Immortal Read Online Free Page B

it with us, headed for the stacks. Caeran ignored the glances the girls threw at him, and the surly looks from the guys. I was pretty sure he’d noticed, though he gave no sign of it. I mean it would be hard not to notice the giggling.
    We escaped into the quiet of the Wesley Collection. Barb had the book waiting at the counter and we sailed through checking in. Caeran even had some quarters ready for the locker.
    He seemed completely confident now, unlike his hesitance the previous day. It reinforced my impression that he was dealing with an alien culture. He seemed to be adapting well.
    I sat doodling again and watching him covertly, wishing we had talked more. Afterward, I promised myself. I would start a conversation, find out his last name at least. Maybe try again to ask him for coffee.
    He made another list of names. Shorter, this time. He got through the rest of the book with ten minutes to spare, then leaned back in his chair, frowning at his notes. I sneaked a peek and saw that one of the names was circled. It looked like “Madera,” and there was a note beside it that I couldn’t read.
    â€œFind what you need?” I whispered.
    â€œI hope so.”
    â€œIf I can do anything to help …”
    I stopped when he looked at me. The intensity of his gaze made my stomach flip over. For a long moment I gazed back, then he whispered to me.
    â€œDoes the library have information about local transportation?”
    â€œUh—some. Student Union Building’s a better bet. Or the Internet.”
    He’d been on the bus, so he must have information for the city’s routes, or know where to find it. What more did he need to know?
    He made a note on his page and sat frowning at it. I watched him, holding still, almost holding my breath.
    He looked at me once more, the searching-your-soul look that had held me spellbound before. Worked again; I couldn’t move, not that I wanted to. It scared me a little, but I liked it.
    Finally he looked away. I sucked in a breath.
    â€œMay I call you?” he said, and my heart lurched. “If I need more information?”
    â€œS-sure. I’ll give you my cell number.”
    He laid his list down on the table and I scrawled my name and number at the bottom of the page. I was really proud that my hand didn’t shake.
    â€œThank you.”
    He folded the page and stood up. I shoved my doodles in my pocket and followed him to the lockers, bringing along the book, which he seemed to have forgotten. I handed it over to Barb, thanking her, then accepted my pack from Caeran.
    We got in the elevator. Panic time! I might not see him again.
    â€œCould I have your number too?”
    He blinked at me. “I don’t have a phone.”
    â€œOh, OK. Well. Do you have time for coffee today?”
    He looked like he was about to say no, then changed his mind. “Perhaps. Could we find transportation information at the same time?”
    â€œSure. SUB’s got an espresso stand.”
    I smiled and he smiled faintly back. My heart was trying to fly. I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to spoil my luck by saying the wrong thing. Caeran didn’t always react the way I’d expect.
    We left the library and I started toward the SUB. Caeran kept pace with me, his stride graceful and silent.
    â€œIt is far?” he asked after a moment.
    â€œNo, that’s it right ahead.”
    I led him inside the big building. As always, the place was bustling with students, chatting, surfing the Web, doing homework in the big dining rooms or at cafe tables in the halls.
    The information booth was close to the entrance we’d used, in a slightly less trafficked area. The espresso stand was farther in. I walked over to the racks of leaflets by the wall, hoping not to have to talk to the girl manning the info booth. It was early enough in the semester that she had a couple of people standing at her counter.
    I turned to Caeran. “What did you