July 16th, 2007
The sun beat down on the racetrack, casting a golden glow over the sleek, high-performance cars as they zoomed around the track at breakneck speeds. The air was electric with the roar of engines and the cheers of the young adult and teen socialites who had gathered to watch the thrilling competition.
Selena, now a stunning young woman, expertly navigated her car around the track, her skills honed to perfection, as she was driving a solar-powered prototype. She was a force to be reckoned with, and her competitors knew it. Gunn, Jakob, and Michael were hot on her heels, but Selena was determined to take the lead.
As she crossed the finish line, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause. Selena leapt out of the car, her white shirt and ripped jeans a perfect contrast to the sleek, black vehicle. Her high ponytail bounced with each step, and her strapped gothic boots added a touch of edginess to her overall look.
Liam, always the charmer, sprang into action, grabbing a bottle of champagne and spraying it directly at Selena. She squealed in mock outrage, laughing and trying to dodge the spray. "Liam, stop it! You're getting me all wet!"
Selena grinned, feeling like she was on top of the world. She had proven herself to be a formidable competitor, and she knew that she had earned the respect of the guys over the years.
Jonah strode up to the group, his eyes scanning the scene before him. He noticed the champagne-soaked shirt clinging to Selena's chest, and his gaze narrowed as he caught the lingering stares of his friends. A protective instinct kicked in, and he swiftly draped his motorcycle jacket over Selena's wet shirt, covering her up.
"Hey, sis," he said, his voice low and casual but with a hint of warning to his friends. "Looks like you won the race. Congrats."
Selena smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Thanks, bro. I guess I showed them who's boss."
Jonah chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Yeah, you did. Sorry, I wasn't here to see it. My tire blew out on that curve back there."
Gunn, Jakob, and Michael looked away, trying to appear nonchalant, but Jonah's gaze lingered on them for a moment, a silent warning to keep their eyes off his sister. Liam, still grinning from ear to ear, seemed oblivious to the tension, but Jonah knew he'd get the message soon enough. "Hey, Jakob, want to do something about the caveman beside you?"
Jakob's eyes snapped to his brother, Liam, who was still gazing at Selena with a slightly open-mouthed expression. Jakob's face flushed with embarrassment as he elbowed Liam in the ribs.
"Hey, knock it off, Liam," Jakob muttered, trying to play it cool. "You know the rules. Not cool."
Selena's mind was a complex web of thoughts, memories, and strategies. She had spent years perfecting her skills, she was in the mood to date any of these hormonally charged young men. She hadn't had the best track record. There was never that special person other than the fraud Jack was and the line of men who sold her.
Selena's thoughts were haunted by the memories of her past life. The abuse she suffered at the hands of Josiah Barnes still lingered, and the fallout of her past life haunted her still. She had learned to channel that pain into a source of strength. She had built a business empire, Patriot Laundry and Linen Services, and amassed a fortune. She was a rich young lady who could follow her dreams.
Selena's family relationships were complicated, too. She had a deep affection for Molly, her mother figure, who was now living in witness protection. Molly's past was marked by her involvement with the cartel and McKenna's father, and Selena had learned to navigate the secrets and dangers that came with it.
As she thought about their upcoming 17th birthday, Selena's mind turned to Jonah's impending accident. Could they just take a chauffeured vehicle? Jonah promised that he wouldn't do anything risky, but he was 17.
She felt a sense of foreboding, knowing that she couldn't warn him or change the course of events. Dônn, a mysterious force, seemed to be controlling her actions, preventing her from speaking or writing about the accident.
Selena wondered if Jonah's death was predetermined if there was anything she could do to prevent it. She had tried to subtly influence him, encouraging him to learn stunt driving and safe driving skills. But despite her efforts, she couldn't shake the feeling that the outcome was already set in motion.
Claire Gregory, Jonah's fiery girlfriend, and her bodyguard, came bounding over, her bright red hair streaming behind her. She leaped onto Gunn's back, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, backpack-style.
"Hey, baby!" she exclaimed, peppering Jonah's cheek and face with kisses. "I was so worried about you! What happened to the tire?"
"Haha," Jonah chuckled, trying to extricate himself from Claire's enthusiastic embrace. "Just a blown tire, Claire. I'm fine." Jonah laughed as she clung to him like an octopus.
But Claire wouldn't let up, her voice rising in concern. "Oh, Jonah, you could have been hurt! What if you crashed? What if...?" Claire rained kisses down on Jonah, who was blushing. A huge grin blossomed on his face.
Selena looked on happily, maybe even a little grossed out by their public display of affection. Jonah deserved happiness. Anything that prevented him from being reckless, drinking, and driving was all good in Selena's book. The years had been a flury of attempts on their lives, and after Claire laid her life on the line and took a bullet for Selena. "I would say get a room, but they'd probably take that as a challenge." Selena thought.
Things rapidly changed between her brother, Jonah, and Claire. It started with a confession to her, in that painful moment by Jonah as he applied pressure on the wound on her leg. They were 15 years old at the time, and Claire's loyalty and friendship caused her to seek her approval. Selena did not care. It was mostly Claire being on the fence due to her duty and the world of Seers. This would make her a target as well, especially if she became family. After Claire and she talked it out together, the intense puppy love began. The two of them could not take their damn hands off of each other.
Liam, who had been watching the exchange with amusement, suddenly piped up. "You know, Selena can't even have a boyfriend," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of complaint. He wanted what Jonah and Claire had but with the champagne-soaked girl in front of him. She dominated his thoughts, dreams, and fantasies.
Selena, who had been observing the scene with interest, raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, her voice dripping with sass. "I want to wait until I'm older. I'm not ready for all that. "
Liam shrugged. "It just seems you're ready," he said. It sounded like a complaint.
Jakob punched him in the shoulder. "Hey. It's her choice." Jakob's eyes narrowed at his brother. They would compete for her affection when she showed an interest in them.
Selena's smile was enigmatic. "Maybe I want more than other girls do; I think I'll wait; I don't like unripened fruit," she said, her eyes glinting with mischief. She had no interest in teenage boys. She was a grown woman on the inside.
Jonah shook his head, rolling his eyes in exasperation as he watched his sister flirt shamelessly with their friends. He just didn't get it. Why did Selena seem to thrive on the attention? It was like she was trying to collect them like Pokemon or something.
The thought made him want to barf. He had studied their Imperial ancestors in history class, and he knew that they had often had numerous concubines and mistresses. But that was ancient history, not something that was relevant to modern times.
Jonah couldn't help but wonder if Selena's behavior was some kind of weird genetic throwback to their Imperial roots. He shook his head, chuckling wryly to himself. Nah, that was just crazy. Selena was just...Selena. Unique, confusing, and utterly funny. She was stringing them along for fun and not causing conflict.