Forever Read Online Free PDF

the curse, yes,” Caeran said. “And only ælven blood, or human blood, will satisfy the hunger that it brings. The killings that have occurred on campus here in the past year were done by alben.”
    “Wait, what?”
    “Alben is the name we give to those of our kind who are afflicted and turn away from our creed,” Caeran said. “The campus killers are alben.”
    “But Savhoran isn’t,” Amanda said.
    Caeran nodded. “Savhoran upolds the creed, therefore he remains ælven.”
    I closed my eyes. “OK, I’m getting overloaded.”
    “This is a great deal of new information,” Caeran said. “Take your time. There is no hurry.”
    I looked at him, then around the room. They were all watching me, including Lomen. His face showed concern, and for some reason that sent me over the edge.
    I stood up. Had to get out. My hindbrain, reminding me that I had no vehicle there, sent me toward the back door instead of the front.
    I strode to the middle of the yard and stood taking deep breaths. Venus was glowing in the last strip of fading blue that remained on the western horizon. I stared at that planet as if I could anchor myself to it.
    I heard footsteps behind me in the grass. Turned to see Lomen had followed me.
    Everything in my brain shifted sideways. Elves, vampires, research jobs—I didn’t care. I stared at Lomen, then swallowed the dryness in my throat.
    “Just tell me,” I said, my voice rough. “If you’re not interested I won’t bother you.”
    “Steven...”
    I could just make out his face in the growing dusk. The concern was still there, but at least he was looking at me instead of avoiding my gaze.
    “Do not base your decision about joining Ebonwatch on me.”
    I blinked. Ebonwatch couldn’t have been farther from my thoughts.
    “I understand your feelings.” His voice was just above a whisper. “And yes, I am open to sharing with you, but I do not wish you to be hurt. It might be best to avoid promises.”
    “Are you saying you’re up for a fling but no more? That’s not what I want.”
    My gonads screamed at me that it was enough for now. I ignored them.
    “I’ve had it with short-term,” I said. “I want forever.”
    He stood still, and I heard him exhale.
    “Forever is a long time.”
    I knew I was being an idiot. I wanted him, so much that I was actually willing to take whatever terms he laid down, but I’d been there before, had my heart crushed before, and I was sick of it. If I couldn’t have stability, I’d stay alone.
    These were demands I’d had no intention of making. They came out of left field, a reaction to my confusion and too much emotion. I stood frozen, dreading and expecting his refusal.
    He put a hand on my shoulder and leaned close, his cheek brushing mine and setting off sparks in my brain. I caught a whiff of scent: evergreen and spice.
    I will be here.
    I gasped, stunned by his voice in my head and by the sensation that accompanied it, of his soul touching mine.
    Regardless of what you decide for Ebonwatch, I will be here. Set me aside while you make that choice. We will have time.
    He backed away, releasing my shoulder and slipping out of my mind as suddenly as he had come in. I staggered, disoriented.
    He walked back to the house, leaving me alone with the biggest hard-on I’d had in months.
    I went to the nearest tree and leaned my head against it, bark pressing into my forehead. What had just happened?
    Breathe.
    I sucked deep breaths of the cool night air and tried to sort out my thoughts. I’d been half-sure that they were all putting me on about the elf and vampire stuff, but Lomen’s voice in my head had changed that.
    Telepathy. Vampire elves.
    And they wanted me to commit to a career trying to find this cure. For vampirism.
    Not human. That’s why they didn’t want to use a lab for DNA analysis. They were a different freaking species, and that would show up in the DNA. Holy crap!
    The prospect of studying a humanoid species that human science