Page 100 of My UnTrue Love
“Eastside-Westside?” Mamie shot her a mystified look. “He hasn’t won a race all year. He’s like 10 to 1.”
Clementine shrugged. “He likes this track and the sun shining down on him.” She looked up at the bright sky, understanding how it made him happy. “He’s motivated by light. By the sense of freedom. Being outside in the desert air. Running full-out for five miles. It’s who he is as an athlete. This is his moment.”
Mamie’s eyes went from the short-tailed horse to Clem. Back to the horse. Back to Clem. “You’resure?” She asked doubtfully.
“I’m a muse. Understanding performers is what I do best.”
Mamie blinked, as if she’d never considered that part of Clem’s ability before. “Holy shit.” She blurted out and waved over one of the bet-runners. “Here! Everything on Eastside-Westside to win. Hurry!”
The elf boy went dashing off with the money she’d handed him. He seemed young to be working. He really should be in school.
That made her think of Luke and how the boy was hiding from her. Clem frowned.
“Christ.” Mamie was trembling, as the horses headed to the starting gate. “I can’t believe I just did that. What if you’rewrong?” She hurried over to take a spot by the fence. “I’ll be finished.”
Clementine didn’t like the frantic energy emanating from the woman. “Mamie, are you okay? Like is everything… okay?”
“I’m, uh,” Mamie shot her a quick agonized look, “I’m having a little issue with cash flow.”
“Me too.” Clementine commiserated. “I was just telling Bill we need to fix cheaper meals, until things pick up.”
Mamie gave a semi-hysterical laugh. “My problems are a little more serious than clipping some coupons, I’m afraid. There are certain photos of me that I have to get back, before Vulture Valente gets hold of them. They willhumiliatemy dad.”
“Holy moly! You’re being blackmailed?”
“Yes, but I’mnotgoing to pay.” Mamie’s lips thinned. “If I do, he’ll never stop asking for more. Instead, I hired a dragon.”
“To set the blackmailer on fire?”
“I considered that, sure, but it would just lead to more PR problems. It’s easier to get rid of the pictures.” Mamie’s eyes narrowed, mentally reviewing her plan. “Have you ever heard of Trevelyan, Last of the Green Dragons?”
“No.” Dragons were powerful and snobby. They livedwayabove muses’ social circles.
“Well, Trevelyan sells the darkest magic in the world. I’ve hired him to find the photos, and all the copies, and destroy them forever. That will solve my problem. But it’ll cost me a fortune to pay for a spell like that. Fucking Trevelyan is charging me a bucket full of gold for his magical services. Literally. He wants abucket. He says it’ll make all the coins easier to carry.”
Practical of him. Greedy, but practical. “And you’re going to get this bucket full of gold at a horse track?” Clem asked a little dubiously.
“I’m here all the time, for fun. Mostly I lose, but it’s never mattered before. Now, I’ve justgotto pick a winner.”
“Mamie, I’m sure your dad will lend you…”
“I can’t go to my dad for a loan, without explaining what the money’s for! And it’s not like evil dragons take credit cards, so I have no choice except to raise the cash…” She broke off, because the race was about to begin. “Oh,Christ.” Her hand reached out to grip Clem’s arm. “If Eastside-Westside doesn’t win, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
“He’ll win.”
Mamie wasn’t so sure. She squeezed her eyes shut, as the starting gates opened and the horses burst onto the track. “I can’t watch.”
Clementine’s gaze stayed on the race. It reminded her of her nightlight, only not at all dreamy or relaxing. This seemed dangerous.
The horses thundered across the red dirt, throwing up a cloud of dust in their wake. The animals’ legs were so incredibly thin to support their gigantic bodies. Jockeys clung to their backs, gripping the reigns and weaving their mounts through impossibly small openings in the pack. It was a wonder there weren’t injuries every day.
Eastside-Westside pulled into the lead by the first turn. Eyes on the finish line, he tore around the track at a spectacular speed. A horse with black-and-white markings gave him a good run. Her name was Do-Dah-Day according to the breathlessannouncer narrating the race over the loudspeaker. That filly was very talented. Had a lot of heart.
But this race belonged to Eastside-Westside.
Clementine watched calmly as the horses circled the track, already knowing the inevitable outcome. Eastside-Westside was running for the sheer joy of running. None of the other horses were close to him now. Like all artists, he loved to perform his craft to the best of his abilities.
She smiled, as he finished well ahead of the others. He all but danced over the finish line and she could sense his happiness. Mamie would be happy, too.
