Read Never (The Ever Series Book 2) for Free Online

flares in my chest when I think of the brand, and I swing around, searching until my eyes catch on Alex—perched imperiously twenty feet up at the very top of the play structure.
    “If you thought branding me was going to do you any favors, then I’m guessing you haven’t had much experience with girls,” I say icily.
    “It is a token of my devotion,” he says.
    He’s suddenly right in front of me, and I have to force myself not to flinch or step back.
    “Right,” I laugh without a shred of humor.
    “You aren’t afraid of me?”
    “I’m done being afraid. You’re going to kill me, or you’re not going to kill me. Right?”
    “It was never my intention to harm you.”
    “It wasn’t? What about handing me over for something to use as a meat puppet?” After all, according to Ever, that’s what this guy does. He finds and offers up people like me as vessels for someone or some thing to cross over into this world. I shudder at the thought. “If that’s your plan, I’d rather you kill me.”
    “Are you not afraid of death?”
    I stare back at him as he studies me.
    “I didn’t say that.”
    “What an interesting creature you are,” he says.
    He reaches out to touch my face, but I recoil before he can make contact.
    “Interesting is not the word I would use to describe you.”
    He frowns.
    “I’m afraid I have Ever to thank for your first impression of me.”
    I snort at his lack of self-reflection.
    “Um, no. Threats and kidnapping were enough.”
    “Wren, when you have nothing to lose, you will go to any length to achieve the ends you desire.”
    “Speak for yourself.”
    “Fair enough, but would you humor me for a few moments?”
    When he offers his hand, I hesitate.
    “Under one condition.”
    He raises an eyebrow.
    “And what would that be?” he laughs.
    “My necklace. I want it back.”
    This wipes the superior smile from his face, but when I hold out my hand, he drops the chain into my upturned palm. With a wave of relief, I close my hand around the infinity pendant, the gift from Ever that also connects us. It was a stretch of the imagination to think that Ever’s enemy would have kept it, but he did, and now I have it again. Knowing I can’t fasten it myself without time and a mirror to see what I’m doing, I reach up and put it in the pocket on the sleeve of my sweatshirt. Then I reach out and take Alex’s hand, feeling a shock of electricity surge through me. He clasps me to his chest, and before I have a chance to protest, everything bends and shimmers and then goes dark.
    I open my eyes, but all I can see is green. I blink and cough. Aware that there’s an arm wrapped around me, propping me up, I jerk away and stumble back a few steps, trying not to throw up. As soon as my equilibrium begins to return, I look around in dismay. We’re nowhere near the park! What made me think I could trust him for one second? Before I can freak out, he raises his hand.
    “I’ll return you, but I wanted to show you something first.”
    He motions for me to follow him, and I see we’re at the edge of a small wooden platform. A crashing sound gets louder as I follow him, and at the railing of the outlook, my breath hitches at the sight of cascading water. This must be Multnomah Falls. It’s beautiful—and nowhere near my house, I’m sure.
    “Outstanding, isn’t it?” Alex says from behind me.
    I nod and step back.
    “Yeah, awesome. Thanks for the tour. Now tell me what you want.”
    “I would like you to give me a chance …”
    He trails off, and I stare at him.
    “A chance,” I repeat.
    “To prove myself to you,” he says.
    Before I can snatch it away, he reaches out and takes my hand again. Almost instantly his intentions click into place, and I stare incredulously at him.
    “You can’t be serious. You, me, Ever—this is not a triangle! There isn’t even a straight line between the two of us! You’re completely insane!”
    He begins laughing.
    “I can see now why Ever is