Caught Between Worlds (The In-Betweens Book 3)

by Alison L. Perry

  He didn’t answer right away. He looked like he was deep in thought, but finally, he spoke. “I think… no, I know… I liked it.” He closed his eyes as I stared at him. “At first, I was shocked, not because it hurt. Well, it did hurt, but soon after you started, it was like your lips numbed the pain and suddenly it was replaced with…” he trailed off.

  “With…” I prompted him.

  “Euphoria.” He opened his eyes and met my gaze. They were darker than normal, a deep brown that was almost black. I tried to think of what to say, but I had no idea if this was normal. Is this how every human felt? Was that why Feeders didn’t try to escape from their owners? Because they liked it? Because they derived pleasure from it?

  “You mean,” I spoke slowly, trying to understand what was happening as I went, “you really liked it?”

  He grinned, a cocky grin that always flipped my stomach over. “Yeah… I really liked it.” He pulled me closer to him and dropped his voice further. “I felt like I was burning up with fever and pleasure mixed together.” He nudged his nose against mine. “And I didn’t want you to stop.”

  Goose bumps broke out over my skin. I’d felt the same way.

  “What we did… I’ve never felt like that before. Never wanted someone’s blood like that before. It felt… primal. I was fully into my vampire instincts to… to… claim you.” My own confession startled me. What we’d experienced was almost more intimate than sex.

  He hugged me and rocked me as we sat in silence, each lost in our own thoughts. I hadn’t expected to want to do that so much. I thought back to before I met him, when I couldn’t stand the taste or even look of blood. Now, I was struggling against biting Cam again. The thirst, or was it hunger, for him was growing inside me. How was I supposed to deal with this?

  “Hey, I need to get going.” I tried to pull away from him, but he tightened his arms around me, making it clear he didn’t want to let me go.

  “No, you’re not running away from this right now.”

  “I’m not running away from you. But I do have a curfew.”

  “You already told your mom you were going to break it by being with me. And I think she’s fine with that. She likes me.”

  I hesitated but finally allowed him to pull me back in. He interlaced our fingers together and said, “If you don’t want to talk about what we did, that’s fine. For now. We will talk about it sometime soon, though.”

  I nodded. He was right.

  I snuggled back into his chest and sighed. “Cam, how long has Maddie lived here?”

  “Maddie? She’s always been here. For as long as I can remember. Why?”

  “When you met us in the hallway, I had mentioned Carmen to her, and she acted like she had no idea who I was talking about. Isn’t that weird? I thought maybe she was goofing around, but I think she was confused. How could that be?”

  “Nah, she has to know who Carmen is. They were friends. Carmen was friends with everyone.”

  “That’s what I thought, too, but she didn’t seem to be acting. She seriously didn’t know who I was talking about. It’s strange.”

  Cam hummed his agreement but offered no other explanation. I thought about what it could mean, and if she’d recognize her face rather than only her name.

  “I guess maybe we’ll see tomorrow.”

  He snuggled me and ran his hand through my hair. “Yeah, that’ll be interesting to see.”

  It was getting darker and the wind had picked up a bit. “Are we supposed to be getting rain?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I think there was something about there being a small storm tonight. But not until later. Midnight or so.”

  “Oh, okay.” I turned myself around to face him, and he drew his knees up on either side of me.

  “Whatcha doing?” he asked.

  “Lookin’ atcha,” I replied with a flippant tone and hair toss. We both started laughing, being goofy as hell, until something moved across the grass in the corner of my eye.

  “Cam, freeze!” I barely moved my lips, but he caught the urgency and immediately grew serious.

  “What is it?”

  “I thought I saw something in the corner of my eye. But now it’s gone.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. A shadow moved.” A knot tightened in my stomach. “Cam? What do we do?”

  “That’s enough hanging in the park for now. C’mon, let’s go. I’ll walk you to your car.”

  We got up, grabbing our stuff, and headed to the small parking lot. Dark clouds were boiling quickly in the sky above us. “I thought you said it wouldn’t hit until later!”

  “That’s what the weatherman said!”

  “He lied!” I yelled back over the wind whipping around us. I flinched at a loud crack of thunder and screamed when lightning lit the sky and I saw a guy standing in the trees ahead of us. He was in all black with a black baseball cap and sunglasses.

  I slid to a stop, pulling Cam with me. “Stop!”

  “What is it? C’mon we need to get out of here!” Cam looked worried in the dim light.

  “I saw somebody. Over there!” I waved to the trees ahead of us. “Dressed to remain hidden even in plain sight!” Panic welled up inside me. My heart raced, my breath quickening. We were like lambs for a slaughter out here with nothing to protect ourselves and no idea what was in store.

  Cam grabbed my hand and tugged at me. “Run for your car. We’ll be okay once we’re in there.”

  I did as I was told and Cam stayed right beside me. Another flash of lightning streaked across the sky. I felt the sizzle in the air and smelled burning wood seconds before a huge branch fell from a nearby tree and into our path. I screamed and fell down as I tried to skirt the fallen limb. Cam crashed into the back of me and tripped, tumbling over the branch. “Cam!”

  “I’m okay. Keep going. Keep going! I’m right behind you.”

  Fear propelled me forward. I could see my car and Cam’s motorcycle next to it. Each time lightning flashed, I could also see the stranger, always in a different part of the trees, always staring at me. The hairs on my neck prickled. What was he doing? This seemed insane! I was running toward him by running to the car. Cam was wrong. We wouldn’t be safe there.

  I veered left and heard Cam yell behind me, but I couldn’t make out what he said. I kept on running, hoping he would understand the logic. Maybe if we could make it to the trees ourselves, it would provide more coverage to hide. Big, fat raindrops hit my face as we neared the dense thicket of brush and bushes that stood in front of the actual tree line. The rain grew heavier by the second, stinging my skin as it hit. We were almost there, almost to some sort of hiding, when a glint of light appeared right in front of me. I screamed again and skidded to a stop. What was it? Was it him waiting for us? I breathed hard, trying to steady myself and get ready for a fight. Cam came up behind me, his breathing ragged. I stood ready to defend him in whatever way I could.

  The sky lit up again and I took the opportunity to sweep my gaze over the area in front of us for any sign of life. But there wasn’t anything. Had I imagined it? I stood still and waited for another flash to verify we were alone. I didn’t have long to wait as the storm began raging in earnest. Seeing no one, sensing nothing, I lurched forward, reaching my hand behind me to grab Cam and pull him along. I breathed a huge sigh of relief as we hit the bushes and hunkered down together.

  “Are you okay?” I asked. I ran my hands over him trying to determine if he was hurt anywhere.

  “I’m fine. I take it you switched directions because of something you saw?”

  “Yeah, he was directly in front of us.” We were yelling in a whisper at each other. I was scared we’d alert the enemy to our whereabouts, but we couldn’t hear each other over the storm if we didn’t. He threw me a thumbs-up in response. My heart was beating too fast. Nauseated and dizzy, I had no idea how we’d make it to the car.

  We lay down in a large bush so we could partially hide. I couldn’t believe I was lying outside with a
crazy storm above me and Shadow Stalker Guy playing hide-and-seek in the park. I kept trying to breathe deep and slow, but my fear was bigger than I could handle. What if we die tonight? Cam didn’t deserve this. He never deserved to get into this crap because of me. If we did live through this night, that was the first thing I would change. Distance. For his sake, we needed distance from each other.

  I don’t know how long we lay there, keeping an eye on my car and scanning the park every time the sky lit up, but eventually we concluded he was either gone or waiting in hiding and we had to take a chance.

  “On three. Hold my hand and don’t let go for anything. Go for your car and have it unlocked before you get there. I’ll go to my motorcycle. I have my keys ready. When you get home, call or text me and let me know. I’ll do the same. Any questions?”

  “Um, yeah, my car doesn’t start the normal way, remember? I gotta do that whole wire thing to the battery.”

  It only took him a second to readjust. “Then you’re going with me. I don’t have a helmet for you, but I’ll go pretty slow. Your house isn’t too far, anyway. I’ll pick you up in the morning and we’ll come get your car before school. Sound like a plan?”

  “Yes.”

  Cam counted and then we ran. It was only about forty yards, but it seemed like miles. When we reached his bike, it was mere seconds before we were on it and driving away. I kept an eye out for anything behind us until I felt safe enough to relax.

  “I think we’re good!” I yelled through the rain and wind. He nodded to show he heard me. True to his word, he kept to the speed limit. My hair was plastered to my head, makeup probably smeared all over my face, but I didn’t care. We got away. Was this the game? To pop up whenever he wanted to let me know he was still out there? Was he ever going to make a move, start a fight, do something? Or would he mess with my head until I had a nervous breakdown? All of it exhausted me. If he kept it up, if this didn’t reach some conclusion soon, I knew I’d break.

  And that’s exactly what he probably wanted.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Thanksgiving was a few days away. It was all anyone at school could talk about. Everyone was asking everyone else what their plans were, talking about the food they were looking forward to, what relatives were visiting. I’d never given any thought to Thanksgiving. In my world, it had been another day in another month of another year. Nothing special about it. Seeing everyone so excited made me view it in a new way, though.

  Harper was caught up in the hoopla, same as everyone else. Her family hosted a big dinner and invited several neighbors. Her aunt and cousin were even flying in to join them. Apparently, she hadn’t seen them in years. “I can’t wait for you to meet them, guys. My cousin is awesome. You’ll love her.”

  “Wait, you want me to meet her?” I asked.

  “I want you to come to my house for Thanksgiving! So, yeah, you’re gonna meet her!” Harper looked ecstatic at the idea. “You, too, Molly. I want you both to come.”

  I was flabbergasted. I’d never been invited anywhere like this before. I looked over at Molly and she appeared as bemused as I felt. This was a new one for both of us.

  “Do I need to dress up?” I questioned. My mind was already busy running through my closet and thinking of an appropriate outfit.

  “Of course, you don’t! Not if you don’t want to.” Harper’s eyes twinkled. “Does that mean you’ll come?”

  I didn’t even hesitate. “Yes. Definitely. I’d love to come.” Harper and I grinned at each other and then collectively turned to Molly.

  “What about you, Molly? Will you come?” Harper’s eyes shone with hope and you could tell she was actually afraid Molly would say no.

  But Molly didn’t disappoint her. “Yes, doll. I’ll be there.”

  I thought of something else. “Do we need to bring anything?”

  “No, silly. You’re a guest and we will handle everything.” Harper was practically beaming. For some reason it made me nervous. I hadn’t actually met her family before. Not even a hello. I knew they knew about me, but I suddenly worried if this was a good idea. What if I didn’t make a good impression? What if Molly said something weird that we couldn’t explain away? What if I did? But I couldn’t voice my concerns when Harper looked so happy. I took my worries and shoved them down, way deep inside where nobody could find them.

  “We can’t wait!” Molly and I chorused.

  Of course, when the day arrived, all those fears came whooshing back. Despite what Harper had said, I needed to dress in a way that made a good first impression. I knew with absolute certainty that Molly would kill it with her confidence and natural finesse. I couldn’t show up looking like the dowdy stepsister. Whipping myself into a frenzied mess, I tore my closet apart looking for the perfect thing.

  Jeans were out of the question, so I focused on the other side of my closet. The side where my few dresses and skirts lived in darkness. I never wore them. I had some yet never felt I could pull off the dressy look. But if I ever was to, today was the day.

  I was too busy flipping through each dress, contemplating its flair factor, to notice someone had entered my room. The plastic hangers clacked together as I rapidly pushed them along the bar, almost in cadence with my own heartbeat. Why couldn’t I find anything I liked? Crap, what was I going to do?

  “What are you doing, trying to destroy your closet?”

  I jumped. I’d been so busy ravaging my entire wardrobe, I hadn’t heard her come in. Oh my God. Molly was here!

  “What time is it?” I screeched as I flung myself out of the closet and moved toward the clock on my nightstand. “How much time do I have? What are you doing here? You’re already ready?”

  “Would you relax? You’re getting yourself worked up and we both know that is the last thing you should do. Take some deep breaths.”

  I sucked in some air, closed my eyes, and reopened them. Turning around to face her, I was struck silent.

  Molly stood in the middle of my room, in the middle of pure chaos, looking like she’d just finished a modeling photo shoot. My eyes traveled from her glossy red, high-heeled Mary Janes to a matching A-line red dress cinched at the waist by a large, loose bow. Her arms were bare, dressed up with a small stack of silver bracelets on one arm and a thin silver watch on the other. She wore a simple silver chain with a single teardrop diamond at her throat. Matching diamonds winked at me from her earlobes. Her dark brown hair was shiny and straight, brushing the tips of her shoulders. In a word, she was stunning.

  “Molly… you look…” I started.

  “Gorgeous? Beautiful? Knockout, drop dead?” A smile hovered around her mouth and she struck a pose with one hip popped out and her hand on her waist. She knew she looked fantastic. It wasn’t bragging or being snobby. It was the truth.

  I nodded. Looking down at myself, I raised my hands in the air, helpless and hopeless. I was nothing compared to her.

  “Stop beating yourself up.”

  “I’m not—”

  “Yes, you are. I know you are. I can see it. So, stop. I came bearing gifts.” She waved a hand to a garment bag draped across my vanity’s chair. It wasn’t there a minute ago. My heart jumped with a surge of hope.

  “What did you do?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

  “Weeell,” she started, drawing the word out, “Unless you did some quick shopping in the last couple of days, I know your wardrobe probably doesn’t have something for this festive holiday we’re attending. So, I decided to give you something that might help.” Her eyes sparkled; she knew full well she’d saved my ass.

  I launched myself at her, wrapping my arms around her neck in a fierce hug. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

  She squeezed me back just as hard. Her words were muffled in my hair. “Don’t thank me.” She released me and pried my arms from her neck. “Now, let’s get you ready.”

  Having already showered, all I had left was to do my makeup, fix my hair, and get dressed. I yelped after looking at the clo
ck again. “Oh crap, we have thirty minutes. Thirty minutes!”

  “Stop freaking out. Sit down and let me do your makeup.”

  I looked at her flawless face and sighed. No amount of work would ever get me to her level. She tapped me on the nose. “Quit it.”

  Following orders, I hung the garment bag on the back of my bathroom door and settled into the chair. We’d done this before and I knew what to do. I closed my eyes and tilted my chin up.

  The next ten minutes flew by as Molly lightly dotted foundation on my skin and spread it evenly. She dipped her brushes in shadows and blushes and powders while I stayed still as a rock, letting her do her magic. When she finally told me to open my eyes, I looked in the mirror and stared.

  I was gorgeous. I mean, not to brag, but I was. The foundation had evened out my skin tone, not covering anything, yet somehow making my skin look better. At first, I was disappointed she hadn’t covered my freckles, but the more I looked, the more I decided I didn’t mind. Black eyeliner and subtle smoky eyeshadow made my green eyes stand out, giving me an overall sassy, slightly sexy look. My lips were a dusty red. I puckered them into a kiss while I took it all in.

  “I look beautiful.”

  “Yes, you do. Now let’s do your hair.” Molly hummed softly as she sprayed a few pumps of texturizing spray in my hair and finger-tousled the strands until they stood out in a messy, but totally chic, shag.

  My eyes met hers in the mirror and we both smiled. I looked fantastic. A real eye-catcher. I don’t know how she did it, but if I were a guy, I’d turn my head. My shoulders visibly relaxed as I let go of the fear of embarrassing myself in the looks department. Don’t get me wrong; I could still wreck everything. But it would be something I did or said rather than how I looked.

  “And now for the final piece,” Molly said with a grand gesture toward the garment bag.

  I walked over and held my breath as I slowly unzipped it. Cream fabric peeped out at me and I sighed with relief that it wasn’t pink. A moment later, I sighed again. This time in admiration for the simple, yet charming, jumpsuit I’d uncovered.