Ruin (Rhodes #1) by Rina Kent

                             “What are you doing?” Mae tries to push me to no avail. “You need to get off.”

                             “If you don’t shut up, you will be the one to get off. With a broken neck.”

                             She clasps her mouth shut. Then, as expected, opens it again. “Fine! I’ll go to Silver.” She throws me a death glare as I stop Jet and she descends him. Her sun-kissed blonde-grey hair brushes against my chest. I inhale the sweet citrus and smile.

                             My bird is back.

                             Jet and Silver guide us into the west barren ground of the estate and then to the forest. Pine trees decorate our way. Except for random bird cries and the Jaguars roars in the distance, silence falls heavy between us.

                             This is disturbingly similar to my strolls with Uncle.

                             I glance at Mae. She’s handling Silver with a veteran’s ease. There’s no resistance whatsoever in the mare’s movements. Mae’s head moves left and right, inspecting our surroundings. Her awed gaze gets lost now and then as we cut the miles.

                             “Is this whole place yours?” Her softly spoken words break the silence. She always finds a way to break the silence.

                             “It’s my family’s.”

                             “Humph. Talk about showing off.”

                             “You’re the one who asked, mouse.” I smile, not finding the energy to be infuriated at her sarcasm.

                             She smirks, half spinning to face me. “You’re the one who brought me out so you can show off.”

                             “I was thinking of getting you some fresh air.” I pull Jet’s reins to turn him. “Since you’re in no need for such courtesy, then we better head back.”

                             “No!” The wind blows Mae’s hair, sending rebellious strands to cover her face. She doesn’t seem affected. Instead, her gaze looms over the muddy narrow path. Sun penetrates the tall trees, drying their leaves. But yesterday’s rain left its entrails through the humid smell coming out of the grass. Autumn in winter. Grey in black.

                             “I like it here.” Her voice is above a murmur. “You’re so lucky to have this.”

                             “Such a place comes with its rules. There’s an exceptionally high price for the estate.”

                             She nods, her lips pout in apparent thoughtfulness. “I figure that an estate’s value is high. How much is it?”

                             “The soul of everyone living within its walls.”

                             She pulls Silver to an abrupt halt, and I coax Jet into stopping too. Mae tips her head to stare into my eyes. There’s blankness in them. Undecipherable lines cloak her features, forbidding me any access. When she speaks, her voice’s mischievous. “Including mine?”

                             My firm grip on the reins almost slips. What is that unprecedented tone? Is she playing with me? “Most likely,” I say, voice flat, playing along.

                             A wide grin animates her face, sending daggers into my chest. What is this version? Is she doing that on purpose?