Pegasus and the New Olympians by Kate O'Hearn Page B

tremble. Chrysaor flew on the other side of the stallion and started to squeal at his brother.
    ‘What’s happening?’ Joel called.
    ‘Pegasus can feel Tornado Warning. We’re getting close.’ She leaned forward and patted his neck again. ‘Just take it easy, Pegs.’
    ‘I don’t like this,’ Earl said. ‘He may be an Olympian, but Pegasus is still a full-blooded stallion. We may be in for a lot of trouble.’
    Earl voiced what Emily was trying hard not to. For the first time ever, Pegasus was starting to frighten her. Something was driving him on. If that something was Tornado, what would he do when they met?
    Emily got her answer much quicker than she expected. Pegasus sped up. He left the others far behind as he tore through the town and started to follow along a dark road. In the pre-dawn light, Emily saw a chain-link fence surrounding a large property. They flew over a tall gate that was the entrance. Emily barely had time to read the sign, Double R Ranch.
    Directly ahead were multiple paddocks. Further in the distance, they saw several dark shapes that were buildings. But Pegasus kept going. He flew right over the top of the first set of stable blocks and outbuildings without slowing down. Finally Emily saw their destination. It was a large, squat and circular stable at the very centre of the property.
    Even before Pegasus landed, they heard sounds coming from inside the stables. The horses were awake and screaming. It was almost like the first time they visited the carriage stables in New York. But this was different because one voice rose higher and more furious than the others.
    ‘That’s got to be Tornado,’ Emily said. ‘He knows Pegasus is here.’
    Pegasus hit the ground in a full gallop. Emily had to cling on to his mane to keep from being thrown off. Earl wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and did his best to stay on the stallion’s back.
    ‘Stop, Pegs,’ Emily cried as the stallion charged forward. ‘Let us down!’
    Pausing only long enough for Emily and Earl to dismount, Pegasus charged forward. Glowing brilliant white, the stallion ran up to the locked stable doors. He reared high in the air as his golden hooves tore through doors like they were made of paper.
    ‘Pegasus, stop!’ Emily screamed as she watched him losing control. The stallion threw back his head and screeched in fury as the doors came free of their hinges. Without a pause, he stormed into the stable.
    Emily and Earl charged in behind Pegasus just as the others landed on the ground behind them.
    ‘Emily, wait!’ Joel called. ‘It’s too dangerous!’
    But Emily had to stop Pegasus before he did something to endanger them all.
    Pegasus’s glow lit the darkened stable enough to see that it was a huge circle with an open centre ring for training. Countless stables lined the circular walls. Their stall doors were solid on the lower half with bars on the upper. There were horses at the front of the stalls. Eyes bright, they were shrieking and kicking at the tall doors to get out. But despite their strength, the doors were holding. All but one.
    Light blazed through the bars at its occupant glowed almost as much as Pegasus. He was kicking at the sealed door and large cracks formed on the outside.
    ‘It’s Tornado Warning!’ Emily cried. ‘Look, he’s glowing just like Pegasus!’
    Pegasus was on the outside of the stall door, kicking at the wood in fury. His eyes were wild and enraged. This was not the stallion Emily knew and loved. Pegasus had gone insane.
    ‘Pegasus, no!’ Emily cried. ‘Stop!’
    If he heard her, he gave no sign. Within moments, the wood of the door shattered and Tornado Warning charged out of his stable. Rearing up, the two glowing stallions attacked each other with all the fury they possessed.
    Pegasus’s wings opened and smashed at Tornado’s head, knocking him into the large open training ring.
    ‘Pegasus, stop!’ Emily howled as she ran closer.
    ‘Emily, no!’ Alexis cried.