Page 43 of Stitched Up in You
A wave of heat caresses my back reminding me that I really do need the sunshine and my brow wrinkles. “Sorry to disappoint you Frank, but I don’t run.” I walk back to the fence sedately.
“Dammit woman, for once in your life will you listen,” he barks out.
Gah what a grump. Ah well, I can always come back tomorrow.
I turn around to wish the horse a farewell, and my heart stutters in my chest at the sight before me.
A scream flies from my lips as I scramble backwards to get away. “He’s on fire,” I shriek, the words ridiculous because the horse isn’t just on fire—he’s ablaze.
The horse’s mane is an inferno, flames climbing at his hooves where fur used to be and out of his eye and nose holes.
“Holy shit.”A supernatural horse. My brain finally catches up to the party as I turn to head toward the metal fencing just as Frank leaps over it, putting himself between me and the gigantic fire-breathing horse.
“I know. Back up, Brom,” he growls, a frown puckering into a deep V at his brow.
I stare slack-jawed as he throws his arms wide and forces the animal up onto two legs.
“I told you to stay in your room,” he says, turning his anger on me.
The horse squeals angrily, striking the air with his huge hooves inches from Frank’s face, who turns, putting his back to the horse to glare at me. “Why do you never listen? This isyourfault.” He utters while the horse gallops angrily around the paddock, starting off tiny fires anywhere grass stupidly thought to make its home.
“How could I have known you have one of him?” I announce, pissed he thinks to be mad at me when he didn’t warn anyone about the burning horse. I watch in amazement as the horse gallops around again, his hooves and mane still blazing, but it doesn’t cover his body like before.
The giant thing moves to trot toward us, extinguishing himself as he does, his head low again.
“Don’t even think about it,” Frank snaps, leaving me confused for moment because he’s not talking to me, he’s speaking to the horse.
He suddenly lets out a string of curses and plants his big hands on his hips.
The horse whinnies, the sound loud as he nudges at Frank’s shoulder, obviously wanting to get near me again, but Frank stops him. The big animal snorts and a strong scent of brimstone fills the air as I marvel at how his mane is back to normal, his short black fur short and velvety like satin.
“You fucking would play nice with the most venomous woman on the planet,” Frank scoffs.
“What is he? How doyouhave a horse like this?” I ask, letting the insult roll off as I turn to stare at him, knowing I’m not leaving until I get some answers. Not when things like this exist.
“He’s notmine,” he barks out, his tone annoyed.
“Then whose is he?”
“It’s none of your concern, alright?” he says, wedging himself between us when the big horse tries to charge a bit toward me.
My brows knit into a frown across my forehead. I stomp one foot in the dirt and cross my arms over my chest. “None of my concern? He was just onfire. I am not leaving here until I get answers Frank. Are there more of him?”
His shoulders bunch and move as he pushes at him, and I marvel at his strength a moment. “For fucks sake, do you think he would be kept secret if there were more?”
“Right, what’s his name?”
“His name is Brom Bones.”
Oh my gosh, no way. “And he just happens to live behind your house?” I ask, putting up air quotes.
“What’s behind my home is none of your business.”
“Could you be more rude? Hello, I’ve known supernatural creatures are real for months and haven’t said anything. I also just found out flaming horses exist, and I didn’t lose my shit, did I? No, I didn’t, so chill,” I say.
Brom nickers softly as if to punctuate my point, veering around Frank’s big body to push his big head to my chest for cuddles, almost knocking me to the ground.
“Irrelevant. Now, come on,” he gestures his arm toward the gate. “It’s not safe here. Brom usually doesn’t like anyone, and you’re lucky you’re stillalive.” He starts shoving the big horse away.
