Intended Series Collection: Books 1-6

by Abigail Grant

  She sits straight up in her small bed, nearly hitting her head on the mounted bookshelf above her. “Why haven’t you come around, Barron? I thought you were going to meet me in Granbury, but all I’ve seen are a bunch of unfit demons.”

  Her words are confident and I am surprised at the suddenly brave child who once had such fear about her. “I wrongly thought that I could send someone after you to end my business for me. Clearly, you have been hiding a few things from me.”

  The demon boy, Sam came to me and told me of her power with the water. I knew she would have to find her element eventually, I only did not expect it to grow at this rate.

  Aella pulls her blanket up higher on her chest, the cold from my Hell getting to her. She does not know that I communicate with her from Hell. If I could easily come to her in person, I would.

  “I’ve learned a lot, Barron. You can’t hurt me as easily as you hoped. Looks like you’ll have to come yourself for once.” Her bravado is impressive from someone so unknowing of the world.

  I step closer to her and she flinches, showing the little girl inside the warrior. I place my hand on her brunette friend where she lay on the floor next to the tall boy. I cannot feel the girl, but the show of it is all that is needed. “This one here is special to you, is she not?” I ask her.

  Aella freezes in her spot, and her bravado falls. “Do not threaten her, Barron. Please just get over it all and move on.”

  She does not know my determination. I cannot move on with unfinished business. This is what my death is, and has been for so many years. “Next time you see me will be the day of your death. I will not see you like this again, Ganis.”

  She tries to stand, but I leave her dream and return to my dark cell in the underworld. I will do all that I can to confront that girl, and I only have a short time until I am freed from here. When I am, then Aella Ganis will know what a demon is really capable of.

  Aella’s Letter From Her Mother

  June 20 th , 2000

  Dear My Sweet Aella,

  This may never get to you, but I'm writing in the hopes that if anything happens to me and your father, you will still know the love I have for you. I’ve had a hard life, and I pray with all my heart that you don't suffer the same childhood that I did. I worry that you and I will never get to know one another.

  Right now, you are only the size of a small cantaloupe inside of me. I have not seen your eyes, or heard your laugh, and I don’t even know if Aella will be your name when it comes down to it. What I do know is that you are my daughter. I will do everything in my power to make sure you are safe and loved for the rest of your life.

  Joseph, your father, has been the greatest thing to ever happen to me. For the past two years, he has shown me more love, kindness, and dedication than I have in my entire body. If you grow to know the kind of love that I have for your dad and that he has for me, then I believe you are a lucky woman.

  I don’t know when you'll see this letter or even if you will see it, but I want you to know that I might not get to spend your life with you. If you are not able to know your mother, I hope you will get to meet her in this letter, and in all the letters in this journal.

  For a long time, I wrote to a loved one. It was a person I have never met, someone that isn’t a person at all. I want you to have my journal when you are grown, and read every page as if you are the one I speak to. That way, you can feel the love I have for you, even if I can’t be there to hold you or raise you up into the beautiful woman that I know you will become.

  I don’t know how well your dad and I will be able to protect you, but I do know that we will not fail in showing you love as much as we possibly can.

  And one more thing my sweet girl. Do not run. Don't leave your people in order to protect them. Joseph and I ran, and we have been running for a long time. After all that time, we are still being hunted.

  What I want from you is to make friends, have a family, and build yourself an army of people who will hold onto you, share power with you, and fight by your side. Never give up. Your dad and I did our best with what was handed to us, but you are not us.

  When the time comes that you start to develop your strength, speed, and the magic within you, you will no longer be protected from the magic that keeps you safe. At that point, you will need to protect yourself. No matter what happens, if that demon finds you, do not let him win because you are meant for greater things. Nothing will stand in your way if you don’t let it. I love you with all of my heart.

  Love forever and always,

  Mom and Dad

  P.S. Be ready for that strength within you, your ancestry line is more powerful than you could ever know. You are capable of the greatest our world has to offer, so don't settle for less than extraordinary. I love you, my little warrior.

  BONDED

  Part 5 of the Intended Series

  By: Abigail Grant

  Chapter 1

  “I’m going to miss you so stinking much!” Luna’s wild curls shake with the back and forth motion of her head. She is having a hard time accepting that I have to go back to Oregon with Gavin and the others. “I mean, I just barely got a cousin and now we don’t even get to be together everyday and get into cousin mischief!”

  Luna’s round eyes and pouty bottom lip make me want to join the complaint, but I know better. “I’m sorry, Luna. I wish we could spend more time together too, but I really need to get back home and figure out the next step.”

  I wrap my arms around my new cousin. Her small body sighs against me. “Okay, but you have to call me all the time!”

  “Me too!” Aunt Morgan whines along with Luna.

  I pull away and look up at Morgan. She sports a sad smile for our farewell, with the early glisten of tears in her green eyes. I never have known her to be much of a crier, just like my adoptive mom, Maggie. But I guess I don’t really know either of them as well as I always thought.

  Ever since Morgan told me she’s a Wicca, she knew my parents, and has a daughter , I can’t be sure of how well I know anything anymore. For all I know, she’ll sprout a killer set of wings and start to fly. Now, that’d be a trick.

  Of course, strangling a demon without actually touching them was trick enough from my sweet aunt. I don’t want to even guess what she might be capable of.

  Morgan touches my cheek gently and pulls Luna under her arm. “We love you, sweetie. I’m glad we can finally talk openly, without so many secrets.”

  Aunt Mags opens the front door of Morgan’s house and comes to my side. “Alright, looks like everything is set.” She watches my sad face. “You ready, hon?” she asks me.

  I nod reluctantly. “Ready as I’ll ever be I guess.” We all join in one last group hug, and Aunt Mags and I exit through the door that still hangs open.

  The front lawn is covered in a light early morning frost and the chilly air that hits my face makes me shiver. I make quick steps toward the waiting black Chrysler, hoping that the heat is turned on full blast. The door opens before I even reach the vehicle and Neo’s blonde head pops out to greet me with a cheesy grin.

  “Hurry in here before your little baby Seer hands fall off,” he chides.

  I scoff and squeeze into the empty seat beside him as Aunt Mags takes the driver’s spot. “I’m not a baby Seer! You saw me yesterday, right? With all the crazy water tricks and life saving?” I wave a hand at him. “Nevermind, I almost forgot. You were the unconscious one I was busy saving!”

  Aunt Mags snorts from the front seat as she backs out of the driveway into the barely risen sunshine.

  Neo’s mouth falls open and his eyes turn to slits. “Whatever. I woulda survived anyways.” He looks away from me and then slowly tilts his head back in my direction. “Okay, fine. Thanks again, El. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  I give him a curt nod. “Well, I’m just glad you’re coming to Oregon with me and the gang. They’ll love having your snide comments to liven things up.”

  He laughs at my
comment and his floppy golden hair slides in front of his eyebrows. With a quick flip of his head, the hair is back where it belongs and he sighs against the leather seat beside me. “So, how many people are in this gang you speak of?”

  I can tell he’s nervous about meeting new people. From the moment I met him, he has been clear about his recluse lifestyle and the fact that he doesn’t totally trust Seers. He never fully went into detail about his life with his father before running away from home, but I know abuse was involved.

  It’s not surprising that he is so strong and powerful after having to constantly fight someone off when he was just a teenager. Last night, Neo briefly met Gavin, but he has a whole load of people that are going to swarm him when we reach the airport. I’d be just as nervous if I were in his shoes.

  I hold up my fingers to count the group of people he’ll need to meet in the coming days. “Uh… two normal humans, and about a dozen Seers.” I shrug. “But, you met Gavin last night, so that’s one down, right?”

  He groans and keeps his eyes focused on the passing trees along the Texas road. He gives me no other response, so I don’t push him. I get how he’s feeling, but I’m also confident that his life will only get better.

  That is, if we can manage to defeat Barron and whatever army of hell demons he sends after us.

  Aunt Mags turns to me from the driver’s seat as we pull up to the airport’s rental car drop off. “Here we are cuties! Everyone is meeting us here, so grab your stuff and head on inside.”

  Neo grabs our two backpacks from the trunk of the black car, our only belongings as runaways. I turn to head into the airport lounge when the most gorgeous, tall, dark and handsome man exits the front doors with a sweet smile and cheek dimple shining back at me.

  I run to Gavin and he lifts me easily into his big arms, placing the most gentle kiss on my lonely lips. “I thought you’d gone and left me again,” he whispers in my ear.

  I look up into his sparkling golden eyes and raise a single eyebrow at him. “Oh, Gavin. I gave you a promise. I believe the terms were forever, right?”

  His smile broadens and I only want to kiss him again. Of course, the surrounding company pulls me out of my Intended’s spell .

  “Ahem.” A throat clears behind Gavin and I turn to my best friend, Kassy, hands resting on her hips and eyebrows risen.

  I leave Gavin and hug Kassy. “I missed you too, Kassy,” I reassure her.

  After finally seeing her, Liam, and Alexa last night, we were all pretty exhausted and crashed as a group in my small library/bedroom of my parent’s old house.

  All I wanted was to stay up forever talking to the people I missed most in the world, but as it turns out, creating a giant wave in a lake with only one’s mind takes a lot out of a girl. Or at least it did for me.

  “We have a lot to catch up on, so this is going to be a long flight of constant chit-chat. I hope you’re okay with that?” I ask Kassy.

  She smiles. “Oh yeah, I’m okay with that.” She winks at me and we all head toward the small airplane that will take us home.

  I turn toward Neo as we are about to board the jet and his inflamed eyes are locked on something behind me. I whip around, ready for a fight but only see Alexa placing a bag in the side cabinet of the plane.

  I step toward Neo. “What’s up Neo?” I ask him, worried about his well being through all of the newness.

  He sighs and drops his chin to his chest, looking defeated. “Crap, crap, crap,” he whispers to nobody.

  I nudge his shoulder and raise my hands in question. “What? Tell me what’s wrong,” I nearly shout, concern overflowing me.

  He picks his head back up and glances back at Alexa as she climbs the steps into the jet. “That girl there,” he says to me quietly. “I’m not certain, but I have the strongest feeling and I’m pretty sure... she is my Intended.”

  Eeeek!

  Chapter 2

  Neo and I are the last to enter the small plane. It’s beautiful inside the jet cabin, with ornate chrome lining every wall and white leather plush seats for all of us passengers to sink into. My mouth falls open as I study the intricate flower designs and smell the clean scent coming off of the recently washed cream-colored carpet.

  I glance over and notice Kassy with the exact same expression that I sport. My eyebrows raise at her and we share an excited smile. “How on earth did we score a private jet to take us home?” Kassy nearly shouts out her question.

  Aunt Mags grins at Kassy from her reclined chair near the head of the plane. “Well, lucky for us, my big sis has been around these parts forever and knows just about everyone. Morgan has a handsome man-friend that owns this plane and really wants to get on her good side.”

  Kassy, Alexa, and I all giggle together. Alexa comes to my side with a smile stretching her wild freckles across her pink cheeks. “I want to sit by you, El. Your friend can…” She pauses when she looks up at Neo standing behind me and her already rosy cheeks turn a deep crimson color.

  Alexa flips her bouncing red curls behind her and her golden eyes darken at the sight of the handsome boy who has quickly become one of my best friends. I step out of her way, so I can properly introduce the two of them, and I place a hand on each of their shoulders.

  “Lex, this is Neo. I met him a couple of weeks ago here in Granbury.” I turn to Neo, whose eyes are locked onto the beautiful friend to my left. “And, Neo. This is Gavin’s twin sister, Alexa Cole.”

  Neo’s head quickly turns to me and his eyebrows press together. “Your Intended’s sister ? Oh, boy.” He releases an almost laugh with his exhale of nervous breath.

  Neo reaches his hand out to Alexa, but she pauses and just stares at it. “Uh… I don’t know what to do here.” Alexa giggles and twirls her fingers together.

  I step away so they can figure out the next step and my back presses up against a warm chest. Gavin’s arms wrap around me and together we silently watch his sister meet her Intended for the first time.

  Neo takes a step closer to Alexa and his tall frame towers over hers. “Well, usually when a person holds a hand out to someone, the other person will grab it and sorta shake it.” He chuckles down at her. “Crazy, aint it?”

  Alexa rolls her eyes and grins back at Neo. “I understand what a handshake is, captain obvious.” Her retort pulls another laugh from Neo. Alexa shifts side to side in her spot, her blue tennis shoes tapping lightly against the cabin floor. “I just have this feeling…”

  “What feeling?” Neo asks softly, taking another small step closer to her.

  I feel like a creeper watching them, but my curiosity is in total control. I scan the room and all other eyes are on the scene as well. I guess I’m not the only creeper on this plane.

  The one person looking slightly confused though, is poor Liam. He stands near where Kassy sits and his blue eyes flash back and forth between the couple and then land on me. He raises both of his shoulders, and I just shake my head at him with a smile. I’ll explain it to him later.

  I turn my attention back to Alexa who takes a deep breath and flicks her hair back again. “I just have the feeling that if I shake your hand, things are going to change real fast, and I don’t know if I’m ready… I mean, I thought I was ready a long time ago, but crazy stuff has happened and this is very sudden and…”

  Alexa’s crazy rambling is cut off by Neo’s gentle hand on her cheek. She sucks in a sharp breath and her whole body freezes. “Oh,” she says simply.

  Neo smiles down at her. “There, now the hard part is over. Are you still kickin’ in there?”

  Alexa reaches up and grabs the hand still on her cheek. She smiles at Neo and shakes her head at him. “I honestly don’t know,” she answers him.

  “Take your seats! We’re ready for takeoff!” A man’s voice interrupts the momentous meeting from somewhere in the cockpit.

  I turn to Gavin and kiss him on the cheek. His stubbly face tickles my lips and I can’t help the smile that comes. “I’m going to sit with the gi
rls, but I’ll join you later, if that’s alright?”

  He pulls me in tight before releasing me with a nod. “Make girl-talk quick. I’ve had your lips on my mind all morning and I don’t know how long I can hold myself back.” His golden eyes watch me intensely and my whole body shivers.

  I open my mouth to respond, but I only manage to stutter a “m… kay” at him before he kisses my nose and wanders to an empty seat near Liam and Aunt Mags.

  Oh, man. That boy of mine sure knows how to make my mind stop whatever thought sat on the horizon only moments before. Alexa grabs my arm and I’m pulled from my daydream.

  “Let’s go sit by Kass and catch up.” She tows me toward the empty seat beside Kassy and we huddle together.

  Kassy nudges Alexa with a huge smile on her face. “Don’t you want to go sit by your you-know-what ?” she whispers.

  Alexa shrugs. “Right now, my brain can only take one thing at a time, and I need to have my girl time.”

  Alexa’s head falls into her hands and Kassy and I both laugh. The poor girl has to meet her soulmate on an airplane full of friends and family. The awkwardness of it all is too good.

  The jet jumps and I can feel the pull of us rising from the ground. It’s only my second time on a plane and this experience is already so different than the last. Last time, the plane was crowded with strangers and about a hundred times larger than the small jet.

  I look around at the loved ones surrounding me and I feel so at home here with them. No secrets. No more hiding and wondering. It’s finally time to really see what I’m capable of as a Seer woman, and to bring powerful people closer to me instead of pushing them away.