Intended Series Collection: Books 1-6 by Abigail Grant (most important books to read TXT) 📕

wanted to kill her then, it only seems fitting that you finally fall in that same place.” Barron nods once more and just before vanishing, he says one last thing. “I will find you there.”

In a second, he is gone and I’m waking up in my big cozy bed, with the sunshine’s rays peering at me through the window. The warmth doesn’t comfort me like usual, though. All I feel is the dread that I may never get to feel the sun again, very soon. And tonight, after Kassy’s birthday party, I’ll be leaving the people I love most, maybe for the last time.

***

It occurs to me, as I sit next to Gavin in his car, that I haven’t told him I love him since that day in the woods after he saved me from Thrane. I want so badly to reach over and grab his hand, and tell him how much I still feel those words.

He is so focused on the road ahead of him while he drives us to Kassy’s birthday surprise at the Shakespeare Festival theater. I’ve never actually been out in public on any sort of date with Gavin before. The idea that I have fallen so hard for him and have yet to actually date him is completely bizarre to me. I wonder if he realizes the same thing as me.

All day, Gavin has been studying me like I’m some sort of enigma. I know he can tell there is something going on. I haven’t made it all that hard to figure out, considering I have been moping and feeling like I’m living my last days. How am I supposed to tell him the truth, though? He has proven multiple times that he will do anything to protect me, even at the cost of his own life.

It’s my turn to save him, though. I will fight as hard as I can to come back to him, but who knows if he will even want me back after all of my lies.

Gavin pulls up to the theater and looks over at me. He reaches for my hand and gives me a soft smile, not producing the dimple I love so much. “Lex said she would meet us here just before Kassy and Liam show up.”

I nod and try to smile back. “I’m really glad she volunteered to keep an eye out for Kass. I hate that something is always after me and threatening Kassy.” It’s the truth. I really hate it. I just hope for a better future than this.

Gavin leans over the gear shifter and places a gentle kiss on my lips. He whispers to me with his calm breath fanning my face. “Everything will work out, Aella. I promise you that.”

It’s hard to not believe his words when he talks to me this way. “Thanks. I know it will. Especially because I have you.”

Gavin smiles for real this time. Dimple and all. Thank heavens for that dimple.

We exit the car together and make our way up the wide steps to the front entrance in the setting sun. The streets and sidewalks glow with the wetness from today's rain, and the small breeze picks up my hair over my sweater hood. Gavin snuggles me closer into his side and I’m warmed again.

As time ticks on, bringing me closer to my big escape, all I wish is that I could freeze time altogether. That kind of magic could really come in handy at a time like this. Where’s one of those Wicca girls when I need one?

Chapter 11

I answer the phone ringing in the back pocket of my skinny jeans. “Hey, Aunt Mags,” I say as I make my way down the sidewalk with Kassy, Liam, Gavin, and Alexa. We all just left the theater and Kassy is seriously in heaven as she bounces ahead of the group, hand in hand with Liam.

“Hey my sweet girl! I wanted to wish my little Kass a happy birthday!” I have to pull the phone farther away from my ear at her way-too-loud excitement.

I smile at my sweet mom and put the phone on speaker for the city of Ashland to hear. “Aunt Mags, you’re on speaker now. Say hi.”

Her singing voice rings out through the phone speaker. “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Kassyyyyyyyy! Happy birthday to you!”

All five of us laugh at her craziness. Kassy’s giddy grin stretches from ear to ear. “Thank you, Auntie Maggie. You’re the best ever!” She tucks her hair behind her ears as she leans in closer to the phone.

“Your welcome, my darling. I hope you’re somewhere very public so my awful singing could bring attention to such a wonderful young woman who just turned nineteen!”

We laugh again, and a few people passing us turn to smile. Kassy grabs the phone. “It wasn’t awful, and yes, we are definitely in public. We actually just left the Shakespeare theater and are heading down the streets of Ashland. You’d absolutely love it! Very hippie.”

Kassy is right, Aunt Mags would kill for this kind of evening. “That sounds like so much fun! What a good idea, girls!”

I talk this time and wink at Liam. “Actually, it was all Liam’s idea. Kassy’s cute boyfriend planned the whole thing.”

Liam blushes and waves awkwardly at the phone speaker. “Hi, uh...Aunt Maggie. I’m Liam.”

I can almost feel her excitement coming through the phone, causing more embarrassment for her girls. “It’s so nice to meet you, Liam. I will be coming to finally see all of you this weekend. I cannot wait!”

I cringe, feeling terrible for leaving before I get to see my mom. I just hope she will understand. “By the way, is El’s cute boy there too?”

Gavin smiles and looks at me questioningly. As if he doesn’t know that he is my cute boy. Who else would it be?!

Kassy speaks up for me. “Yes, Gavin is here as well, and his twin sister, Alexa.”

Alexa and Gavin speak in unison. “Hi!” they both say