"We should have rented a car," said Kira. "Paul had to take his and it'll be too slow on foot. We also

don't know this town well enough yet to try teleporting. Besides, that would waste a lot of energy."

"We should have rented a car," said Kira. "Paul had to take his and it'll be too slow on foot. We also

don't know this town well enough yet to try teleporting. Besides, that would waste a lot of energy."

"What do you mean?" asked Kira.

"Step right this way," said Gomez, turning and padding toward the door.

"Oh, wow!" said Kira as she opened the door.

Standing in the yard were two sleek, muscular, white unicorns, pawing at the ground with their tufted

hooves and whickering.

"I'd like you to meet a couple of friends of mine," said Gomez. "This here's Tony and his brother,

Champion. They're equine thaumagenes. They belong to a corporate big shot from Scottsdale who keeps

'em stabled here for whenever he's in town with his latest squeeze. Guys, say hello to Kira and Billy."

Tony tossed his big head with its iridescent, spiral horn and snorted. "Hi, Kira."

"Hello, Billy," Champion said, whisking his tail back and forth.

"How marvelous!" said Kira. "But . . . I don't know how to ride! And they haven't got any saddles or

reins or whatever you call 'em."

"Well, they're pretty smart," Gomez said, "but they can't exactly put on their own tack. You'll have to

ride bareback. But don't worry, the boys'll take good care of you. All you gotta do is tell 'em where you

wanna go and they'll handle the rest."

"Climb aboard, Kira," said Tony.

Somewhat awkwardly, Kira swung up onto the unicorn's back.

"Come on, Billy," she said. "What are you waiting for?"

"Gor' blimey, you ain't gettin' me on one o' them things," Billy said.

"Come on, it'll be fun!"

"Bloody 'ell! I'll fall off an' crack me damn skull," said Billy.

Suddenly his manner and voice changed.

"No, you won't," said Merlin. "I'll handle this, boy."

"I didn't know you could ride," said Kira.

"Who do you think taught Arthur?" Merlin replied. He ran several steps and easily vaulted up onto

Champion's back from behind.

"What do I do?" asked Kira.