I walked downstairs to find Brent with a bowl of oatmeal, reading the Sunday funnies. He asked me, “So’d you have fun last night?”

“I guess so. That stuff with Kyle Richardson was a little over the top, right?”

“Which part? The part where you told him you’d marry his son if he couldn’t find anyone better, or the part where you threatened to kill him in front of everyone?”

“Yeah, both were a little crazy.”

“Camille, you can’t go around threatening people, especially Herd Leaders.”

“It looks like I can. I did.”

Brent rolled his eyes, “Okay, you can’t do it without getting in trouble.”

“Like what, someone’ll take my birthday away?”

“There are worse things than joining the Richardson Herd.” I remembered Bianca’s warning last night and felt an iciness taking hold toward Brent.

“All right, I’ll bite. What are some of the things they can do to me?”

“Send your mother’s spirit to the pasture for starters.”

“What? Why? They can’t do that!”

Brent placed his hand over mine, all the humor drained from him, “Yes, they can. Spirits aren’t supposed to stay in our world. If one starts to create problems for living Centaurs, a Herd Leader can have them banished.”

“But, I haven’t even talked to her yet!”

“Then don’t threaten Herd Leaders. If I were you, I’d call Mr. Richardson and apologize. New or not, he won’t stand for you threatening him in front of everybody.”

I gritted my teeth, “I told you, it wasn’t a threat — that was my promise to him.”

“Camille, you aren’t back in ‘the hood.’ There are repercussions for your actions here.”

“The hood? I grew up in Oceanside, you jackass.”

Brent let go of my hand, “I know this is hard for you. I’m just trying to help.”

“You want to help me? Find Gage Richardson a wife so I’m not stuck with him, and get it out of your head that I’ll ever be like everyone else.”

“I already know you aren’t like anyone else. My issue is the more waves you create, the harder this’ll be for everyone.”

“The harder what will be?”

Brent looked over his shoulder, after verifying that no prying ears were present, “Centaurides are super powerful. You know why Dad has such a successful business? Because Mom knows what the stock market is going to do. All five of us work with Dad, but no one recommends anything to our clients unless Mom says so.”

“How is that powerful?”

“That’s how all Centaur women are. The matriarch is in charge of everything.” Brent looked over his shoulder again, still satisfied that we were alone, “There’s no way Dad met your mom the way he said he did. Mom would have destroyed him.”

“I’m not following you, Brent.”

“Something more went on, and we aren’t going to find out what it is until you can figure out how to communicate with your mom.”

“People have affairs, Brent.”

“Not Centaurs, not ever.” His voice had a finality to it. There was something more that I hadn’t been told. Brent asked me, “Can you hear her at all?” I shook my head that I couldn’t. “Has Dad said anything to you about the Lost Herd?”

“The what?”

“Never mind. I just wondered.”

“No one’s told me much of anything. What’s the Lost Herd?”

“It’s probably nothing...I’m not sure.” We heard footsteps coming down the steps and Brent visibly tensed.

Will came around the corner wearing plaid pajama pants, fluffy sheepskin slippers and a white t-shirt. His face was unshaven, and he went straight for the coffee pot. “You two’re up early today.”

Before I could answer, Brent answered for us, “We’re just leaving.”

Will looked at his watch, “Where to?”

“On the boat with Bianca and Drake.”

Will looked disappointed, “A little more notice and I would have tagged along.”

“Sorry Dad. Camille and Bianca hit it off last night. Thought they’d like to go catch some sun. We’ll be back in a few hours.”

“Sounds good. Keep the radio on.”

Brent hadn’t mentioned going out on the boat, although it sounded like a great idea. I felt much more at ease asking Bianca questions than I did Gretchen, especially after what she told me last night. From what Brent started talking about, I wanted to find out what else he could tell me, too.