by Leigh Allen
As I stood, waiting for the other racer to join me, I reviewed the plan in my mind. First, I would show up and surprise everyone by being a stubborn as hell female dead set on racing. Then, I asked Grace and Jamie to make sure that everyone bet against me. They worked the crowd while also staying away from Seth so they wouldn't get caught. If he spotted me, he would never let me go through with this. Finally, Seth would see me and stop me from racing. He would have to take my place, and of course, he would win. The money would be his and he could pay off the rest of his debt tonight. Now, all I had to do was wait.
****
It only took a second for Seth to find me in the crowd. Once his eyes locked on me, I knew it was now or never. Putting on a brave face, I stood strong as I watched the other racer walk his bike over to me. His smug grin had my legs shaking. He thought he had this win already.
“Mia!” I heard shouted over the noise around me.
I looked to my left where Grace and Jamie were watching. They, too, heard Seth calling my name. I nodded to them before turning my attention to Seth who was now bursting through the crowd. Brody was hot on his tail as Seth literally pushed and shoved people out of his way on his mission to get to me.
Once he reached me, I could see that he was seething mad. “What the hell do you think you are doing?” he asked me.
Gripping my arm, Seth yanked me to him. “Hey, stop!” I fought back.
“Mia,” Seth growled out my name. “I know you are stubborn, but even this is low for you. What do you think you are doing?”
Holding strong, I raised my head and smiled. “I’m going to race tonight. Everyone is betting against me,” I said proudly.
“No shit, they are betting against you. Mia, you have never driven a bike before,” he yells.
“Hey, are we going to race or what?” the guy asks us. He stands next to his bike and I now notice that he looks familiar. I have seen him racing out here before. He see’s Seth and his smile fades a bit.
“Yes, just give me a second,” I say.
Seth’s eyes grow wide. “Hell no, she’s not racing. She doesn’t even have a bike,” Seth says, almost laughing now. “What’s your plan? Are you going to race him on foot?” Seth asks sarcastically.
“No, I was going to use Brody’s bike,” I say.
Now, Seth whips his head around and I swear, I can see smoke coming out of his ears. “Brody!” Seth screams, and I see Brody wince.
“Someone better tell me what the fuck is going on before I lose my mind,” Seth declares.
Brody gulps, fear taking over him.
“Seth, one of us has to race tonight. If it’s not me, then who will it be?” I ask, raising my brows.
Seth stands in front of us stunned and confused. “Am I supposed to just stand here and pretend like I am going with all of this?” he asks, throwing his hands up in the air.
I take a step toward him and release the pent up emotion I had been holding on to. I know he is angry with me, but in time, he will forgive me. “Seth, I have looked the other way when you have asked me to. When you first started racing and borrowing money, I trusted you that things would work out.”
Seth opens his mouth to protest, but I stop him. I continue, staring at him in his eyes. “Let me finish. I know that we can get your money tonight and never have to see any of this again,” I say, waving my hands around. “Your eyes looking back at me now, tell me that you know what I am saying is true. Race one last time or I will race for you. Either way, there is a large sum of money on the line. Money that can fix this mess, but only if you swear here and now this will be the last time. Forever.”
As I finish, I can hear the people around us growing frustrated with the wait. Seth’s eyes never leave mine and when he opens his mouth, I say a silent prayer that he understands what I am offering right now.
“Brody, go get my bike. I have one last race to win,” he says.
And, just like that, Promises in Hollow Cove were made.
Chapter 33
Seth
I have no idea what in the hell has overcome Mia, but I can’t say no right now. There is too much on the line for all of us. When this race is over, I am going to kill Brody and then have a very stern talking to my sexy and out of control girlfriend, Mia.
When I saw Mia standing there at the starting line, my heart stopped. It took me a moment to realize that I wasn’t just imagining seeing her there. She is relentless, but damn if I don’t love her for it.
Brody drove his bike over to the starting line and everyone jumped back. The guy who Mia was scheduled to race, now had an angry scowl covering his face. “What in the hell? Are you all scamming me?”
Shaking my head, I smile. “No, man. Look, I just found out about this myself. You can race the girl or me, your pick,” I say.
“Can she even ride a bike?” he asks me.
“Only when I’m driving. With me, you will get a fair race,” I add, sticking my hand out and offering to shake his.
He is reluctant at first, but eventually, he extends his hand and we shake like men. Everyone around us stares on in wonderment. Clearly, this night has taken an unexpected turn for everyone.
I throw my leg over my bike and sit down. Mia stands next to me, a triumphant smile on her face. I can’t wait to do dirty things to that mouth later.
“Good luck,” she says, winking before placing her lips on mine.
Her kiss takes my breath away, but as she backs up, I see nothing but love and admiration reflected in her eyes. This plan might be insane and risky, but I know that Mia wouldn’t be doing it if she didn’t think I was worth it. That we were worth it.
“I have you, I don’t need luck,” I say, before revving the engine.
Everyone backs away from the starting line and I take a deep breath as I ready myself for one hell of a race.
I look at the other racer and he nods, letting me know he is ready. A girl in a short, red skirt saunters in front of our bikes. She holds a checkered flag in the air and the crowd goes silent. There was a time when racing was everything I dreamed about. But now, all I dream about is Mia. She’s mine again and I need this race now to make everything right in our lives. After tonight, no more racing, unless it’s for fun.
The flag falls and the girl jumps out of the way. I take off and feel nothing but the cool air on my skin and the vibration of my engine as I seed down the track. I keep my eyes focused ahead, never once looking beside me to see if my opponent is keeping up with me. My bike is fast and as I push myself faster, my heart beats with a wild excitement.
Crossing the finish line, I breathe for the first time since starting this race. Slowing to a stop, I take off my helmet and access the race. My opponent is next to me and right now, I have no idea who just won.
Everyone in the crowd runs toward us and I see tears streaming down Mia’s face. My heart drops to the pit of my stomach. I lost the race. And now, I am going to lose Mia again, too.
Chapter 34
Mia
Watching Seth speed down the track has my heart stuck in my throat. I can’t move or think. All I can do is watch and pray that Seth will cross the finish line first. Brody, Jamie, and Grace stand next to me and I can feel the nervous energy radiating from them, too.
This race is a defining moment in all of our lives. If Seth wins, his debt is paid off and we can move forward with our lives, never looking back. But, if he loses, we are taking a million steps backward.
I close my eyes for a second and then I feel Grace’s hand on my shoulder. My eyes shoot open again and Seth is crossing the finish line. Did he win?
“Mia!” Grace yells.
“Did he win?” I ask.
“Hell yeah he won,” Brody cheers, as he throws his fists in the air. He takes off down the track toward Seth and a wave of emotions crashes through me.
Tears begin to spill from my eyes as I realize all of the bad is now behind us. I’m beyond relieved and excited that Seth just won this race. My plan worked and now
, we can take the first step into our new life together.
I take off running down the track along with all of the other spectators. Grace and Jamie are hot on my heels, but all I can focus on is Seth. He sits on his bike with a stunned look on his beautiful face.
When I reach him, I throw my arms around his neck, almost knocking him off his bike.
“Mia, what’s wrong?” Seth asks. His eyes are wide and he drops his helmet onto the pavement below.
“Nothing is wrong. These are happy tears, you won!” I exclaim, crashing my lips to his.
“I won?” he asks, shock covering his face.
“Yeah, man. It’s all over now,” Brody cheers, patting Seth on the back.
Grace and Jamie stand beside us, smiles on their faces-- even Jamie looks happy.
Seth sighs and runs a hand through his messy hair. “Mia, I swear, I will never do anything to jeopardize our future again,” he states. His arms snake around my waist and he pulls me to him. My hands fall to his chest and I can feel his heart beating like a drum in his chest.
“Hey, I ‘m going to collect your winnings,” Brody announces, before taking off toward the clubhouse.
Seth looks to me like he isn’t sure what he should do. “Let Brody take care of it,” I offer.
“I don’t know how to thank all of you for what you have done,” Seth begins. “I don’t ever want to see those guys again,” he finishes, releasing a deep breath.
“You don’t have to thank us, just help me forget this all ever happened,” I say.
“I will spend the rest of my life making sure this is nothing but a distant memory. Mia, you are my life now and forever. We will get married, have beautiful babies, and die together,” Seth says, tears pooling in his eyes.
My breath catches as his sentiment makes me proud to call him mine. Sure, we have had our bumps in the road, but nothing can destroy a love like we share.
“Is this real life?” I ask, staring into the eyes of the man I love.
“No, it's our own fantasy. We are our own escape from reality,” Seth stated. “A love like ours isn’t one anyone else would understand.”
He takes my hand and helps me on the back of his bike. My hands go to his waist and I love the familiar feeling of being on the back of Seth’s bike once again. This is where I belong. Seth is my home.
“Where are we going?” I ask, leaning in to him.
“Our spot,” Seth says, winking.
“Hey, wait,” Brody yells, as he runs to us.
He stops in front of the bike, holding my helmet that Seth had made for me. “Seth, your debt is cleared. Now, we can forget about all of this,” he says, handing me my helmet.
“My helmet,” I say, taking it and placing it on my head. “Where did you get this?”
Waving his hands, Brody says, “Something told me you would need it. I brought it and stashed it at the Ravens Clubhouse.”
“Brody, thank you for everything,” Seth adds, smiling at his best friend.
“Go on, restart your love story,” Brody says.
I look over to Grace who is crying tears of joy and Jamie, who watches me with happiness in her eyes. My life feels so complete right now with my new family surrounding us. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but right now, all I know is that my life feels more complete than it ever has before.
Seth kicks the stand away and revs the engine. “You ready?” he asks.
“I’ve never been more ready in my life,” I say, squeezing his side.
As we race off away from the track, I can’t help but feel pure bliss as we make our way to the spot that has become our own. In Hollow Cove, promises were made and broken, but now, all of our promises will hold tight. Because for me and Seth, our love story is just beginning.
The End
Extras
Check out the first two chapters of Ignited: Book 1 in the Woodsong Academy Series.
Chapter 1
“Brie, are you up?” my aunt called.
“Yes, I’ll be right down,” I called back. I made a frustrated gesture as I threw on my black, Converse sneakers. I wasn’t sure why she was rushing me. I still had another twenty minutes before I had to leave.
“You better hurry,” she yelled, her hateful voice radiating through the walls of my bedroom. “If you think I am going to drive you to that supernatural Academy, you are crazy.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I mumbled to myself, in a flat, annoyed voice.
I glanced at myself in the mirror as I began to pull my shoulder-length, red hair behind my ears. My five-foot frame was short and slender, and my green eyes seemed to glow. Before walking out of my small bedroom, I glimpsed the photo—the only remaining picture—I had of my parents. I wished more than anything that they were still here with me. But they weren’t. I was alone. It had been nearly five years since they were murdered and the supernatural police were no closer to finding their killers. I knew I would have to join the Woodson Academy alone, an orphan, and that alone made my anxiety increase even more.
You see, I am part of the supernatural world. A world where monsters from fairy tales and legends aren’t just things of fiction-- but a reality. I had known since my birth that I didn’t belong in the human world. My mother was a fairy and my father was a shifter. I would take on the abilities of my mother, which means I will become a fairy. When a supernatural becomes sixteen, they have to attend the Woodsong Academy to learn their true powers and find a way to live with them amongst humans in the human world. It was now my time, and my aunt couldn’t be happier to get rid of me.
Unlike my mother, my aunt wasn’t born with supernatural abilities. She had been angry and hostile over this for years. Hating my mother with an unfair, jealous rage. So, you can only imagine how frustrated she was when she learned that she was responsible for taking me in, five years ago.
Beep, Beep.
Outside my window, I heard the sounds of a car honking. Glancing out my window, I spotted a black van with dark tinted windows idling on the street. My stomach filled with nervous butterflies as I knew the van was here for me. I wish I could have had the orientation tour of the Academy like the other kids who would be attending, but I hadn’t. When I was given the opportunity, my aunt refused to take me. She wouldn’t dream of stepping foot into an Academy where she didn’t belong. Her own selfish desires got in the way of doing what was best for me.
“Brie Bounty, get down here before they leave you here,” my aunt called again.
Sighing, I rolled my eyes, grabbed the duffle bag that contained the few personal items and clothes I had, and rushed toward my bedroom door. Stopping, I quickly spun around and grabbed the picture of my parents before finally leaving my bedroom for the last time.
A sense of excitement and nervousness filled me. This was my new journey and as much as I wished I knew what to expect, I had no clue what was in store for me. All I knew was that I would be learning how to become a supernatural and maybe, hopefully...possibly find a way to track down the people responsible for my parent’s death.
CHAPTER 2
When I arrived at the school, I felt someone nudge my arm. I guess I had fallen asleep while listening to music. The ride had been long and I guess I had drifted off to sleep.
“Thanks,” I said as I smiled. I looked out the window, but it was dark out now, so I couldn’t really make out my surroundings.
From what I had read online, this school was secluded in a wooded area outside of a southern town. I knew I would attend school here and still learn everything I had in public school, but I would also learn about magic, using my powers, and how to transition back to the human world. More importantly, I would learn about supernatural Trackers.
Since my parent’s death, I had conducted my own research about this ‘group’ of people who considered themselves the saviors of the human race. Their ultimate goal: to destroy all supernaturals. It was my belief that they were responsible for the murder of my parents. While there had been no real
evidence pointing toward them, I knew in my heart and soul that it was them. My parents were good people and never had any enemies. They owned a small bakery in town and people loved them. When they had been found murdered inside the bakery, everyone was devastated. But me? I was beyond hurt. I was desperate for answers and revenge.
As I stepped out of the van, I held tightly onto my duffle bag and sucked in a deep breath. This was it. My chance to start a new life and finally get the answers I had craved for five years.
***
A set of thick, wooden doors opened as I stepped up to them. There wasn’t anyone there, so I knew it was magic. As I stepped inside, the van pulled away from the driveaway and I realized it was just me now.
Walking inside, I could hear my footsteps as they clicked against the white marble floor below me.
“Welcome, Brie Bounty,” a voice rang out to my left.
I whipped my head around and saw a guy around my age standing near a large, spiraling staircase. He had shaggy hair and dark brown eyes.
“Yes,” I said, gulping.
“Hi, I am Ace. I will be your guide here at the Woodsong Academy. We have been waiting for your arrival,” he said, matter of fact like.
I only nodded, unsure of what I should say. It was strange that he knew my name, but I guess that was to be expected. My arrival had been known.
I walked further inside the school and then I saw another person coming our way. Only, this was a woman who looked like she was almost walking on air. As she glided toward me, a soft smile graced her pale face.
Ace nodded and then turned on his heels to leave. He began to walk down a long, dark corridor and I rushed to catch up with him. Electra had nodded for me to follow him, and then had departed from the room we had once been standing in. Not wanting to be left alone in this strange place, I had no other choice but to follow Ace once again. We came to a long, spiraling staircase with black iron and deep mahogany stairs. The stairs looked as though they reached up to the sky above.
