Page 95 of Savage Hope

“What the fuck?” she blurts, horror dancing in her eyes. “Why?”

I shrug again, my shoulders falling heavier this time. “Who knows? Probably to keep us at a disadvantage. That was the whole point of me being there, right? The sigil keeps my magic dormant, and I’m already drenched in ignorance and isolated. It’s all part of their plan.”

“Well, we’re here to have fun,” Minnie insists, linking my other arm so I’m sandwiched between them both.

“Fun?”

“Yes,” she insists, tugging me to walk under the huge sign and down the brightly lit walkway along with everyone else. “This entire place is for us to have fun. That’s why everyone is here, and we’re going to join in with them.”

I nod along, the pretty lights and sweet music luring me in as I opt not to put up a fight. There’s a sense of magic and excitement in the air, but one thing is for sure: there are no other supernaturals among the sea of people.

It’s almost overwhelming, walking alongside people like I’m…normal. I’m in a world, a brief pocket of time where I’m just Polaris.

No academy.

No blood kin curse.

No impending death.

It may only be a small piece of time, but I vow to make the most of it.

After everything, I think I deserve a break, especially when I have to acknowledge that I’m learning not just the life of a supernatural being, but also the life of an everyday human.

“What are we going on first?” Bryony asks, and Minnie tugs us toward the left, the music changing to a softer melody as I grind to a halt, watching a ride sprint past lightning fast with people screaming as it goes. I can’t tell if the noise is laced with fear or glee, but as Bryony and Minnie encourage me closer, I understand their intentions.

Glancing back over my shoulder, considering whether I should make a run for it, I find Wylder, Tatum, Lincoln, and Asher a step behind, effectively trapping me in. Wylder winks at me, making me blush, and I quickly turn back around, accepting my fate.

I watch the ride pass by one more time, the screams not exactly filling me with hope, before Minnie drags me down a lane for VIPs.

“I don’t know if this is a good idea,” I explain, trying to slip from between them, but it’s impossible as we’re led down a path that narrows right to where the entrance to the ride is.

Minnie takes over, talking with the staff, and a moment later, I’m being pulled onto the ride. The seats are paired in twos. Minnie is beside me, Bryony and Asher behind, followed by Tatum and Lincoln, while Wylder sits alone at the back.

“I’m scared,” I mutter, my heart thumping wildly in my chest, and Minnie giggles.

“It’s going to be worth it, I swear,” she promises as a bar is pushed down onto my lap, locking me in place.

“Minnie,” I plead, my face heating with the increase in my blood pressure. She doesn’t answer me as a small bell rings and we start to move.

Panicked, I grab the handle before me, holding on for dear life as we lean back in our seats, the cart aiming for the sky.Clenching my eyes shut, I feel my breaths grow shallow as the ride levels out again, but the reprieve is short-lived as we tip down, barreling toward the ground, picking up speed with every second.

I scream.

The sound is one of fear laced with adrenaline as we dip and weave, up and down, round and round, as I keep my eyes firmly shut. I don’t want to let go of the bar, but I force my right hand to my hip, finding the tiny pocket in my even smaller skirt to feel the familiar press of my coin. It’s a mixture of fear of losing it and needing the strength it offers as the ride goes faster and faster.

My fingers curl around the coin, taking the invisible strength, and after a beat, I manage to pry my eyes open, watching the world swirl before me. I have no idea how much time passes before we come to a stop and Minnie pats me on the thigh.

“How was it?” she asks as the bar fixed against my lap eases.

Minnie smiles excitedly as I try to find my words. Shaking my head in disbelief, I answer her truthfully.

“That was amazing.”

She cackles, climbing out of the cart to the left and waving for me to follow her. The second I’m back at her side, she tugs me toward the exit, still laughing.

“How do you know it was amazing if your eyes were closed?” I hide my face behind my hands, embarrassed, but it only makes her laugh more as she pulls at my arm and drags me away from the ride. “The real question is, are you doing another one?”

I fix my stare on hers, nodding excitedly. I need that hit again; it almost gave me the same tingles as Wylder did, and if his option isn’t available, I’ll take this instead.

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