The In Between

Chapter 1

'I get my mouth on you, you'll never be the same.'

His words came back to her. He'd been right. Morana looked down at the gun he'd picked up for her and handed back to her. She'd wanted something. He'd given it to her, in a way only he could. He'd not uttered a word. But he'd made his choice. So had she. Taking a deep breath in, Morana swallowed, stepping forward. And she followed him into the dark.

***

Tristan and Morana's story continues in The Reaper. Thank you for reading this book. If you've enjoyed it, please recommend it to a friend and leave a review.

The ending of "Predator" left my eyes stinging with unshed tears. The agony Tristan and Morana endured was almost unbearable, yet Tristan, for all his fictional flaws, remains perfect in my eyes. I can't wait to dive into the rest of the series...

I close the book, but the scenes replay in my mind, over and over again...

"Hey, aren't you late for your part-time job?" A sudden voice jerks me back to reality. I spin around to see my wide-eyed friend smirking behind me.

"It's past 6:30," she gestures toward the black wristwatch on my hand.

I glance down, and sure enough, the numbers glow back at me: 6:40 PM. My tutoring session starts at 7, which means I should have left at 6:30. And here I am, obsessing over a fictional man. Well, I can't complain-it's my favorite pastime, after all. A wide grin spreads across my face.

"On my way, Bitch!" I gather my things, leaving the rest strewn across the table.

"So, who's the lucky guy this time?" she asks, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"Tristan Caine," I reply, smiling even wider.

"And where does he rank on your list?" She raises an eyebrow, clearly hoping he might dethrone the reigning champion.

"Number two," I answer as I head out of the study hall.

No one can replace Aaron Warner, but I don't say that out loud.

"See you tomorrow!" I call back, waving as I hurry out.

My tutoring job is just a few blocks away, so I usually walk. It's good for my health and saves a little extra money. The next few hours pass as usual. I throw myself into teaching, and I genuinely love it. There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of breaking down complex topics into simple terms and seeing the light of understanding in my students' eyes. But passion doesn't pay the bills. Teaching might fill my soul, but it barely keeps my wallet afloat.

After coming back to my apartment, I added the one book from my bag to the shelf. It was already quite late, and I was too tired to cook a proper meal, so I just boiled some water for instant noodles-my lifesaver. After finishing my food, I left the dishes for later and collapsed onto the soft mattress of my bed, ready for a good night's sleep and perhaps a magical dream. My dreams are always filled with fantasy. I laugh, play strange games, and sometimes cry for a baby whose parents tried-and succeeded-in ending her life. More often than not, I spend time with Dominic, but only in my dreams.

I'm standing in the middle of a hotel corridor-a luxurious one, it seems. I spin around, only to realize I'm wearing an emerald green dress, the kind straight out of fantasy novels or my own imagination. As I walk slowly, taking in the surroundings, I spot a small boy, no older than five, peeking from behind a pillar.

"Hey, kiddo, what are you up to?" I ask softly, not wanting to startle him. His body gives a slight jerk before he turns around with uncanny balance and poise for someone so young. He examines me in silence, his face full of curiosity but his lips sealed. Trying to ease the tension, I ask, "Where am I?"

My question lingers in the air, but before he can respond, the sound of approaching footsteps breaks the silence. Without a word, the boy grabs my hand and pulls me into the nearest room. Once inside, I crouch down, pressing my ear against the door, listening for the fading footsteps. When I'm sure the stranger is gone, I turn around and let out a laugh-only to meet the boy's bright green eyes and glossy blonde hair, framing a perfect smile. A dimple forms as he grins at me.

"This is the headquarters of Sector 20, Miss," he says, his voice melodic and surprisingly mature. There's something about him that feels beyond his years, his face too wise for a child.

"And you really shouldn't be wandering around HQ in your princess dress," he smirks, a light tease in his tone. The realization hits me-he's no ordinary child, and I already know I'm going to find him insufferable.

We stare at each other, his cocky smirk meeting my narrowed eyes. Just then, a deep, commanding voice booms from the corridor: "Aaron."

Blonde hair. Green eyes. It clicks. My mouth opens to ask for his full name, but before I can speak, he's already gone, slipping out of the room in an instant. I try to move, to follow him, but I'm stuck, frozen in place.

Beep! Beep! Beep!
My eyes snap open...