Intended Series Collection: Books 1-6, Abigail Grant [best thriller books to read txt] 📗

His hand strokes from my tailbone to the nape of my neck, and back over the loose fitting t-shirt that was placed on me while I slept. I look down and see that it’s the Southern Oregon Hawks shirt I stole from Gavin the first night we spent together. A small smile spreads across my face until I remember the image of Jed coming after me.

“Gavin, what happened to Jed? I remember him saving me and he… didn’t survive.” Gavin nods slowly and more of his sadness leaks into me where his bare arms touch mine. “But I also remember trying to close the opening to hell, and then something hit me and I saw Jed coming after me, only it wasn’t him.” I try to see past that memory, but nothing else comes.

Gavin slips his hands under the back of my shirt and rubs soothing circles on my bare back. I shiver at the feel of it. I can tell he missed my touch, and I feel like I’ve been without his for ages.

“It was Barron. Just before you were going to use your powers, he entered Jed’s body and stabbed you with a tree branch.” His eyes close momentarily. “You were so close to death, and he tried to kill me too, but he is dead now. Gone forever.”

Barron is gone...

I wrap my shaking arms around Gavin’s neck, feeling a deep, pressing weight lift off of my chest for the first time in months. “I’m so sorry. I wish I could have helped more. How did you finally kill him?”

Gavin shakes his head at me and a small chuckle leaves his lips. “Actually, I wasn’t doing too hot. It was Kassy who actually saved the day with her bow.”

My eyes fly open and I’m sure I look like a fish with my mouth dropped open. “Oh my gosh, Gavin! Is she okay?”

“She is great, I think. Mostly just worried about you. She and Liam have been in here probably a hundred times in the last two days.”

I scrunch my eyebrows together and guilt rushes through me. “Oh no. You guys have been worried about me for two days? I can’t believe I slept that long.”

Gavin sighs and lays his forehead against mine. I breathe in the scent of him, feeling content in the spicy pine scent. He keeps his eyes on mine, only centimeters from me. “Love, you have been asleep for five long and miserable days.”

My breath stops and I close my eyes with a groan. “Well, crap.”

Gavin chuckles a rich sound and it makes every happy nerve in my body flare up. “Yeah. Crap is right. I bonded with the woman of my dreams and haven’t even been able to kiss her for nearly a week.” He pulls his forehead off of mine and tilts his head at me with big puppy-dog eyes. “Will you please end my misery, Aella Cole?”

It’s the first time anyone has called me that name, and I instantly love it more than I ever thought possible. I nod to Gavin, not wanting to say another word as I press my lonely lips to his. At first the kiss is sweet and full of a gentle longing. Quickly though, I want nothing more than to show my Intended how much I miss him and that our future together is finally beginning.

I slide my eager fingers into his hair and pull him down to the bed with me, reveling in the primal growl from deep inside of him and exploring his soft lips with mine. Our bond was sealed a week ago in this very place, but this time is different. This time I just show Gavin that he is mine forever, with nothing in our way.

Chapter 13

As it turns out, Barron never stopped me from closing the opening to hell. Gavin informed me that I was struck by lightning and it basically charged me enough to release the power I needed. He insists that it was a gift from the gods, but Kassy and I both feel like it had to just be the stick in my chest that the lightning was going for.

I can’t really see how the gods would disappear for so long and then come back for a single moment, of course, this world isn’t what I thought it was only a few months ago. I guess closing one entrance to hell doesn’t close them all, or so Aunt Mags says. We plan to take trips to every opening we can find and close each one separately. I just hope that the next ones don’t go down the same way as the last.

Danielle has been an angel to me, which is suiting considering her son’s immense sacrifice. I will always be grateful for Jedrek Cole and his family is my family now. I can’t imagine a better group of people to spend my life with.

“Are you coming?” Kassy calls to me from outside of Gavin’s car. I guess I can’t stay in here forever. Kassy’s hair is dyed back to her almost natural chocolate brown. She says if fighting demons is the kind of fun blondes have, then she is perfectly happy with her natural color.

I step out of the car and wrap my friend in a warm hug. Snow fell all night and the fresh piles reach past my ankles. Kassy holds me in an embrace for a good minute. I feel the same as her on a day like today. Hugs are needed all around.

“I love you, Kass. Don’t ever leave me, okay?” I talk quietly with my chin resting on my best friend’s shoulder.

Kassy steps back from me and adjusts the thick black shawl over her long black dress. “Trust me, El. I’m not going anywhere. I mean, I am pretty bad-A, you know.” She winks at me with a small smirk.

I nod. “Oh, you absolutely are.” I grab her