Intertwined by Gena Showalter
Chapter 8
Written by Katlyn
Eduited by Krystal

Mary Ann arrived at school early the next morning to anxiously wait for Aden. She was shaking with fear and worry about the situation from the day before and spent all night researching paranormal phenomena and werewolves. She was worried about wolf, which in turn lead to guilt that she didn’t care more about Aden. She would have called Dan Reeves to check on him, but his number was unlisted so here she was. She knew she wasn’t crazy, but who could she tell, all her friends would just laugh at her.

Mr. White, the principal, pulled into the parking lot and made his way up the steps to where Mary Ann stood. He offered to for her to come inside until others arrived, but she politely refused; she would stand here until Aden arrived and she learned the truth.

An eternity seemed to pass before others started showing up and even Penny came speeding into the parking lot, unkempt from a long night of talking to Tucker about Mary Ann. Mary Ann was still mad at this new Tucker that took pleasure in others misery and brushed it off. Finally, Shannon appeared at the tree line and Mary Ann went running toward him, despite his maneuvers to avoid her. She asked if Aden was coming and Shannon replied that he was right behind him.

Read the rest of this chapter summary HERE.

Memorable Quotes:

Mary Ann: though she’d printed hundreds of pages, she had foun nothing substantiated, both subjects treated as fiction. (Page 133)

Mary Ann: Was the wolf okay? The question had plagued her all night long, which in turn caused guilty to eat away at her. She should care more about Aden. (Page 134)

Mary Ann: He spotted her and his eyes widened, a startling green against the darkness of his skin. Once again, those eyes reminded her of the wolf’s. Her wolf. Oh my God. Could he be her wolf? (Page 136)

Mary Ann: Aden was unlike anyone she’d ever met. His eyes changed color in light, and he was able to disappear in a blink. (Page 137)

Aden: “What if I told you there was an entire world out there you had no idea existed? A world of –” he gulped “–vampires and werewolves, and people with unexplainable abilities?” (Page 140)

Aden: “Not disappear,” he said, stopping her. “You saw him possess someone else’s body.”
Mary Ann: Dear God. Aden could possess other people’s bodies. Just step inside them as if they were an elevator and he needed a ride. She shuddered, fighting the urge to dart away so he couldn’t do such a thing to her. (Page 140)

Questions for discussion:

Why do you think Mary Ann is so accepting of both the wolf and Aden’s abilities? Do you think there’s a specific reason why or is it just her affection for Aden?

Do you think Aden will open up to her more now that she has accepted him for who she is?

Is there anything else you’d like to discuss with the book club?

Read and discuss more HERE.

Intertwined by Gena Showalter
Chapter 7
Written by Katlyn
Eduited by Krystal

The souls had finally seen Mary Ann and they couldn’t shut up about it as Aden was quickly getting used to his four legs. The wolf’s voice joined in telling Aden to get out as he made his way to the ranch. Aden was enjoying the new scents and sights that the wolf’s body offered when he finally got home and had to make a decision. The wolf would harm him the minute he left its body, so Aden bit down hard on its leg and gouged out the flesh. Using the last of his strength, Aden exited the wolf and apologized before running off to find bandages.

Sneaking into his room, Aden stuffed several bandages in his bag and made his way out to the main house to check in with Dan. Dan congratulated Aden on his exams and asked if he’d seen Shannon, who hadn’t arrived home yet. He tried to head off, but Dan wasn’t done. He inquired about Mary Ann, but didn’t press for details before noticing that Aden wasn’t very talkative and left him to his chores.

When Aden got to the woods, the wolf was gone, but Shannon had finally arrived home, bleeding and claiming that he was jumped after school. He noticed that there were too many coincidences between Shannon and the wolf, including their penetrating green eyes, and when he tried to question Shannon about it but he was ignored.

Read the rest of this chapter summary HERE.

Memorable Quotes:

Wolf: How did you do that? the wolf snarled, his voice joining the clamor of the others. Get out of my head! Out of my body! (Page 114)

Aden: Again, the wolf’s threats – promises – blended with that of his still-chattering companions. Caleb was apologizing for flinging him inside the body, Eve was asking about Mary Ann, concerned for her, and Julian and Elijah were begging him to be careful. (Page 116)

Wolf: You can’t stay in here forever. The wolf snarled, and Aden couldn’t stop the sound from emerging. Can you? Can you! (Page 116)

Eve: How could Dan betray that woman? Eve asked on a disgusted sigh. She’s a treasure. (Page 119)

Aden: Aden frowned. Shannon had green eyes; the wolf had green eyes. Shannon was hurt; the wolf has been hurt. Shannon was here now; the wolf was gone. Had he really been jumped or was that a lie to cover something else? An ability most people wouldn’t understand? Shannon hadn’t limped, though, and that leg wound wouldn’t have had time to heal. Would it? (Page 121)

Victoria: “A week ago, you somehow overwhelmed my people with energy. Energy that was so strong, it left us writhing in pain for hours. Energy that latched onto us and tugged us to you as if we were tethered with a rope.”
Aden: “I don’t understand. Energy? Sent by me?” A week ago, the only thing he’d done was kill a few corpses and meet Mary Ann. (Page 128)

Victoria: “You…fascinate me.” Her cheeks brightened with pink. “That was stupid of me to say. Pretend I said something else.”
Aden: “I can’t,” he said. Nor did he want to. “You fascinate me, too. I’ve thought about you since the moment I first saw you.” (Page 130)

Questions for discussion:

If Shannon isn’t the werewolf, then who jumped him and why didn’t he tell Dan the truth?

What do you think the energy is that attracted Victoria’s people to Aden?

What do you make of Elijah’s vision? Do you think it will come true? And who is going to kill Aden?

Read and discuss more HERE.

Intertwined by Gena Showalter
Chapter 6
Written by Krystal

Aden waited outside for Shannon after all his tests to determine if he would be allowed to go Crossroads. Surprisingly, the voices had helped him with his tests and he had passed with flying colors. Now he was smiling as a girl walked by, with glittery skin like that of the old lady in the supercenter. He was so happy that the souls decided that they would be willing to endure the black hole in return for the chance to help Aden.

The bell sounded and the students began to file out of Crossroads. When Shannon sneaked up behind him Aden realized that there were in fact more than one exit and there was no way he could spot Mary Ann now. Shannon wanted a truce between the two of them, you watch my back and I’ll watch yours, and Aden was thrilled. Just then Mary Ann came rushing out to hand Shannon his syllabus.

Read the rest of this chapter summary HERE.

Memorable Quotes:

Eve: You want to attend this school, Eve said, and we want you to be happy. Of course we helped you. (Page 95)

Aden: He’d more than passed. He’d excelled. (Page 96)

Aden: “Feels great. But, uh, maybe we could try the quiet thing more often,” Aden suggested.
All four laughed as if he’d just told a joke about Caleb getting hot. (Page 96)

Mary Ann: “That’s wonder – Your eyes,” she said, blinking up at him. “They’re blue. But I thought they were black. Or rather, lots of colors then black. Not one solid color.” (Page 98)

Aden: “He’s shy,” Aden said to excuse the dreg. (Page 100)

Aden: In the end, he opted for the truth. “I’m not trying to score or anything, I swear. Besides Shannon, you’re the only person I know at this school and I could really use a friend.” (Page 100-101)

Mary Ann: “I don’t know. Like I’m being pummeled by a freak wind and my skin is crawling, and I know that’s a horrible thing to say, and I’m so sorry. I really am. But then when that sensation finally fades, I have the weirdest desire to first hug you like you’re my brother or something and then –”
Aden: “Run,” he finished for her. It was possible. They had the same reaction to each other. (Page 101)

Tucker: Tucker’s iron-gaze flicked to Aden’s shirt and the insulting words scribbled there. He chuckled, “Cute.” (Page 102)

Questions for discussion:

Who do you think could be the werewolf? Is it anyone that Aden or Mary Ann know?

Why do you think that the wolf is stalking Mary Ann and why does he want to know more about Aden?

Is there anything else in this chapter that you want to discuss with the book club?

Read and discuss more HERE.

Intertwined by Gena Showalter
Chapter 4
Written by Krystal

Aden spent the next six days in and out of consciousness fighting the sickness with Mary Ann on his mind. He’d even thought he saw visions of her, but instead of sun kissed and hazel eyes she was pale with bright blue eyes. Maybe his visions had never been of Mary Ann, after all, despite his visions he’d never remembered the facial features of his dreamy brunette until this week. The mysterious brunette urged him to sleep despite the questions she had for him. Unlike his time with Mary Ann, Aden didn’t want to run away from this girl, he wanted to kiss her as he’d seen in his vision.

Finally the fever broke and Aden lumbered out of bed, memories of Dan’s concern returning to him. Today Dan was going to take him and Shannon shopping for school and Aden was ecstatic that his plan had worked. Shannon peeked in Aden’s room and announced that they would be leaving soon. He made his way outside, not without altercation from Ozzie, and scanned for Dan’s truck. His jaw dropped at the sight of his mysterious brunette and he knew that she was definitely not Mary Ann. Behind her was a tall boy who looked as if he could kill Aden where he stood but he waved, neither reacted.

Dan broke the awkwardness and Aden whooped with excitement as he got in the truck; she was finally here. Elijah agrees that she is indeed the one from the visions, but he has a terrible feeling about them, before Caleb drops in with a horny statement. He hopped in the truck and they headed into the city in silence.

Read the rest of this chapter summary HERE.

Memorable Quotes:

Seth: “Talking to yourself again?” Seth said with a laugh. “Why? It’s not like you’re all that stimulating.” (Page 66)

Aden: His gaze snagged on the line of trees beside the main house, zooming in, and his jaw dropped. There, in the shadows, stood the brunette. His brunette. The one from his visions. (Page 67)

Elijah: Elijah sighed. You know that bad feeling I got when you followed that girl last week? Well, I’ve got a worse feeling about these two. But yeah, I know where you’re going with this. She’s the one from the visions.
Caleb: We’ve had visions of her? Where was I? Because day-um. It’s official, Caled said. I’m hot. (Page 69)

Eve: I’m so proud of you. You’re becoming friends already. If she’d had hands, Eve would have been clapping.
Aden: Aden didn’t have the heart to correct her. (Page 73)

Aden: Sometime in the last two days, probably while he’d been out catching up on his chores, someone had sneaked inside his room and written on his shirt before folding it and placing it back in its sack where he’d left it. The words Hello, My Name Is Crazy stared back at him. (Page 74)

Elijah: The kids at Crossroads High will think it’s a joke, Elijah told him. Maybe it will even become the new style. (Page 74)

Questions for discussion:

If the girl from his visions isn’t Mary Ann, who do you think she is? What do you think she meant about summoning her people? Who are her people?

Why do you think Gena bothered to add the old woman in the shopping supercenter? Do you think there is some significance to her character that we may learn later?

Did you notice anything in this chapter that you’d like to discuss with everyone else?

Read and discuss more HERE.

Intertwined by Gena Showalter
Chapter 5
Written by Krystal

The day had begun like any other for Mary Ann, except thoughts of Aden kept creeping into her brain. Penny had admitted to giving Aden her number, but he had yet to call in over a week. Already he had screwed with her mind, making her sure that Tucker was the best option for a boyfriend; Tucker always made her feel pretty, but he didn’t consume her, the way Aden had. With a sigh she trudged downstairs and greeted her dad in the usual manner before heading off toward school.

The minute she exited her house Mary Ann noticed the ginormously large black wolf lying in the shade. She tried to back away and go back inside, but the best jumped between her and the door. Again she backed away, but this time she tripped over her backpack and landed on the ground. The wolf hopped on her, paws digging her shoulders into the ground. After some sniffing, the animal let her up and motioned for her to leave. She dragged her backpack to safety and grabbed her cell. The beast shook its head; there’s no way t could know what she was doing. Before she could push the last 1 in 911, the beast jumped and snagged the phone from her hand. Whatever the wolf wanted, it meant her no harm and as he lead the way, Mary Ann followed.

Somehow the wolf knew the way to her school and when Crossroads High finally came into view she breathed a sigh of relief. When Tucker’s truck sped by the wolf dropped her phone and backed away. When he was far enough away Mary Ann grabbed the phone and darted for Tucker’s truck door.

Tucker was surprised by May Ann’s sudden urge to join him in the truck, but when she became lost in thought about how strange it was that Tucker had ever asked her out, he made a joke. They emerged and Mary Ann immediately searched the trees for the wolf; he was nowhere to be found. Tucker pulled her along toward his crew, who like always ignored her, and talked about the new kids.

Read the rest of this chapter summary HERE.

Memorable Quotes:

Mary Ann: When he smiled like that his entire face lit up and she could see why her friends crushed on him. (Page 78)

Mary Ann: For many years, Mary Ann had resented him for the possibility. Her sweet mother hadn’t worked, had stayed home and taken care of Mary Ann, the house and all the chores. But when she had died, his utter despondency convinced May Ann of his innocence. Plus, he’s been alone now for several years. He hadn’t gone on a single date. Hadn’t even glanced at another woman. (Page 79)

Mr. Gray: “I know,” he said softly. “I’m glad. She was an amazing woman who turned this house into a home.” (Page 80)

Mr. Gray: Sighing, he checked his watch. “You’d better get going. A tardy will ruin your perfect record.”
Mary Ann: Classic Dr. Gray. When he wasn’t getting the results he wanted, he sent her away so that he could strategize and resume the argument later with a new plan of attack.
Mary Ann stood. “Love you, Dad. I look forward to winning round two when you get home.” She gathered her backpack and, with a wave, strolled to the front door.
Mr. Gray: He chuckled. “I don’t deserve you, you know?”
Mary Ann: “I know.” (Page 82)

Mary Ann: Mary Ann lost the threads of her own humiliation. No wonder he’d sent her away. He didn’t like conversing with people. It embarrassed him. (Page 91-92)

Questions for discussion:

Do you think that the wolf could indeed be Shannon? If not, who?

What do you think about the way Tucker and his crew treated Shannon?

Is there anything else in this chapter you’d like to discuss with everyone else?

Read and discuss more HERE.

Intertwined by Gena Showalter
Chapter 2
Written by Krystal

Mary Ann Gray spotted Penny outside the café and rushed over to join her. Mary Ann had missed the massive power outage that happened fifteen minutes ago that caused cell phones and cars to die. Everything had been weird today, including that boy she’d seen in the cemetery. She loved Holy Grounds, as everyone walked away with a smile, and it reminded her of her parent’s happiness before Mary Ann’s mother died. Penny wasn’t happy though when she found out that Mary Ann would be leaving in thirty minutes.

Penny was the kind of beautiful girl who was used to getting what she wanted and lived by the moment, but Mary Ann had a fifteen-year plan for her life. Penny resented Mary Ann’s dedication and pre-planning that had occurred after her mother’s death, but her father’s sadness was something Mary Ann couldn’t tolerate; that was one of the reasons she’d chosen to become a psychologist like him.

Read the rest of this chapter summary HERE.

Memorable Quotes:

Mary Ann: “There was an outage that caused cars to die?” Weird. Then again, it had been a day of weirdness. Like that boy she’d seen in the cemetery on her way here, who’d somehow caused her to fall – without touching her! (Page 26)

Penny: “Could you please, please, please call in sick?” Penny begged. “A little dose of Mary isn’t going to be enough.” (Page 29)

Penny: “Little. Ha! I suspect you have your life mapped out to the second. You probably even know what underwear you’ll be wearing in three years, five hours, two minutes and eight seconds.”
Mary Ann: “A black lace thong,” Mary Ann responded without hesitation. (Page 30)

Penny: “You said anal.” Penny snickered. (Page 30)

Mary Ann: “Is he dirty?”
Penny: “You mean, perverted? I don’t know, but I’m willing to find out. He’s hawt!” (Page 33)

Mary Ann: The sun stroked him lovingly, practically worshipping his beautiful face. And for a moment, only a moment, Mary Ann saw those different hues in his eyes again. Green, blue, gold and brown. Amazing. But as quickly as they appeared, they vanished, leaving that lazing onyx. (Page 39)

Aden: “Uh, no. I, uh, work there. Just so you know, news stations will probably be blasting stories about the desecration of several graves soon. I was…cleaning things up.”
Mary Ann: Was her mother’s grave okay? It had better be!
Penny: “How wonderfully morbid.” (Page 40)

Questions for discussion:

It’s interesting that Gena choose to switch narration between Aden and Mary Ann. How do you feel about the switch and which personally do you like to spend more time with?

Now that we know Mary Ann’s side of the emotions, what do you think about the relationship between Aden and Mary Ann?

Did you notice anything in this chapter that you’d like to discuss with everyone?

Read and discuss more HERE.

Intertwined by Gena Showalter
Chapter 3
Written by Krystal

Aden watched as Mary Ann walked away. Penny handed over both Mary Ann’s number and her own before walking away as well. He didn’t know much about girls but he knew he had made Mary Ann uncomfortable. He hoped that she would forgive him though, for she really was responsible for his newfound sense of peace and he wanted to see her more. On the other hand though, the more time he spent around her the more he felt an urge to run away.

He started heading home when Caleb chimed in about the pain they were going to be in tonight. Between the bites, the poison, and Aden’s ability to trip over every piece of trash on the way back to the ranch every part of his body throbbed. The souls started complaining about the dark hole that Mary Ann’s presence put them in, but only Eve had caught a familiar glimpse at her.

Aden finally arrived at the ranch and headed toward the house, continuing the conversation with the souls. While he could have met Mary Ann in any town he lived in, this was really the first place he’d lived that allowed him to be out in public. Suddenly, a lot came into his head and he wanted to talk to Dan but no one answered at the house. He headed toward the bunkhouse where he got ready for bed and tried to tiptoe to his room, only to be caught by the dregs.

Read the rest of this chapter summary HERE.

Memorable Quotes:

Aden: It was strange, too. The more time he’d spent in her presence, the more he’d had to fight the urge to run away from her. (Page 43-44)

Elijah: You’re really starting to annoy me, Ad Elijah suddenly said. I do not like the airstream or whatever it is that tosses us into that black hole. (Page 44-45)

Eve: A girl. I caught a glimpse of her, Eve said.
Julian: Julian sputtered. A girl? A dumb girl is sending us away? How? (Page 45)

Julian: Well, I for one don’t like how powerless I feel when you’re around her Julian said. (Page 47)

Dan: “I’m trying to save your live, boys. You know that, don’t you?” (Page 53)

Aden: A few times over the past week, when Aden thought no one inside his head was paying attention, he’d pretended Dan was his dad. They certainly looked like they could be related. Both of them had pale hair (when Aden didn’t dye his to stop the blonde jokes), lips almost too full for a boy and square jaws. When he realized what he was doing, though, he’d forced himself to stop. Surprisingly, stopping had made him depressed. (Page 54)

Ms. Killerman: “Ms. Killerman, is it?” There was a breathless quality to her voice that made Aden’s stomach curdle. “Yesterday you called me sweetheart.”
Aden: “I – uh…”
Ms. Killerman: “So how are you, baby, and when will I get to see you again?” (Page 60)

Questions for discussion:

It’s interesting that Gena choose to switch narration between Aden and Mary Ann. How do you feel about the switch and which personally do you like to spend more time with?

Now that we know Mary Ann’s side of the emotions, what do you think about the relationship between Aden and Mary Ann?

Did you notice anything in this chapter that you’d like to discuss with everyone?

Read and discuss more HERE.

Intertwined by Gena Showalter
Chapter 1
Written by Krystal

Crossroads, Oklahoma was so small it was barely on the map, but to Aden Stone it was definitely hell on earth. After going out to explore the town Aden found himself in a graveyard; the one place he didn’t want to be. He’d left the D and M Ranch, a halfway house for wayward teens, with IPod on and now he was in a lot of trouble.

The voices in Aden’s head all began to lecture him about this mistake. Julian’s ability to raise the dead made Aden always aware of the graveyards in any town he lived, but the music had distracted him. The tombstone began to rattle and the corpse rose from the dead in need of flesh. He knew he would since Elijah had already predicted his death on a deserted street with a knife in his heart, but that did not make the battle any easier. The only reason he had moved to the D and M Ranch was because of the visions, the ones where he was laughing and kissing a beautiful dark haired girl, and he wanted to know her…even if it meant his life.

Read the rest of this chapter summary HERE.

Memorable Quotes:

Aden: He was sixteen years old, but sometimes he felt like he’d been around forever, and every one of those days had been worse than the one before. (Page 7)

Caleb: We’re about to smoke that fool! Is it bad that I’m hot right now? (Page 10)

Aden: “Lookie what I have.” Aden held up the blade, and the silver glinted in the light. (Page 12)

Caleb: Wow. Are you out of practice or what? Caled said.
Julian: Laid low by a toe tag. Julian scoffed. You should be embarrassed.
Elijah: Do you want to be dinner? Elijah added.
Aden: “Guys,” he gritted out, his struggles increasing. He managed to roll to his back. “Please. I’m fighting here.”
Caleb: I wouldn’t exactly call this fighting, Caleb replied. More like being spanked like a girl.
Eve: Hey! I take exception to that. (Page 13)

Aden: For the first time in his life, he was truly on his own. If he messed up, he’d have no one but himself to blame. (Page 25)

Questions for discussion:

What do you think happened when Aden and the girl made eye contact?

Read and discuss more HERE.