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But then, over the distant crackling of flames, I heard a muffled sound, a cough.Someone was still inside.
“Whiskey isn’t moving,” Ben cried out when he saw me.
I sprinted toward him, finding him crouched near a stall, hands gripping the gate. His face was streaked with soot and sweat. Inside, Whiskey Rush stood stiff-legged, ears pinned back, eyes rolling white with fear. The powerful stallion wasn’t moving—not fighting, not thrashing, just frozen. His muscles were locked up, his sides heaving.
Smoke curled thick and acrid through the stable, burning my throat and stinging my eyes. Whiskey Rush snorted hard, his whole body coiled tight with fear, stomping once before planting his hooves like he was rooted to the ground.
“Come on, boy!” Ben coaxed, pushing open the stall door.
Whiskey didn’t move. Wouldn’t. Too scared. Too overwhelmed. I didn’t hesitate.
“Keep the door open,” I ordered as I stepped inside, laying a firm hand on the stallion’s neck.
His muscles twitched beneath my palm, his nostrils flaring wide. “Easy, boy,” I murmured, keeping my voice steady despite the rising panic in my chest. “I know it’s bad, but we gotta go now.”
I grabbed his halter, giving a firm but gentle tug. He resisted, eyes rolling, ears pinned back against his skull. Behind me, Ben coughed hard, his breath rasping.
“Get the hell out of here, Ben,” I snapped, keeping my voice calm for Whiskey. “I got this.”
Ben didn’t argue—just turned and disappeared into the haze of smoke.
I pressed my forehead to Whiskey’s for half a second, grounding myself and him. He was scared, but so was I.
I took a slow step back, giving him space and coaxing rather than forcing. His ears flicked, his breath heavy and fast, but finally, finally, he took a shaky step forward. Then another.
“Good boy,” I murmured.
Jace’s voice cut through the smoke. “Elena!”
I turned, leading Whiskey out of the stall. “Get him out of here.” I shoved the reins at him, barely sparing a glance as Jace took off toward the paddocks.
“Ben?” I looked around and didn’t see him. He wouldn’t have gone far. My stomach lurched. “Ben!” I called but got no response.
Fuck!
I ducked back into the stable, visibility damn near gone. The smoke burned my lungs as I scanned theburning stable the best I could, heart hammering.I foundBen on the other end on his knees, coughing so hard he couldn’t catch his breath.
“Fuck!” I bolted forward. “Ben, what the fuck you doin’ here?”
“Got lost,” he managed to say.
Right then, a loud crack split the air.
One of the overhead beams—half-burned, weakened—broke loose.Ben turned just as it came crashing down.
I lunged, shoving him with everything I had. He stumbled back, barely missing the beam, but the impact slid us into a stall, slamming the gate shut between us.
Smoke billowed, curling around us. My pulse pounded as I grabbed the latch and yanked hard. It didn’t budge.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I looked around fast—spotted the wooden beam at the side of the stall.“Hold on, Ben,” I gritted out, gripping the edge and swinging my leg over.
I dropped down beside him, looping my arm under his shoulder. “Come on, you’re not dying in here.”
He coughed but nodded, trusting me.We moved fast—I shoved the fallen debris aside and forced open a gap just wide enough.
"Go!" I ordered, pushing him forward.