Dead of Night by Lynn Viehl

Author:Lynn Viehl
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: young adult, teen fiction, fiction, teen, teen fiction, teenager, fantasy, urban fantasy, vampire
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
Published: 2012-05-15T04:00:00+00:00

Twelve

Trick arrived home from his job hunting just as Dr. Marks finished examining Rika, and after getting a brief explanation from me spoke to the vet.

“She has some minor bruising, but the foal wasn’t injured, and I don’t think we’re looking at an early delivery.” He came out of the pen and nodded toward the barn. “She caused a lot of damage in there. I’d like to know what got her that agitated.”

What he meant was, he wanted to know what Gray and I had done to her. I would have told him my theory, but I wasn’t sure he’d believe me.

“It was my fault, sir,” Gray said. “My sister and I were working in the barn, and I shouted at Cat.”

Dr. Marks actually chuckled. “Horses don’t care for people yelling at them or around them, but I don’t think Rika would bat an eyelash over it. Old Man Hargraves did nothing but yell at his horses.”

“I didn’t buy her from Mr. Hargraves,” Trick said.

“Not directly, you didn’t,” the vet agreed. “When Old Julian got sick he boarded out his horses; when he passed away his estate manager let the stable owners make offers. Doug Palmer bought her, and was probably planning to use her as a brood mare, but after he lost his stallions he gave up, sold out and moved back up north.”

“Sir, what happened to Mr. Palmer’s stallions?” I asked.

The vet’s expression darkened. “Some lunatic drifter got into his barn one night and used a knife on them. By the time Doug went out the next morning, five had bled to death. The other two died a day later.”

The thought of someone killing horses just for fun made me want to throw up. “Was Rika hurt?”

Dr. Marks shook his head. “Whoever did it wasn’t interested in the mares.” He looked at Gray. “You might want to search the stalls and see if there are any snakes hiding in the bedding. That might be what caused this. Oh, and wear protective gloves in case you run into a coral snake or a pygmy rattler.”

Trick walked the vet back out to his car while I helped Gray clean up the last of the mess in the barn.

“She really did a number on this.” He sorted out a couple boards that were still mostly intact. “There’s not enough left to even cobble it back together.”

“We can take the door off the birthing stall,” I said. “It’s the same size. I’m sorry I got in your face before and made you yell. You’re right, I don’t always think things through, and I should.”

“I wasn’t exactly using my intellect.” He dumped the wood into the barrow. “Man. I never saw a horse go ballistic like that.”

Trick came back in, stomping mad. “Nice work, you two. Tell me why I shouldn’t ground you both until New Year’s.”

“Um, you can’t do everything by yourself,” I pointed out. “Sali and Flash would miss us terribly. Also, it’s almost Christmas, and we’re really sorry.”

After I nudged him Gray said, “Yeah.

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