not until she was almost on top of him did she haul commander to a smart stop , and at the same time , she swung her leg over the horse 's back and slid gracefully to the ground . after ten minutes , the bell announced the beginning of the first class . nick glanced quickly at st. marys . i leaned on the counter , dropping my chin in my palm . fraser glanced at him , torn from whatever dark thought had possessed him . 