Carrier of the Mark Read Online Free PDF Page B

over, fluttered her eyelashes at Killian, and took the reins from him.
    “So, Megan, you want to learn how to ride?”
    “Well, sort of,” I replied. “I’ve actually been riding off and on for the past ten years, but I’m a little rusty at the moment.”
    “Great! We have some excellent classes and hacks for the more experienced rider,” Killian said, leading us through a barn lined with stalls full of sleepy-looking ponies.
    He then directed us to a huge indoor arena and a spectator area. We sat down and listened as Killian gave us the lowdown on some member of the center who’d been caught red-handed with the wife of the local farrier in one of the stalls. Caitlin was hanging on his every word. I gave up trying to follow along and watched a girl on the other end of the arena instead.
    She was on a huge white horse that must have been at least seventeen hands high. The horse’s neck curved in with her head tucked neatly toward her powerful chest. She moved so gracefully.
    The rider was wearing white jodhpurs and long black leather riding boots. She was completely in control, barely touching the reins. I squinted, trying to see who she was.
    “She’s really beautiful, isn’t she?” Killian said, interrupting my thoughts.
    Caitlin gave the rider a murderous glare.
    “She’s an Andalusian purebred mare. There aren’t many of them in this country.” At this, Caitlin’s face relaxed. “She’s a complete bugger to work with, though, and extremely difficult to ride.”
    I found that hard to believe, watching the horse and rider move with such grace.
    “She’s vicious in the stables too, damn near killed my old Labrador the other day,” he continued. “I think we’d have sold her if it weren’t for Áine. She has a way with the mare. It’s almost as if they can speak to each other. That, and Áine works for free in return for ring time and use of the horses.”
    “Áine,” I repeated, startled. “Isn’t that Adam’s sister?”
    “The very one. She’s like a horse whisperer or something. Our vet bills have plummeted since she’s been working here. My parents will do just about anything to keep Áine happy.”
    At that, Killian got up and told us he had to give another lesson, so Caitlin and I got ourselves a couple of Cokes from the vending machine and settled in for a marathon session of gawking at Killian. Well, Caitlin gawked. I couldn’t stop myself from focusing on Áine. The way she moved on the horse was breathtaking. I couldn’t help but wonder: Did Adam have the same gift as his sister?
    The afternoon crept by and finally Caitlin looked at her watch. “We’d better go,” she muttered, sneaking another glance at Killian. “My mum will have dinner ready, and if we stay here any longer we could be accused of loitering, or stalking, or both, for that matter.”
    We got up and made our way out of the barn to the driveway.
    “Oh, crap, I forgot my jacket,” Caitlin announced.
    “Yeah, right. You just want to get one last glimpse,” I teased.
    Caitlin blushed. “I’ll be back in just a sec. Wait for me!”
    Dusk had cast a gloom over the parking lot. I was just approaching the gate when I noticed Áine standing under a canopy of trees. She was dimly lit by the orange light of a street lamp that had just flickered to life, and she was laughing quietly to herself while gently waving her arms around. I slowed, stepping back into the shadows, and watched her delighted face as a cloud of white moths began to gather above her head. Where had they all come from? She swayed her arms to one side and the fluttering white cloud of moths danced to her command. It was a strangely beautiful sight. Then she held out her arms to each side and the hovering mass of insects descended on her, smothering every inch of her silhouette in the delicate beatings of white wings.
    Stunned into stillness, I stayed where I was. The crack of a branch above my head made Áine flick her eyes in my direction. As