by Raven Steele
“Thank you.”
“That was a brave thing she did, turning herself in like that. I don’t know how many others would’ve done the same.”
I couldn’t answer. It may have been brave, but I wished she’d run. We’d be together right now if she had.
He stared at me, his mouth opening and closing.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Are you going to stay at Solar after all this?”
I hadn’t expected this question. Beyond him, Mr. Cain strode away with his coworkers. I met Hudson’s gaze. “Do you want me to?”
His hand slid over mine. “Please stay. There’s so much more I want to know about you.”
A breath of relief leaked past my lips. “I feel the same about you, about all my friends here, but I’m not sure if the school will let me stay.”
Those words felt strange coming out of my mouth. I never thought I’d find a place that fit me, but so many things had changed.
I’d come to Solar Academy hating my mother, hating myself for feeling I might turn out like her, and feeling like I didn’t belong. Anywhere. Not even in my own skin. But within a few months, I’d realized I’d been wrong about everything. My mother hadn’t left me, I could control my powers, and I did belong. If ever there was a home for me, this was it.
Hudson stood and extended his hand to me. “The school will let you stay. I’ll make them.”
I accepted his hand and let him pull up to his chest. His arms came around me. This time I felt his ice cooling my simmering fire.
“You have that kind of power, huh?”
He smiled. “You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
“I can’t wait to find out.” I lifted on my tiptoes and kissed him briefly.
His lips lingered on mine. “Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”
“We’re stronger that way,” I agreed.
He smiled, and my flames flickered happily. But lingering doubts still plagued me. Why had the ISA wanted me to wake my mother? Who was Wolf?
Hudson took my hands, threading his fingers with mine. “Ready?”
Maybe my mother had given me a gift by turning herself in. If she’d run like I wanted, I wouldn’t be here in the place I belonged, with friends I trusted and the boy I loved. I smiled back at Hudson and nodded.
Together we walked back to school, ready to face the future. One way or another, I would find a way to prove my mother’s innocence and free her once and for all.
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The End
To continue the story in book two, Burn, preorder your copy on Amazon TODAY!
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If you’d like to read more about Ireland, start the Rouen Chronicles today! She appears towards the end of the series.
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About the Author
Raven Steele is a pen name for Rachel McClellan who is a USA Today bestselling author. She lives in Wyoming, a place secretly known for its supernatural creatures. When she's not in her writing lair, she's partying with her husband and four crazy, yet lovable, children. Rachel's love for storytelling began as a child when the moon first possessed the night. For when the lights went out, her imagination painted a whole new world. And what a scary world it was...
She also writes under the pen name Raven Steele.
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Ignite
Solar Academy Book 1
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A novel by
Raven Steele
www.RavenSteele.net
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This is a work of fiction. Names characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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This book may not be reproduced in whole or part, by mimeograph or any other means, without the permission of the Publisher. Making or distributing electronic copies of this book constitutes copyright infringement and could subject the infringer to criminal and civil liability.
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Cover design by Covers by Juan
Printed in the United States of America
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Copyright © 2020 by Raven Steele
All rights reserved