“I’m not leaving you,” I said.

Dante looked at me, his dark eyes searching my face.

“You are,” he said. “If they get you, they get the only person who knows how to keep this horse alive.”

The headlights of the arriving cars swept across the high windows of the stable, casting long, moving bars of light across the ceiling.

The engines roared louder as they circled the building.

I looked at Vesper.

His muscles were trembling, but he didn’t look afraid.

He looked ready.

“We go together,” I said.

Dante didn’t argue.

He walked over to the tack room and grabbed a simple leather bridle.

“Make it quick,” he said, handing it to me.

My hands were shaking, but the old muscle memory took over the moment I touched the leather.

I slipped the bit into Vesper’s mouth, my fingers checking the fit behind his ears.

He didn’t resist.

He took the bit quietly, his head lowered to help me.

“Good boy,” I whispered.

Outside, the first car door slammed shut.

Then another.

The sound of heavy boots began to approach the main entrance.