I lay back on my pillow and stare up at the grooves in the white ceiling. It’s crazy to me that everyone is willing to stay shut away from the world because of me. I expected the others to complain about something but so far they’re all acting like it’s no big deal.
I sigh. “Kass, I can’t believe Liam knows about all of this. I hate that I didn’t get to see his reaction!” I would’ve loved to see the look on his goofy face when he learned of this whole strange world.
Kassy laughs. “He was way less cool about it than I was, trust me.” She is silent for a moment. “I thought he was going to run away and leave me.”
I turn to look at her and she is watching the ceiling like I was. Her pink lips are formed into a small smile. She opens her mouth to continue telling me what happened between her and Liam. “It was about a week after you left. I had been telling him that you went back home but I could tell he knew I was lying. I was sad that you were gone, but he knew it was more than just missing my friend.” She turns to look at me. “I was so incredibly worried, El.”
“I’m so sorry, Kass. I wish I could go back and change things.” I want to cry again but I hold back the tears that have been way too frequent lately.
She tightens her bottom lip and shrugs against the bed. “I really do get why you left. Liam was really mad though when I told him. At first he didn’t really believe what I was saying. I’m sure in his mind I was completely bonkers.” Another small laugh escapes her. “He agreed to go with me to Gavin’s house and I had Lex show him some supernatural moves. Let’s just say, he was convinced… and freaked!”
I laugh alongside her and pull my blanket up higher to snuggle it against me. “Poor sweet Liam,” I say.
She nods in agreement. “I know. I felt bad to put it all on him. He actually walked away after that. It’s then that I thought he would break up with me. I was sure he wouldn’t come back.” She sighs at the memory. “It was only an hour though, when he came back and kissed me senseless.” Kassy’s cheeks pinken more than usual. She turns her head back to me again. “He told me he wanted to marry me someday.”
I blanch. I sit straight up in bed with my mouth dropped open. “He what?” I shout the question at her. “Are you guys engaged Kass?” I hate that I missed my best friend’s engagement.
She corrects me. “No, we are not engaged. He didn’t actually ask me to marry him, so I didn’t give an answer. It was only a statement.” She sits up next to me and crosses her legs. She angles her body in my direction. “I would say yes if he did ask, though.” Her smile is addictive.
I can’t help but join in on her excitement and a small squeal sneaks out of my throat. “I am so amazed at that silly friend of ours. He has turned into quite the man, hasn’t he?”
She shrugs again and flips her hair behind her shoulder. “He is still a very big goofball, but I love him so stupidly much, it’s actually ridiculous.”
I shake my head at her. “It’s amazing, Kass.”
She giggles and shoves my shoulder. We talk about all of the things that happened while we were away from one another. She guffaws at all of my retelling of demon encounters and I laugh at all of her and Liam’s adventures. Thankfully, it doesn’t feel like we missed too much of each other's lives. I feel like I’m home again.
“... and then he kissed me. I swear, I thought it was Gavin!” I tell Kassy about the moment I had to tell Neo that I wasn’t interested in him.
Kassy covers her mouth with one of her small hands. “Oh, no!” she nearly shouts. She shakes her head. “First Liam kisses you, and now Neo. Boys really need to ask a girl a question before just jumping right on in.”
My eyes widen to their fullest roundness and I’m sure my cheeks are ruby red. “Liam told you about that?” I’m mortified.
She smiles and nods her head at me. “Oh yeah. He was pretty embarrassed about the whole thing but I told him I didn’t care. I mean, my exploits with Max are enough to be embarrassed about.”
Her mention of the large demon-possessed guy that was killed by Thrane sends a small ping to my heart. Sometimes I can still feel the pain of him strangling me, if I think hard enough about the memory. I try not to do that though.
I tilt my head at her and feel the need to apologize about kissing Liam, even though it was completely unwelcomed. “I’m sorry he kissed me, Kass. I wanted to tell you, but more than that, I wanted you both to just be insanely happy forever.”
Kassy waves a hand at me. “Oh, you quit that. I wasn’t worried about it as soon as Liam told me, and I’m still not at all concerned. I’m actually flattered that he liked me so much that he was trying to make me jealous.” She raises a single eyebrow at me. “And you both bicker like six-year-old siblings so much, no passion could be found in that duo.”
We laugh together but the laughter stops when we hear Gram calling us in for breakfast. “Girls! Ya better come eat, before I feed it to the boys!”
Kassy and I look at one another and her eyes squint into an evil stare. She places her hands on the bed on both sides of her, bracing herself. “Last one there is the rotten egg!” she yells and dives off the bed toward the door.
Guess it’s time to show Kassy my superspeed. I will never again be the rotten egg.
Chapter 5
I lean against the tall wooden back of my barstool, completely stuffed with delicious, warm bacon and three large, buttery pancakes. Gram really knows how to make a person want to go back to bed and hibernate for the winter. Thank heavens for that woman.
I watch Gram put the last of the pancakes into a clear tupperware container. “So, what’s this Kassy mentioned to me about a family reunion in Greece?” I ask her.
Gram turns to me with a huge smile. “Oh, yes! It will be so fun. We leave in less than a week. I hope you and your mom can come.” She looks over at Aunt Mags where she sips her morning coffee on the window bench seat and watches the large trees blow in the breeze.
Aunt Mags looks up at us and places a hand on her chest. “You guys want me to come? That sounds like so much fun!” She smiles up at me. “You know, El, Greece is where your dad’s family lives.”
I raise my eyebrows and sit up straighter. “Wait! Do I have grandparents?” I would love to have grandparents. My mother and father never mentioned any and Aunt Mag’s parents passed before I ever met them. I remember them sending me cards on my birthdays, though.
Aunt Mag’s nods. “I haven’t talked to them in a lot of years, but I do believe they’re still there.” Her head drops for a moment and a thin line forms on her lips. “Your mom and dad never told them you existed.”
I gasp. “Why would they do that?” I ask her, completely shocked.
She shrugs. “I really wish I knew the answer to that, sweetie. Your mom wanted so badly to keep everyone out of harm's way. I guess it was just another precaution to protect others.”
I shake my head, amazed that I have family out in the world that can tell me more about my parents. I can actually be connected to my father like I never could before. I always felt like my bloodline was just severed. I almost can’t fathom that I have real blood relatives… and I get to meet them in a week.
***
I’m training with Alexa and I can’t get thoughts of the future out of my head. My dream of Barron last night was surprisingly tame for him, but I know he is going to be here soon. I can almost feel the incoming danger, even though I have no clue when I’ll be needing to finally fight.
I space out near one of the bows hanging on the wall in front of me. I’m still long enough for Alexa to throw a rock at my left shoulder. I groan and grab my arm. “Ow! Son of a…” I trail off, trying to hold my tongue.
I peer over at Alexa and her hands are resting on her hips above her high waisted, skin-tight blue yoga pants.
We have been dodging each other's rock throwing attacks for a half hour and she only has a small sheen of sweat just below her red hairline. I, on the other hand, am sweating a lot more and panting a bit from trying t
o avoid her throws. Yeah, I’m a mess.
“El, you’re doing it again! You are spaced out and not paying attention!” She grabs her hair in a large wavy red bushel and ties it quickly with the hair-tie she keeps on her wrist. “What’s going on?”
I shrug and rub the sore spot on my shoulder where the rock made an impact. “I can’t stop my brain from worrying, like usual.”
Alexa walks closer to me and pulls me to sit on the polished wooden floor with her. She crosses her legs and leans toward me. “Let’s talk about it, then. I’m going to really listen this time, so no hiding and lying.” Her golden eyes watch me, unblinking.
I sigh. “I promise, no more lying. Barron visited me last night again, in my dream.”
Alexa growls and rolls her eyes. “That bastard!” She shouts the word and I can’t help my small flinch. She is a scary woman when she wants to be.
“Honestly, Lex. I feel like he doesn’t actually want to kill me. I know it probably sounds stupid, but he is different than the other demons I’ve met.” Still evil though.
Alexa raises one eyebrow. “Different? I’m pretty sure that is impossible for demon-kind.”
She is right, I’m sure. I haven’t been in this world very long, so I am likely just being hopeful. I lay back on the hard floor with a harumph. “Yeah, I don’t doubt that he’ll try to kill me either way.”
Alexa is quiet as my mind continues to stress. I have been thinking about the safety of a couple certain humans as well, so why not talk to my trainer about it? I sit back up. “Lex, I think we should send Kassy and Liam somewhere safe for a while.”
Alexa sits up straighter. “I was thinking the exact same thing! And I know just where they can go, too!”
I tilt my head at her. “Where?”
“England!” she shouts and my eyebrows raise.
Before I can ask why England, she continues. “Cy’s fiancé, Amalia is from England and I have been talking to her a lot lately. She has a huge family over there and she already offered her home in case anybody needs it.”
“Wow!” I say. “That is just perfect, isn’t it?” I mull over the idea, rolling my tongue around in my mouth. “I guess I’ll have to break the news to Kass, then…”
“What news?” Kassy’s voice breaks into the gym, bouncing off the high ceilings.
I spin around to see her and Liam standing at the entrance, eavesdropping on our conversation.
Crap…
***
I’ve spent the last two hours convincing Kassy and Liam to leave our little army and go to England. We ventured into the main house where Gavin joined in on the argument. Then Cy, Amalia, and Neo showed up to the party with their opinions.
It turns out that everyone is in agreement about protecting our human friends. Since I have been gone, Amalia has gotten close to the group and become good friends with both Kassy and Alexa.
I’m almost jealous that I’ve missed the budding friendship, but I made my own choices for a reason. It’ll just take some time to catch up.
“Okay!” Liam shouts above the chatter in Gavin’s large living room.
All eyes turn to him and he wraps an arm around Kassy’s shoulders. “We’ll go to England, guys. I’m happy to take a vacation with Kass any day.” He smiled down at her and she sighs.
Kassy shakes her head. “If everyone wants us to go, we’ll go. I just thought that maybe I could be helpful in the big fight, ya know?” Her eyes fall on me and the brown in them is sad.
I go to her and Liam and wrap them both in a hug. “I love you both. I just can’t risk something happening to you.”
Amalia comes to my side, her dark curly bob bouncing with each movement of her head. Her dark cheeks stretch with a big smile. “You will love England. It’s quite romantic.” Her English accent frames the statement with its romantic lull.
“Oh yeah! I can agree with that, babe!” Cy’s voice breaks in and Amalia’s smile only grows.
A small pink blush tries to pierce through her brown cheeks, faint against her dark complexion. She wraps her arms around Cy’s muscly neck and he kisses her sweetly.
“Cut it out, you two! Save it for Friday!” Alexa groans at the two almost newlyweds and everyone laughs.
The kissing ceases and Cy rolls his eyes. “Come on, cuz! You’ve got your own Intended now.” He nods to where Neo sits, causing him to hold his hands up in surrender. “You two will be in the same spot as us soon enough.”
Alexa’s mouth drops open with a bright red blush erasing her many freckles. “Cy!” she shouts and her eyes fall on Neo.
Neo laughs and stands from his seat. “Well, since I’m in the spotlight…” He walks toward Alexa and bows before her. “Alexa Cole, will you go to the wedding with me this Friday?”
The group erupts in a synchronized “awww” and Alexa shakes her wild red waves with a happy grin gracing her small face. “Yes, Neo. I will.” She takes his hand.
Feeling romantic, I grab hold of my own Intended and kiss his cheek. “I love you,” I whisper in his ear, trying to make up for all the times I couldn’t say it to him.
He looks down at me with dark golden eyes and a half smile. “I love you more,” he whispers back.
Very doubtful, Mr. Cole.
Chapter 6
“That looks disgusting, Maggie!” Kassy’s pink nose scrunches up as she watches Aunt Mags create her mixture.
Aunt Mags throws all kinds of herbs and mushy stuff that I have no name for into a large red mixing bowl. She stands in Gram’s usual spot, but that doesn’t stop Gram from peering over her shoulder out of curiosity for the witches’ brew.
After the battle of convincing Kassy and Liam to leave Oregon two days ago, Aunt Mags offered up her Wicca skills as an extra coat of protection over my friends. She described it as an invisible cloak, which sounded pretty cool to me.
I could really use one of those, too.
I can’t say I’d take it if offered though, and not because of the armpit stench coming off of the brown gunk. I need to be visible so Barron will finally come to me and get his butt kicked.
Liam leans over my right shoulder and takes a whiff of the brew. “Ugh. That’s bad.” He scrunches his nose up right along with Kassy.
Aunt Mags shakes her head and adds water to the bowl. “It’s not that bad, complainers.” She stops mixing and pours the mixture into two mugs of boiling hot water. It dissolves into the water and looks slightly less awful.
“Here.” She sets the mugs on the counter bar in front of Kassy and Liam and lays a hand on the tops of each cup. Her eyes close and some of her dark hair falls in her face as she bows her head. She doesn’t say anything until her eyes fly open again and she smiles wide. “Drink up.”
My friends and I look at eachother and back at Aunt Mags. My eyes are wide at my mom. “Did you just do a magic spell, Aunt Mags?” I’m fascinated by what just happened, even though it seemed like nothing at all.
She nods at me. “I did do a spell. Though not really with words. It’s more like I released some of my magic into the drinks with my mind. Words are unnecessary most of the time.”
I chuckle at her. “Man, I wish you showed me this stuff sooner. It’s amazing.”
Aunt Mags smiles at me over the island and Gram lays a hand on her back. “Oh yeah! I’ve never seen such a thing before. Of course, you’re the only Wicca to ever come into my home.” Gram’s sweet face is friendly toward my mom.
“Ew!” Kassy shouts next to me, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “That was the worst thing I ever tasted!” She turns to Aunt Mags. “No offense, Maggie.” She grimaces.
Liam shrugs next to me after downing his magical drink. “Eh. I don’t think it was that bad.”
Kassy’s mouth falls open. “How is that possible?”
Liam looks to me for advice but gets none. “I’m sorry, but I have to say that green stuff you tried to feed me last month is worse.”
Ooooh.
“It was spinach, Liam! You know,
the stuff Popeye eats to get strong !” She’s pissed now and I step away from the counter, clearing the way for her inevitable attack on Liam.
Liam holds up both of his hands in surrender. “Okay! Spinach is the best! I loooove spinach!” He gives in to the adorable woman who is almost half his size.
Gram laughs. “Smart boy,” she mutters and I can’t help the ridiculous laugh that escapes me.
Kassy joins in on my laughter and tears fill my eyes. I wipe my tears away and shake my head. “From laughing to crying in point zero three seconds. Oh boy, I’ve lost it.”
Kass wraps me in a warm hug and her brown hair smothers me with it’s coconutty scent. “I’m going to miss you too, El,” she says next to my ear.
Liam joins in with his freakishly long arms and hugs all the way around us both. “I’ll miss you too, even though you’re always so mean to me.”
Kassy shakes with giggles. “That means she loves you, Liam.”
I nod. “I love you both. And I’ll miss you guys like crazy. Don’t have too much fun without me.”
I pull away from my friends and wipe my wet eyes again. “Now go brush your teeth. You guys smell like witches’ brew!”
They laugh and all I hear from behind me is a “hey!” from Aunt Mags, only inciting more giggles from us rowdy kids.
***
The new morning frost crunches beneath my brown winter boots with each step. My speed is fast today, and the forest trees fly by in brown and green blurs. I jump over a downed tree and find my footing easily on the other side. The wind’s chill is harsh against my bare arms as I continue to fly farther into the thickest part of the woods.
Though I can feel the cold prickle against me, it’s not the same as the winter cold I’ve felt as an undeveloped human. I feel amazing. The cold touches me but doesn’t reach into my bones, instead it just falls off of me.
The sky above me is gray and dark, and there is a smell of rain in the air. I quickly come upon another downed tree and I pull at the cool air around me, hoping I can use it to literally fly over the log, and not land on my face.
Intended Series Collection: Books 1-6 Page 32
