9 Chapter 8

Her hand quickly turned on her phone that was connected to her car and pressed play on her Spotify list. The sound of Radio Gaga from Queen started to come out and Zara turned up the volume in maximum so she could shut down the sound of sirens. Blue and Red light could be seen as Theseus looked at the side mirror. 

There was a loud crash as one of the race cars crashed into the police car making Theseus look behind at the side mirror. He turned back towards Zara who was still relaxing as she sped her car. Few race cars had taken another route but two police cars were still tailing behind them.

"We have to lose them," said Theseus, as he took out his gun.

"What does it look like I'm doing," Zara retorted and she glanced at the gun in his hand, "And there's no need for that,". 

"They're getting close," Theseus frowned.

"Just watch and learn, Throwback," replied Zara using the nickname. 

"What did you just call me?," demanded Theseus.

But before he received any responses, Zara took a swerve and went to the opposite lane of the highway. At once, horns were blaring as she passed cars that were coming to them, making Theseus's eyes went wide. Behind them, they could hear the sound of screeching and crashing as one of the police's cars smashed into the upcoming cars and dividers. 

"One down, one to go," Zara laughed.

"And I thought I'm the crazy one," mumbled Theseus, still holding his gun as he glanced again at the police car behind them. 

Zara was still driving in the opposite lane where she passed cars and trucks like she had done it millions of times. That's when Theseus noticed, they were heading to Tower Bridge and the bascule were slowly lifting up. 

"Zara..," said Theseus slowly when he realized what Zara was about to do. 

"What did I tell you about gluing your mouth?," said Zara as she pressed down her accelerator and her car shot up on the lifted bascule.

"Oh shit," Theseus cursed as he gripped at the edge of the seat trying to hold himself. 

With a graceful jump, the car soared over the bascule and landed on the other side and Zara let out a cheer as she swerved her car smoothly. Unfortunately, the police car didn't make it as they feared for their own lives and thought that if they jumped, they might not make it. Zara finally steered her McLaren to the right lane and Theseus took a breath of relief. 

They were heading right in the center of London where people were walking in the pedestrian walk, shopping and sightseeing. Some jumped out of the way as Zara swerved her car in the corner, beating every traffic light, taking shortcuts, and some ran away taking refuge in a shop, screaming as they passed. Soon, they were joined by a few more cars including Carlos's Dodge Viper. 

"Well hello there, Carlos," Zara smirked as she lurched her car forward, passing Carlos. 

Few minutes later they were out of the city and were racing back towards the starting line when suddenly Carlos's car was next to her, racing side by side. Carlos pressed his nitrous making his car jump forward and speed up passing her McLaren. 

"Shit," cursed Theseus but Zara just smiled.

"Too early, mate," said Zara to herself. 

They were nearly the finishing line and Carlos was still in front of her when Zara unlocked the safety button near her steering wheel and pressed at a small red button. Suddenly, her car jerked forward and there was a whooshing sound as a bit of a spark fire spurted from behind the car, making the car swooped fast and passed the Dodge and straight to the finishing line. There was a roaring sound of cheering crowds and as Zara slowed down, Theseus stared at her, couldn't believe what just happened.

"What was that?," asked Theseus, taking off his seatbelt.

"What are you talking about?," asked Zara looking at him.

"That thing you just did, I saw light purple fire and suddenly it's like your car had a super sonic power," said Theseus.

"That is called the Phoenix shockwave, Throwback," smiled Zara, "One of our own creations,". 

But before Theseus could reply back, Zara's door was thrown open and she was pulled into a hug as both Ezra and Leon wrapped their arms around her and laughed. Dylan beamed at her while Theo ruffled her hair making her scowled and punched his shoulder playfully. The others crowded around her, taking turns in congratulating her. 

Theseus stood nearby with the rest of the Hunters until the Dodge Viper parked next to the McLaren and Carlos stepped out. Zara smirked at him as he grudgingly walked towards her handing his car key. 

"Please take care of her," said Carlos sadly, "This is actually a gift from my late brother years ago,". 

Zara went quiet for a while and she looked at the car thoughtfully.

"You know what, Carlos," said Zara, "I'll give the car back to you in a few months once I got bored with it,". 

"You'd do that?," asked Carlos, looking at her in disbelief. 

"Oh yeah, I just wanted to try on the Dodge and test how it feels like to drive it," replied Zara, "I'll let you know once I'm done with it,".

"Wow.. Thank you, angel," said Carlos looking relieved. 

"Anytime," replied Zara shortly before turning back towards her family.

Dylan put her arms around his sister and kissed the top of her head. 

"Come on, let's collect our prize," said Dylan.

"Wait, hold on," said Zara and she turned around looking at Theseus, "Hey Throwback, you and your guys are staying at ours, right?,".

"Yeah," replied Theseus, "Why? You have more space in your bed, love?,".

She ignored the last sentence and merrily tossed the Dodge's key to him.

"Then you're driving that as a punishment for riding my car without permission," replied Zara.

"What did you say?," asked Theseus, looking at her in fury.

"Oh you heard me loud and clear," Zara flipped her hair and with that she walked back with her brother who chuckled at her nerves. 

Theseus watched her as she laughed around with her family. 

'I'm not the only one who will get the punishment, love' 

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They reached the Phoenix headquarters half an hour past midnight and Jackson had already closed his garage while Ben was sitting outside in the patio with a file on his lap and a pen in his hand. As they parked outside the building, both Ben and Jackson stood up to look at the prize possession that they were going to use for the heist. 

"Nice job," said Ben as he looked at the Toyota Supra that Ezra had won.

"Yeah.. But Ezra's right, it needs a tuning," said Jake as he got out of the car, "And it needs a good tank of nitrous,". 

One by one, the others got out of their car with Dylan and Megan leading them inside the Common Room. They made toast to the winners and drank until Theseus noticed Zara, Ezra, and Jackson sneaking out of the entrance door. He let himself blending in with the Phoenix first until he excuse himself to get his luggage bag in his car. 

When he walked outside, he saw that all three of them were facing the cars that the three Phoenix had won and chatting quietly. All of the cars had their hoods open and Jackson was looking at the engines. 

"Think you can do it?," asked Zara quietly at her cousin. 

"I'll have a look at them in the morning, then Harvey and I will work on it after breakfast," Jackson replied. 

"We need to check if there's a leakage on the radiator," said Ezra, "Jake told me the temperature's keep getting up in the Toyota,".

"The previous driver must have had an idea about winning a car so that he could get a new one," said Zara with a small chuckle.

"Well fat chance, he had no idea that he's dealing with a Phoenix," replied Ezra.

"And there's a problem with the brakes in the Dodge," said Theseus suddenly emerging himself from the dark, startled all three of them. 

"Thank God you didn't drive that, kiddo," mumbled Jackson glancing at Zara.

"What are you doing here?," asked Zara, narrowing her eyes.

"Just getting my stuff," replied Theseus, "Couldn't help hearing you guys talk about those cars,". 

Zara rolled her eyes before she realized that Theseus was still staring at her while both Ezra and Jackson frowned. Ezra then walked and stood in front of his sister, blocking her from Theseus's view. 

"Do you have something against my sister?," asked Ezra, crossing his arms on his chest, "You've been staring at her a lot since you guys met,". 

At once, Jackson walked forward and stood next to Zara in a protective manner, his arms blocking her so that no one could get through him. Theseus tilted his head so he could see his Goddess and smirked at her. 

"You know, I can still get her even if there's a hundred of you standing around her," said Theseus coolly. 

"By killing them?," asked Zara furiously, "Because if you do hurt my family, I will kill you myself before you could even touch me,".

"Still threatening me, love?," Theseus sneered at her. 

"It's not just an empty one, Throwback," retorted Zara. 

They had a staring contest after that and both Ezra and Jackson had clenched their fist when suddenly they heard someone coughing behind Theseus. They quickly looked at the person and it turned out to be Megan.