after that. I told you that he was a wonder. You didn’t seem to believe me.”

  “I wanted it too much.” His gaze returned to Sasha. “No, I’m not satisfied. If you can do that just hanging on that nag’s mane, you can do a hell of a lot better if you spend time training him.”

  “No, I couldn’t. What you saw was all Chaos. I had nothing to do with it. He can’t be broken, and you try to put a jockey on him and he’ll either refuse to run or find a way to kill his rider.” She glanced at Davidow. “As he almost did with that stable boy.”

  “But he didn’t kill you today,” Davidow said. “Though I thought for a minute he might.” He was gazing at the dirt on her riding pants, her shirt that was ripped halfway down her back, her hair that was completely out of the ponytail and hanging about her face. “I imagine you must have, too. However, Masenak seems to have solved that problem.”

  “Until I try to do something Chaos doesn’t want me to do,” Sasha said dryly. “You saw what he did to me. I was lucky today.”

  “I prefer to think that it’s skill instead of luck,” Masenak said. “Anyone could see that you were reaching that devil horse somehow.” He smiled. “And that’s what you’ll continue to do.” His eyes were suddenly glittering recklessly. “I can’t wait to call Reardon and see if I can increase our bet. I believe I’ll introduce you to him on Skype. Particularly since you look very much the worse for wear and the farthest thing from a skilled jockey. Reardon is usually overconfident, and it won’t hurt to feed that fault if I can do it carefully.” He took out his phone and was punching quickly. “Hello, Reardon.” He reached out and yanked Sasha to him to appear on the screen. She was suddenly confronting a compact, fortyish man with wide-set hazel eyes whose salt-and-pepper hair was slightly receding. “You look surprised, Reardon. It’s such a beautiful morning, and my new horse I told you about has had such a great workout that I thought I’d share it with you. I hope your Nightshade is in equally good shape?”

  “Fantastic,” Reardon said absently, his gaze on Sasha. “Who’s the girl?”

  “My new jockey. My horse, Chaos, is a bit unruly and gave Sasha a bad time. But he’ll still beat your Nightshade. I was wondering if you’d want to double the bet we made last week.” He paused. “Unless you’re afraid you’ll lose your shirt.”

  Reardon was silent, his gaze narrowed. “Nightshade is faster than she was last year. Why should I be afraid of racing her against a horse no one has ever heard about? You’re sounding ridiculously cocky. I’m just wondering if your latest disaster has you in such financial straits that you’re getting desperate to recoup.” He paused. “You do know that if you lose this bet, I’ll send my most efficient and lethal men to retrieve my money?”

  “I’d expect nothing else of you. You agree to double it?”

  “Oh, yes. I can afford it, even if you can’t.” He glanced at Sasha. “As long as you throw in the mystery horse and the jockey. Is she as young as she looks?”

  “Fifteen. Not as young as you like them, but you’d find her entertaining. It’s like you to try to screw me in all ways possible. But if you’ll agree to give me Nightshade when I win, I’ll agree. It’s a deal?”

  “It’s a deal. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.” Reardon cut the connection.

  “I’ve got him.” Masenak’s eyes were almost shimmering with excitement in his pale face. “All these years he’s been lording it over me and telling me what to do as if I wasn’t his equal. I’m going to take the arrogant son of a bitch to the cleaners.”

  “Providing she can make Chaos do what you need him to do,” Davidow said. “You’ll forgive me if I’m still skeptical.”

  “She’ll do what I tell her. I know our Sasha. It will only take a few adjustments to make her come to heel.”

  Alisa. He threatened to call on Alisa to make those adjustments was Sasha’s first thought. “You’d have to discuss those adjustments with Chaos. I keep telling you that it’s not up to me.”

  “I don’t have the time to argue with you at the moment,” he said harshly. “Neither do you. I’ll find a more permanent fix after the race, but in the meantime you’re going to spend every waking moment for the next two weeks with Chaos. You’ll train him, you’ll gentle him; when you say run, he’ll fly like Pegasus. If I don’t see progress, I’ll find ways to encourage you. You have other horses in my stables that I don’t value as much as Chaos. You seemed fond of Zeus…” He was reading her expression. “That frightened you. Don’t you want to rush and start working with Chaos right away? Yes, I can see you do.”

  No choice. Not now. She turned to Davidow. “If Masenak wants me to train him, I don’t want you or any of the stable help to get near him. That obviously wasn’t a success. I’ll take care of him.”

  “I’m not going to object. I’m short of help now anyway and I don’t want to lose any more.” Davidow’s lips twisted sardonically. “I assume you’re t
he one who’s going to catch that devil and get him back to the stable?”

  She nodded. “It will take me a little while to quiet him. Then I can start trying to persuade him that he doesn’t want to stomp on everyone in sight.” She glanced at Masenak. “It would help if you’d keep out of view. I believe he has a particular dislike for you. I wouldn’t mind if he stomped on you, but he might like it too much and get overexcited.” She started down the track to where the horse had finally come to a halt. “And we all want what’s best for Chaos, don’t we?”

  Chapter

  11

  Atlas Mountains

  Korgan and Alisa had been on the road for more than four hours the next day when Korgan got a call. He glanced at the ID. “Vogel.” He punched ACCEPT and put it on speaker. “Hold on. If it’s important, I have to find a place to pull over so that I can talk to you. Some of these curves are hairpins. The higher we go, the rougher the roads.”

  “I’ll wait. I believe Alisa would think it’s important.”

  Alisa’s fingers clenched. Sasha. It had to be about Sasha. “Important” could mean anything. Bad. Good. Death. Life. “Find a place, Korgan,” she said through set teeth. “Right away.”

  “I’m looking,” he said quietly. “Give me a minute.”

  But it seemed more like an hour to her before he found a layby along that treacherous road where he could pull off and say, “Go ahead, Vogel.”

  “I’m sending you a photo. We intercepted a Skype communication between Reardon and Masenak at nine seventeen this morning. We managed to get the entire message, but I thought you’d want to see the photo first.”

  She heard the ping and saw Korgan accessing the photo. He glanced at it and then said, “Good judgment call.” He handed Alisa his phone. “I think you’ll agree.”

  Sasha. Dirty. Torn shirt. Hair loose about her face.

  But Sasha alive, her eyes staring out at the camera with all the boldness and intensity with which Alisa was so familiar.

  Korgan said softly, “Nine seventeen this morning, Alisa.”

  “Yes.” Her eyes were stinging, and she had to swallow to ease the tightness of her throat. “I’ve been so afraid, Korgan. All those nice, encouraging reports Vogel gave you could have been bullshit. I didn’t know. Masenak could have killed her anywhere along the way.”