I couldn't remember the last time I had taken a bubble bath. But here I was in Ivy's bathroom, the door locked, and the water running. Ivy was out for the weekend, presumably with Nina, and I was determined to relax in the tub. The lavender scented bubbles were foaming in the black tub and I was hopping out of my sweats.

The phone started ringing just as I put one foot in the hot water. I hesitated, briefly wondering if I should get it, but quickly changed my mind. I sank into the bubbles, assuming Jenks would pick it up. I sank back, losing myself in the calming scent, and heard the answering machine kick on. Jenks was probably taking his noon hour nap.

I could hear a soft murmur coming from the machine but tried not to think about going on a run. I was taking a well-deserved bath and quite frankly I didn't want to be disturbed. I closed my eyes and tried not to think about anything.

The calm lasted perhaps ten minutes before I heard the sound of my cell phone ringing from my room. Sighing, I sank my head under the water, letting my scraggly curls become heavy. Whoever the hell was calling me could wait until I was finished. It was only noon, and I hadn't even had my breakfast.

I spent another twenty minutes floating in the tub before I finally gave up on the pretense of relaxation. I quickly washed and rinsed my hair and emerged from the tub smelling like a flowerbed. I pulled the plug then got back into my sweats before padding out into the hall. I'd rinse the bubble scum from the tub later. I had all weekend before Ivy returned home.

I wandered into the kitchen, aware of the quiet throughout the church. The sound of early cicadas came through the open window, and I wondered if it would be a dry summer. All of the pixies that were left were out in the garden napping, except a few on sentry duty. I knew they would be on the roof, watching for any intruders.

I turned to the coffee maker and set it gurgling and then finally headed for the answering machine. Whoever had called had thought their plight was pretty important if they had left a message on the machine and then tried my cell as well. But no matter what it was about, I promised myself I'd have my coffee before leaving the church.

I pressed the play button and was surprised when I heard Trent's melodious voice come from the tiny speaker. "Hi Rachel," came his hesitant introduction. Ever since our kisses in his tiny spelling hut, we had been tiptoeing around each other awkwardly. I didn't know where I stood with him any longer and it made me uneasy. "I was hoping you could come out today," he continued. "I have a problem that I'd like you to look at. Give me a call if you can, but I've already warned the gate that you'll be coming. I'll be at the stables."

I stared at the machine, my pulse quickening at the thought of heading out to the Kalamack estate. He'd be at the stables? Was he trying to get me in the saddle again? To join another hunt? But the moon wasn't even full. I listened to the awkward silence as Trent didn't hang up, and finally I heard him say softly, "Bye Rachel."

The machine clicked and the light stopped flashing.

I looked at the coffee machine still gurgling on the counter and then headed to my bedroom. I flipped my cell phone open to see that he had also left me a voicemail and I sighed, frustrated. I knew Quen wasn't with him this month, but did he need to call me for every problem he had? I set the phone down on the bed and went to my closet, trying to decide what to wear.

He had said there was a problem, but I didn't think wearing leather would help solve it, and while I enjoyed knowing that the thick material would protect my skin if I fell, I was pretty sure I wouldn't be running today. The nicer, more sophisticated clothing wouldn't do if I was going to be around horses. No matter how hard a person tried to stay clean in a barn something always happened. I finally opted for a snug pair of jeans and my Takata security t-shirt. If Trent didn't like the way I dressed then he should have thought about where I was supposed to meet him.

I pulled the clothes on and grabbed my cell before leaving my room. I was just checking my voicemail when I saw Jenks fly in through the open kitchen window. He made a beeline for the coffee maker as I heard Trent's voice again, "Hi Rachel, I hope you got my first message. I really hate to be a bother, but I'd appreciate your help. Don't worry; we won't be riding, so you don't need riding boots."

There was another small pause and then he said goodbye. He had to stop doing that. I set the phone down on the table and headed for the coffee. Jenks was sitting on top of the machine, finishing off his drop. "Looks like you've got plans?" he asked.

I sighed, grabbing my favourite mug and pouring the hot coffee into it. "Trent needs me help."

A slip of dust escaped Jenks, "Again?" he asked. "What does the cookie-maker want now?"

I shrugged as I drank the hot liquid. "He didn't say. He just told me to meet him at the stables."

I saw Jenks raise a tiny eyebrow, "Maybe he's just trying you get you alo-o-o-one, Rache," Jenks said, and then thrust his little hips. I scowled at him and swiped my hand his way. He burst from the coffee maker and buzzed over to the hanging utensils. He sat in a ladle and looked at me. "Want me to come with you?" he asked.

I nodded as I grabbed a bagel and popped it in the toaster. "He said there was a problem, so maybe you can help."

Jenks lifted off the ladle, "I'll go tell the kids," he said and he slipped out the open kitchen window.

I finished my coffee and pulled the cream cheese out of the fridge while I waited for the bagel to toast. Jenks was back just as the bagel popped and I headed toward the toaster with my cream cheese and knife. "Tink's panties, Rache, why aren't you ready yet?" he whined, and I knew he wanted to go out to Trent's probably more than I did.

I could see he had a parcel in his hands, and I smiled, knowing it was something Belle had made for her sister. "I need to eat, Jenks," I said, slathering the cream cheese onto the bagel and then taking a bite.

"Well, hurry up, would you?" Jenks griped, and then took off, heading for the front of the church. I quickly ate my bagel then went to my room to tug my boots on. I grabbed my bag and headed out the front door of the church, listening to the soft thud as the large wooden door shut.

Jenks buzzed around my head as I headed for my car. He settled himself on the rear-view mirror as I started it and backed out of the driveway. I headed out of the residential neighbourhood, knowing my route to Trent's place by heart now.

"So what if he does just want you alone?" Jenks said, and I glared at him.

"If he says he's got a problem, then he's got a problem," I said. "He wouldn't waste my time."

"Oh, I don't think he'd waste your time, Rache. I think you'd enjoy every minute," Jenks snickered, and I flicked a finger at him.

"Why don't we get to Trent's place and find out what he wants before you assume that's what he's after?" I asked as Jenks flew to the back windshield, still laughing at me.

I was silent the rest of the way there.

I smiled up at the guard as they opened the gate to let me through, and he nodded back. Another guard came out and motioned for me to open the window. Turning my AC up, I pressed the window button and watched it power down before the man stuck his head inside my car. "Mr. Kalamack would like to remind you that the stables are on the left fork of the drive, ma'am."

I nodded, already knowing how to get to the stables, but still unnerved that Trent would expect me to meet him there as opposed to his office. "I promise I'll go straight there," I said, knowing the guard wanted my word.

Satisfied, he withdrew from the car and I quickly raised the window, trapping the cold air inside. I drove down the drive and took the left fork to arrive shortly at the stables. I parked the car against the side of the building, not wanting it to be too close to the door in case an angry horse sent a hoof through my window. Jenks and I headed into the barn and the scent of horses, hay, and leather hit me. It was a calming smell, and I inhaled deeply as my eyes adjusted to the dark. Behind the barn smells I thought I detected an antiseptic smell that reminded me of a hospital. I fought off a shudder and headed deeper into the barn.

At the sound of my heels thunking on the wooden floors, Trent popped his head out of a stall door. "Over here," he said quietly, and I headed his way. Jenks flew ahead of me and I saw him land on Trent's shoulder.

I stood outside the stall and looked in only to find one of Trent's racehorses lying on his side, breathing unsteadily. Trent's vet sat in the corner, putting a cap on a medicine bottle, and I knew immediately that this was the scent I had detected.

Why would Trent call me in because one of his horses was sick?

"Trent," I started, but he cut me off by opening the stall door and letting me in.

"We had a race this morning," he said quietly, not wanting to disturb the animal. "He was perfectly fine when I sent the trailer out to the track, but he seems to have come down with something. Minutes before the race." Trent eyed me, and I flushed as his gaze lingered on my hair for a moment. I hadn't bothered to do anything with it, and the curls were still damp.

"This is why I'm here?" I asked.

Trent nodded, "I think someone did this to him. I'm pretty sure it was magic, but I was hoping you could confirm that for me."

I raised an eyebrow at Trent, "And how do you expect me to do that?"

Trent turned back to the horse and I only just noticed his wispy blonde hair floating a bit. "Use your second sight," he said.

I turned back to the chestnut gelding lying before me and tapped a line. The horse's ears twitched and I knew the animal had noticed. I brought up my second sight and gasped. The horse was covered in what looked like smut. The ugly black mass seemed to crawl over the animal. I instinctively knew it wasn't smut though. This was something else. And it was the reason the horse couldn't breathe right.

"What is it?" I whispered, and I felt Trent move closer to me.

"I don't know," he admitted. "But I suspect it's elvin magic."

"I don't think I can fix it," I said, and I felt our shoulders touch.

"I'm not asking you to do that," Trent said, and I felt his breath shiver through my damp hair. "I want you to find out who did this."

I looked into his green eyes and saw the anger there. Trent loved his horses, no matter how he trained them to win. While the animals didn't mean as much to me, it pissed me off to see the poor creature gasping before me. Whoever had done this wasn't just trying to get Trent's attention, he was warning him of worse to come.

I studied the horse and finally nodded. If Trent's horses were in danger, then maybe so was he. And Quen trusted me to keep the elf safe. "I'll help," I said, and Jenks chirped his wings in agreement.

"Thank you," Trent said, and I felt his fingers brush my hand. I pulled back, not quite sure if I wanted him sliding his fingers through mine. My heart thumped and I heard Jenks snicker to himself.

Fine, so maybe I wasn't just helping him for Quen. I scowled at the pixy.