Chapter Ninety-Six: The Reckoning at Solstice Circuit

The night air was thick with gasoline and adrenaline at Solstice Circuit, one of the most notorious underground racing tracks in Atria Solis. The neon-lit oval stretched wide, its asphalt gleaming under the floodlights, while the crowd buzzed with anticipation.

Chloe adjusted her mask and sunglasses, ensuring no one could see her face. Her long wavy hair was pulled into a high ponytail, tucked neatly beneath her cap. Beside her, Carter mirrored her disguise, his own face mask, sunglasses, and cap shielding him from the crowd—too young to be exposed, too important to be ignored.

The Redgrave brothers—Damian, Mikael, and Lorence—stood near the pit lane, their presence unmistakable. And Kian?

Kian was right beside her, watching her with a quiet intensity.

Because he knew exactly what this meant.

Because he knew exactly who she was.

And because, no matter how much he hated it—

He was getting in the car with her.

The Provocation

The rival team—Blackthorn Syndicate—stood across from them, their leader, Ronan Vale, smirking as he eyed Chloe's frame.

"Didn't realize the Redgrave boys needed a babysitter tonight," he drawled, arms crossed.

His crew laughed, their amusement sharp and cutting.

"Or is this your mascot?" another sneered.

Damian rolled his shoulders back, but it was Lorence who stepped forward first.

"You sure you want to start something you can't finish?"

Ronan's smirk widened.

"I'm just saying—if you're gonna bring a girl to a race, at least make sure she knows how to drive."

Mikael exhaled sharply, shaking his head.

You're embarrassing yourself, Vale."

But Chloe?

Chloe smiled.

Slow. Calculated.

"Let's make it interesting, then."

Ronan raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"If I win," Chloe said, voice smooth, "you take the prize money."

The Syndicate crew snorted.

"And if you lose?"

Chloe's smile widened.

"You run a full lap around the oval, screaming 'I'm a loser.'"

The laughter died instantly.

Ronan's expression darkened, but his crew was already egging him on.

"Take it, man. She's bluffing."

"Easy money."

"She won't last a lap."

Ronan grinned, shaking his head.

"Fine. You're on."

The Weight of the Past

Kian exhaled slowly, watching Chloe slide into the driver's seat of her midnight-black Lykan Hypersport.

She moved like she belonged there.

Like she had never left.

And that was the problem.

Because six years ago, she did.

She walked away—from the races, from the adrenaline, from the world where she had thrived.

She never asked what happened while she was gone.

Never knew why Kian hadn't raced since.

Never knew about the crash.

And now?

Now, she was back, and he had to sit right beside her, fighting the ghosts she didn't even realize existed.

The Beginning of the End

The engines roared.

The crowd cheered.

And Chloe?

Chloe gripped the wheel, pulse steady, mind clear.

Because tonight?

Tonight, Nyx was back.