Smoke, Memory and Blood, Sasha & Beth: #5 (Bozeman Blackout Series)

The pregnant Ballydorn mares watched Sullivan Ranch through their electronic fencing, ears pricked toward the sound of free herds moving across sage-sweet pastures. Even through the security cameras, Sasha could see their longing - the slight lift of elegant heads, the gentle nickering when wind carried herd sounds across the divide.

Inside Ballydorn's pristine veterinary clinic, Rowan reviewed ultrasound images on a large monitor. The screen cast blue light across her sharp features as she pointed out details to her grandfather.

"See the bone development? Classic Ballydorn conformation already visible." Her manicured nail traced the image. "Even with that... unfortunate influence, our bloodlines are holding strong."

The word 'unfortunate' carried enough venom to make the young vet tech flinch. Outside, Thunder's deep call rolled across the valley like distant thunder, making the confined mares shift restlessly in their rubber-matted stalls.

At Sullivan Ranch, Brynn walked her evening pasture checks with Jamie, their boots crushing wild mint and releasing its sharp sweetness into the cooling air. They paused to watch Thunder with his home herd - the stallion's black coat painted gold by sunset, his movement a perfect blend of power and grace as he guided his mares toward evening grazing.

"Look at that movement," Jamie said softly. "That's what Ballydorn's trying to engineer out of their bloodlines. Too much spirit, they'd say. Too unpredictable."

Brynn's hands tightened on the fence rail, wood smooth from generations of similar grips. "They forget what horses are meant to be. Wild souls in willing...