Charissa scowled. She hadn’t wanted Travis to leave with The Bitch. He should’ve dumped her, in public and then come running back to her. Would he take her back to the ranch? Back into his house and into his bed?

  With a sickening flip of her heart, she pictured The Bitch and Travis in bed together, twisting and writhing through a lust-filled night.

  ****

  Charissa spent an agonizing night in the barn with Adonis. Unable to sleep in the same house as Travis’ new love interest, she’d stayed up all night lamenting her loss to the horse. Even Boggens had tried to console her, but she’d ignored his attempts to cheer her up. To add to her troubles, Rici had gone missing.

  Hearing voices coming toward the barn, she gave a quick nod of her head to clean her hair and zap into new clothes. She made shooing motions to Boggens who understood her gesture and disappeared in a small pop of noise. Travis’ voice rang out above the other two muted ones. She plastered a fake smile on her face and prepared to meet the love of her life and the love of his. But who would the third person be?

  “Good morning, Travis.” She marched out of Adonis’ stall and straight into the trio she’d heard talking. A myriad of unwanted emotions whipped through her as she took in Travis, his hand clasped in The Bitch’s hand, and Rici, in his true form. “Oh, you’ve brought company.”

  The beaming grin on Travis’ face tore a hole in her heart. He’s happy and acting like a man who’d spent a night in his lover’s arms. Charissa lifted her chin, determined to fight her growing sense of loss. She wouldn’t give up yet.

  “Yeah, sort of. I mean you know him, right? He says he’s your assistant. Although you didn’t mention any assistant when I hired you.”

  Her assistant? Charissa narrowed her eyes at her brother and pounded him with unspoken questions. My assistant? I don’t think so. And where have you been? After the trick you pulled, I’m surprised you have the nerve to show your face around me. “My assistant?”

  “Rici.” Rici bared his teeth at her. “She’s so silly. Sometimes she pretends she’s forgotten my name.” Easy, Charissa. I’m tired of morphing into mice and possessing horses. You’ve had your time to play with humans, not it’s my turn. Rici’s eyes glinted with a fervor she’d never seen. Isn’t she gorgeous? He glanced at The Bitch a moment. Sister, I think I’m in love with her. Can you believe it?

  Uh, no. I can’t. Charissa snorted and tried to pretend she’d sneezed when Travis and The Bitch noticed it. “Sorry. Allergies. Excuse me.”

  The Bitch’s lips quivered as she attempted a smile and failed. Taking Travis’ arm, she shifted to put her face next to his. “I don’t mean to interrupt business, but I’m so embarrassed, Travis. I don’t think I can ever face anyone again.”

  Travis leaned closer to her—way too close for Charissa’s comfort—and patted her arm. “Terey, I’ve told you. Everyone loses it every once in a while. No one at the party is going to criticize you. And Charissa wasn’t even at the party so there’s no need acting shy around her. Besides, you don’t do shy very well.”

  The Bitch managed a soft smile. A smile just for Travis. Charissa fisted her hands and tossed her thoughts to Rici. You want her? You can have her. Anything to get her away from Travis.

  But Rici didn’t respond right away. And when he did, he sent her a question she’d never have expected. You’re thinking about pushing her into the Love emotion for me, aren’t you?

  I am. It would solve both our problems.

  Rici appeared to think about her offer. No, Charissa. Don’t.

  Why the haellus not?

  Remember when you said you wanted to win Travis’ heart without pushing him? I want the same from her.

  “Terey, don’t worry about last night. It’s forgotten.”

  “But I’ve never acted so horribly before. I don’t know what got into me.”

  At her last words, Rici’s eyes opened wide and then narrowed them at Charissa. You did something to her last night, didn’t you? What was it, Charissa? Tell me.

  I just gave her a little push of Greed. She had an amazing reaction. I loved every minute of it, too. And it’s nothing she didn’t deserve since she’s messing with my man. She winked at her brother before turning her scowl back onto The Bitch. Shat. She’s using the Pity emotion to control Travis. Can’t you see what an evil person she is?

  Charissa, you shouldn’t have pushed her. You’ve gone too far. If she wants Travis, then I hope she gets him. He widened a wicked grin at her. Oh, wait. I think she’s has.

  Travis and The Bitch, obliviously to the telepathic communication between the siblings, continued to talk to each other about last night. Travis consoled the woman as much as he could, ratcheting the burn inside Charissa’s chest to a full fledged bonfire.

  Charissa’s anger flared to life and this time she didn’t try to squelch it or toss it outside her body. You asshole! You’re taking her side over mine? Why I should—

  Rici stepped in front of Charissa and locked his stormy gaze onto hers. You should what? I dare you to try something around me. I’ll protect her, you know. So go on, try it.

  You’d take her side over mine? When she doesn’t even know you exist? I love Travis and he’s mine. She can’t have him.

  “Ah, Travis, you’re the best big brother a girl ever had.” The Bitch hugged Travis to her and turned to the others. “Oh, shoot. I’m sorry. Here my protective big brother and I’ve gone on, yakking our heads off as if you two weren’t standing right here. I’m so sorry.”

  What did she say?

  Rici and Charissa gaped at each after asking the same question.

  “Did you say Travis is your brother?” Charissa held her breath and waited for the answer. She sent a quick prayer skyward and waited for The Bitch—uh, Terey—to confirm what she hoped she’d heard.

  Terey pulled Travis’ hat down over his eyes and he flipped it back up. “That’s right. This lummox of a man is my older brother.

  The warm rush of sweet relief washed through Charissa. She’s his sister! “And what a lovely sister he has.” Putting herself between Travis and Terey, she wrapped one arm around Terey and the other around Travis. “I can not tell you how nice it is to meet you.” She squeezed them both in her delight. “Really, really I can’t.”

  Rici was thrilled as well and used the close moment to sidle up to Terey. The Matlantians trapped her between them for a moment until Rici reached around to pry Charissa’s arm away from his love interest. Charissa took the hint and pulled Travis away from his sister. “Oh, Travis, I meant to tell you. I made some progress with Adonis, although he’s not quite ready to breed.”

  Travis noted the watchful and amused men around them, and pointed them out to Charissa with a dart of his eyes. Sliding out of her hold, his demeanor transformed into an all-business mode. “You’ve got until tomorrow to make good on your promises. After that, we’ve run out of time.” With an irritated glance at his sister, he turned to leave.

  Charissa gave him a playful salute. “Yes, sir. You can count on me, sir.”

  “This isn’t a joke, lady. I’ve got lots riding on him.”

  Okay, back to the plan. First, I’ll get Travis in bed and then I’ll get the horse back on track. First, she needed to make sure Rici didn’t mess around with her plan and, after the incident with Adonis, she knew she couldn’t trust him. When she saw Rici start to smack a kiss on an squirming Terey, she decided on her next course of action. Whether Rici liked it or not.

  “Charissa, are you coming?”

  At Travis’ call, she swiveled just long enough to hold up a finger in an “I’ll be there in a second” gesture and whipped her head back to Terey. Without hesitating, she made up her mind and nodded. Terey, hearing someone behind her call her name, spun on her heel as Charissa’s Love push hit her. Unfortunately, Rici chose the exact moment to bend over to peer at something near the side of the barn. The Love emotion zipped into Terey as she waved to Jim.

  Shat! In a dozen millenniums she’d never missed. Charissa noted the sappy expression on Terey’s face as she grinned at Travis’ friend and corrected her thought. She hadn’t missed her target. Terey had been her target and she’d hit her dead on. But Rici’s sudden move had taken him out of Terey’s line of view and, thus, out of line for her impending love target. Jim showing up at the worst possible moment had blown her push all to haellus and back.

  “Jim! You’re here.”

  Jim stopped, a curious expression flashing across his face, as Terey ran and threw her arms around him. “Uh, hi, Terey.”

  She hugged him to her, placing a loud smack of a kiss on his cheek. “Jim, I’m so glad to see you. I thought about you every day and night while I was at college. But now that I’m home, I’m never leaving your side again.”

  Jim got a shrug from Travis as he searched for answers. Rici, however, guessed the answer and whirled to confront Charissa with icy daggers in his eyes.

  “Charissa?”

  She did the only thing she could do. She lied. “Yes, Rici?”

  “What did you do?” As if I don’t know already what you did. You pushed her, didn’t you? The question is…did you push her on me? Or on this cowboy?

  Me? Would I do such a thing?

  You bet your sweet a—

  I’m not saying I did, but if I had, can I help it if you moved and let her place her Love on Jim instead of on you? But I didn’t push her so you can’t blame me for this unwelcome development. She tried to appear indignant at Rici’s accusation. Why did you bend over anyway? You acted as though you’d seen something. Charissa hoped her change of subject would work.

  I thought I saw something next to the hay. Something like a dirt faery.

  Much as she’d hoped, Rici’s mind focused on what he’d seen. And as long as it wasn’t Boggens, she didn’t care. Don’t be stupid, Rici. There aren’t any dirt faeries on Earth any longer. You probably saw a big rat. Having spent time as a mouse, I’d think you could recognize one.

  Ha, ha, Charissa. Back to making pitiful jokes? But Rici couldn’t keep his attention on Charissa. Not with Terey hanging onto Jim and pawing all over him.

  Although Jim didn’t fight her off, he tried to make sense of her sudden attraction for him. “Not that I’m complaining, mind you, Terey. But you’ve never in all the years we’ve known each other, ever, uh, acted like this. Are you okay?”

  Terey tossed her golden locks in a perfect catch-his-eye maneuver. “Oh, you’re so funny, Jim. I can’t believe you’re not already snatched up by some female. You aren’t? Are you?”

  When she glanced at Charissa in question, Charissa held up her hands and waved her question away. “No, no. I barely know the man.”

  Like you barely know Travis. Rici’s usual imperious manner doubled as he seethed under the blaze of Terey’s affection for Jim. I know you pushed her, Charissa, and two can play at that game.

  Before Charissa could do anything to stop him, Rici snapped his fingers. She felt the rush of energy as it zapped out of Rici and into Jim and Terey. The entwined couple froze as the Hate push entered them.

  Shoving him backwards, Terey got away from Jim, disgust evident in every gesture. Jim, however, didn’t mind the loss of Terey’s love. Instead, he stalked over to stand next to Rici. “What the hell is wrong with her? Shit, one minute I can’t keep her off me and the next, she’s shooting me with an evil eye.”

  Rici, pleased with his push, simply shook his head. “Beats me. You know how fickle women can be.”

  “Ain’t that the truth?”

  Terey’s nostrils flared as she marched over to poke a finger into Jim’s chest. “Fickle? I’m not the one who used to chase me around the ranch and try to kiss me. And now you’re acting like the biggest turd ever.”

  Jim rubbed his chest and wheeled around to head toward the back of the barn. “Damn, woman, I’m not going to stand around and let you prod me like a pig.”

  Terey, intent on having her say, followed right behind him. “Pig is right. You’re a sexist pig and you’re as dumb as one, too.”

  “I’m no pig and, besides, I’ve heard they’re pretty smart. Smart enough not to throw a fit after losing a few dollars at a charity event.”

  “You creep, you!”

  The feuding couple neared the tack room, sending bemused cowhands scurrying out the first available exit like rats deserting a sinking ship. Travis, Charissa, and Rici followed Jim and Terey.

  “Sis, stop acting this way. You’ve known Jim all your life. You know he’s a good guy.” Travis stepped in between the couple and tried to keep them apart. “What’s got into you two?”

  “Let them fight, Travis.” Rici chuckled as Terey kicked Jim in the shins. “This is getting good!”

  Charissa knew that gleam in her brother’s eyes. He was entranced in watching the fight. Hopefully, mesmerized enough to not notice when she set her plan in action.

  The argument continued, but Charissa paid no attention as she searched the surrounding area for Boggens. As she’d instructed, he was nearby and ready to put her plan into action. Good, Boggens. Get ready.

  The huge orange eyes blinked at her as his little body shivered. Boggens is ready!

  Charissa ran her hands through her hair and tugged her tight shirt down to show more cleavage. Secure that she looked as good as she felt, she moved to Travis and pulled him out from between the quarreling couple. “Travis, come with me. I think I have a way to stop them.”

  His eyes, blurred over by his confusion and weariness of trying to calm the combatants down, whipped her way. Blowing out his pent-up frustration, he followed her into the tack room. “I hope to hell you do. I’m about to lock them both away in separate stalls until they calm down.

  “Trust me, I do.”

  As Travis walked past her, she twisted around to see Boggens stick his pointy nose around the frame of the door. She mouthed the word “Now” and moved closer to Travis. The door slammed shut with a resounding wham and Travis jerked around to check out the noise. He stomped over to the door and reached for the knob.

  Charissa nodded and watched as Travis tugged on the door. But the door, firmly closed by her spell, didn’t budge an inch.

  “Damn it. What now?”

  She suppressed a pleased smile and faked concern. “Won’t it open?”

  “No. I can’t get it to move.” Waves of aggravation flowed off Travis as he turned to her and told her what she already knew. “We’re trapped.”

  Chapter Ten

  Rici started to follow Terey and Jim as the couple pushed and shoved their way out of the barn. Until, that is, he noticed Charissa’s and Travis’ absence. Knowing his sister well, he stopped in his tracks, did a one-eighty turn and started searching for her.

  “Charissa!” He scanned the breezeway and peeked into the stalls as he headed to the rear of the building and the closed tack room door. Hadn’t the door been open? With only the horses to make any noise and all the hired hands gone, he could sense something was different.

  Pausing, he closed his eyes and sought out his sister with his mind. Charissa? Where are you? When no response came, however, he again scanned the area for clues. Either she didn’t want to answer him or she couldn’t. Rici knew the former was the more likely scenario. Where could she have gone? His gaze fell on the closed door again and knew the answer. Somehow his tricky sister had gotten Travis into the tack room with her.

  A sniff of his surroundings brought more information he’d missed when his mind was on Charissa’s absence. He and the horses were not alone in the barn. Something else was here with them. Something hiding behind the stack of supply boxes against the wall. Taking an indirect route by pretending to check on the horses near him, Rici strolled over to the boxes and sat down on the top one.

  “Well, I guess I’ll have to wait for Charissa to come out. I wouldn’t want to disturb her.” Trying to act as though he didn’t have a care in the world, he leaned back on the heels of his hands and whistled an old Matlantian folksong. After a minute of whistling, he stretched his arms above his head in a fake yawn, then whipped around to snag the round, smelly animal crouching behind the box.

  “Ah, ha!” Rici dragged the animal out and held him up in front of his face. “By all the Elders! A dirt faery. And Charissa didn’t think your kind existed any longer.”

  “Eek!” The faery twisted and jerked in Rici’s grip, his huge eyes wide and frightened.

  “Who are you? And what are you doing here?” Rici gave the wiggling fellow a shake for good measure.

  “Please, Master. Boggens was ordered here.”

  Ordered? Why would anyone send a dirt faery here? And, of even more importance, who would have sent him?

  With the last question came a dreaded certainty. The Council of Elders. Not many Matlantians had a dirt faery at their service, but all of the members of the council did. An awful realization came to him. If an elder on the council sent the faery, then the entire council knew he and Charissa were free.

  “Who sent you? Who is your one, true master? Is it someone on the Council of Elders? Speak now or I’ll throw you in a stall and let a horse trample your repulsive body back into the dirt where you belong.”

  Boggens shuddered, but Rici knew dirt faeries often shuddered for no real reason. A dirt faery was a creature who could fake fear, along with all the other emotions, and were among the best liars Rici had ever known.

  “Please. Don’t hurt Boggens. Boggens will tell you.”

  “Then tell me and stop wasting my time.” Time he could should spend winning Terey’s heart.

  “Mistress Altalia sent Boggens to check up, uh, check in with Master Riciseon and Mistress Charissa.”

  Altalia! This was bad. Very bad. “Boggens, what did you see? Spill it.” But Rici knew his answer before the troll-like creature could voice it.