Maddening

  “And what if I did?” He places both his palms against the front of my cage, his amusement doubling. “Would you reach through the bars and touch me?”

  I swiftly shake my head. “No… No matter what you did, no one deserves that punishment.”

  His pierced brow cocks. “And what kind of punishment is that?”

  I shrug. “You’ll probably think I’m crazy if I tell you.”

  “Try me.”

  “Well, according to my parents, my touch will cause something worse than death. I’m not sure if that will happen or not, but it’s not like I’m going to try to touch someone to find out.”

  “Hmmm…”

  “Hmmm… As in you think I’m crazy?” I ask. “Or hmmm… That’s a very interesting story. I definitely won’t be touching you right now.”

  “Hmmm… as in Hmmm…” He grips the bars of my cage as he leans in close. “Although, there’s something definitely crazy about you. Or I guess, I should say maddening.”

  I frown, feeling silly. “See, I told you you’d think I was crazy.”

  “I didn’t say you were crazy. I just said that there’s something crazy about you, which you’ll understand eventually.”

  “You make no sense. But that’s okay. I don’t really care if you believe me or not. I just want to know what you did to my sister.”

  He deliberates something with his gaze fixed on me. “What if I said I killed her?”

  I swallow the painful lump in my throat. “Did you?”

  His gaze never wavers from mine. “I’m not going to answer that question until you answer mine. What would you do if I told you I killed your sister? Would you try to hurt me? Try to touch me and find out if your touch is truly terrible?”

  “No,” I whisper hoarsely, tears stinging at my eyes. My answer feels twistedly wrong, but nonetheless true. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

  His eyes narrow. “Liar.”

  I wipe away a tear that manages to escape. “I’m telling the truth… My touch… It’s supposed to do awful things and that’s why I won’t ever touch anyone.”

  “So you’re saying you’ve never touched anyone in your entire life?” he questions with cynicism.

  I shake my head, more tears pouring out of my eyes. “I did up until I was three. Then my parents found out about my curse. They didn’t know when it would happen, though, so I’ve never touched another human or otherworldly since that day to avoid risking someone getting hurt.”

  He steps back and crosses his arms. “And you just accepted what they told you? You didn’t question them?”

  “No… Why would I? They’re my parents.”

  He stands in front of my cage with his arms folded, a series of emotions flickering across his face. But mainly pity fills his eyes. Then he promptly shakes his head, squares his shoulders while lowering his hands to his sides. “You shouldn’t trust people. Most are liars.”

  “My parents weren’t.”

  “If you say so.”

  I ball my hands into fists at my side, getting frustrated. But before I can work up a good comeback, he steps toward the door to my cage.

  “But since you answered my question, I’ll answer yours,” he says. “I didn’t kill your sister. No one was home upstairs when I walked in.”

  “How did you get in then? Wasn’t the door locked by some magical charm? That’s what my parents always told me?”

  He shrugs. “It was, but I asked the door to open.”

  My brows dip. “What does that mean?”

  He smirks. “I bet you’d like to know, wouldn’t you?”

  I nod eagerly. “I really would… I can tell you’re not human, but I don’t know how I know that. And I don’t know much about otherworldly creatures except for what I’ve read in books. But books don’t really help when it comes to running into one in real life. Well, maybe they would if I lived in real life and actually saw otherworldly creatures on a daily basis. But since I live in here,” I shrug, “You’re the first anything I’ve met outside of my family in a really long time.”

  “How long?”

  “Fifteen years. Since my parents first found out what I’d become.”

  His smirk makes a grand appearance again, and I can’t decide if I hate it or love it. “You really shouldn’t have trusted them.”

  My lips curve into a hurt frown. “I wish you’d stop saying that.”

  “Fine, don’t believe me. I’ll prove it to you.” Then without warning, he slips his arm through the bars and grabs onto my arm.

  Panic flares up my throat and I let out a deadly scream, knowing when the noise ends, I’ll be consumed by the guilt of hurting someone.

  Chapter 4

  I scream until my lungs burns, until I run out of breath, until my heart aches…

  Until I realize nothing’s happening.

  The scream dies in my throat as the guy outside of the cage throws me a mocking smirk.

  “See? Nothing.” Arrogance rings in his tone as he withdraws his hand away from my arm.

  I instantly realize how warm his hand was making my skin. Warmth. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt anything like it before. Well, except for when the heater kicks on and when my dad used to sneak me down a cup of hot cocoa. I want the warmth back. Crave it. But I can’t help but wonder why the guy looks completely okay after touching me.

  Puzzlement cracks through me, leaving a jumble of pieces behind. “Is it because you’re not human? Is that why you’re not hurt?”

  He shakes his head. “It’s because the Shadow Teller only told your parents bits of the future, not the whole story, which has led to a lot of confusion and a lot of unnecessary seclusion on your part.”

  “I don’t understand.” My frown deepens as the confusion continues to splinter me apart. “What’s a Shadow Teller? And why would my parents lie to me?”

  “They didn’t lie per se. They just didn’t know the entire truth.” He taps his finger against the lock on the cage while studying me. “Eventually, though, your touch will become destructive. But, if you choose to, you can use it for a good cause. Personally, I wouldn’t. But considering you started out human… Well, you might be able to keep your conscious after the transition.”

  “Transition?”

  He sighs exhaustedly. “Look, I can’t explain everything right now. Not until the curse has been completed.” He starts to back away toward the door, but pauses as tears pool my eyes.

  “You’re leaving me locked inside here?” I ask, all teary eyed.

  He shrugs. “It’s just for one more day.”

  I knee walk over to the door of my cage and wind my fingers around the bars. “What happens in a day?”

  He seems awful squirmy over me turning into a big old cry baby. I feel bad for making him so uneasy, but I can’t seem to get the waterworks to shut off.

  He scratches at the back of his neck and shifts his weight. “You turn into what your parents told you you’d become.”

  More tears spill out of my eyes. “So, I only have one day before I become a monster.”

  He glances at the clock. “Actually, only a couple more hours.”

  I start to sob, my shoulders heaving. “But I’m not ready.”

  “Would you stop that.” His tone is crammed with impatience. “You’re acting ridiculous right now.”

  “I’m sorry.” I try to stop crying, but it’s no use. “It’s just that I’ve never done anything outside of the cage and now I never will.”

  “But you were okay with that a minute ago when you thought you were already a monster.”

  “I know, but now I realize that I could’ve lived a normal life up until now.” A thought occurs to me and the tears slowly subside. “I could have a few hours, though, if you’ll let me out.”

  He promptly shakes his head. “No fucking way.”

  I rack my mind for a way to get him to give into me. My sister once told me she manipulated guys by batting her eyelashes and pouting out her lip. I’ve never actually tri
ed doing it before, but I guess it doesn’t hurt to give it a try.

  I jut out my lip and bat my eyelashes as I kneel up straighter. “Pretty please. I swear I’ll be forever grateful. In fact, I’ll even do you a favor in return.”

  He narrows his eyes. “That won’t work on me.”

  I feign being dumb, batting my eyelashes again. “What won’t?”

  He frowns, puzzlement creasing his brow. I try to maintain my pouty face, hoping he doesn’t realize I’m trying to, as my sister puts it, “play him.” I feel bad for what I’m doing—being so manipulative—but I really want to be let out of my cage.

  Shaking his head, he huffs an exasperated breath then strides for my cage. “I’ll let you out on one condition.”

  I bob my head up and down. “I swear I’ll do anything you want.”

  His eyes briefly sparkle but the look quickly fades. “Don’t ever make that kind of promise to someone like me. You’re lucky I don’t have enough time to make you follow through with it.” He reaches for the lock on my cage. “I’ll let you out, but you have to promise to stay by me at all times. I have to keep an eye on you.”

  “Why?”

  “That’s another thing. If I let you out, you can’t ask me a ton of questions.”

  I pantomime zipping my lips up.

  He heaves a weighted sigh. “I have a feeling I’m going to regret this.” Then he taps the lock with his fingertips.

  The lock to my cage melts into a pool of metal.

  And just like that, I’m free for the first time in fifteen years.

  Chapter 5

  I stare at the agape door of my cage in shock. My heart is a flurry in my chest, sending doubt soaring through me. Is this really happening? Am I free? After all these years?

  “Are you going to just sit there or actually get out?” He taps the thick, leather watch on his wrist. “The clock’s ticking.”

  I inch closer to the door and stick out my arm through the opening. A smile lights up my face and I wiggle my fingers. “Freedom feels so good.”

  He rolls his eyes. “That might be true if you were actually out of the cage.” He reaches in, grabs my arm, and gently pulls me out of the cage.

  My heart leaps giddily at the feel of his fingers on my skin and then nearly does five hundred kickflips as my feet touch the floor outside of my cage. I wiggle my toes and take a deep breath of air, which somehow tastes fresher.

  “There, now you can say it.” He starts to release my arm, but I latch onto his hand with my free hand.

  “Just one more second, please.” I suck in a breath and another, letting the warmth of his contact glow across my skin. “You feel so good.”

  He scowls at me, but then his eyes widen as I place my hand against his chest.

  “You feel so solid.” I lightly pat his chest. “Like a rock or something.”

  He gives me a condescending grin. “How did you expect me to feel? All squishy and soft?”

  “Actually, yes. At least that’s how I remember humans feeling.” I tap my palm against his chest. “But you definitely aren’t smooshy.”

  He bites down on his bottom lip, either out of frustration or to stop himself from grinning—it’s really hard to tell since I haven’t been around people very much. “No, I’m not. But I’m also not human either.”

  I blink up at him. “What are you then? Because you never said. And you also forgot to tell me your name.”

  “Who said I forgot?”

  I pout. “So, you’re not going to tell me then?”

  He rolls his eyes. “Would you stop doing that?”

  “Doing what?”

  “That pouting thing. I know you’re doing it on purpose.”

  I stick my lip out further. He shakes his head. Then, with his fingertip, he pushes my lower lip back into place. Little does he know, though, that the feel of his finger against my lip makes me feel all gooey and warm inside, which only makes me want to stick out my lip again. Which is exactly what I start to do.

  “Stop,” he warns, holding his finger to my lip. “And I’ll tell you my name and what I am, but that’s it. Got it?”

  I bob my head up and down. He sighs again, something I’ve noticed he’s done a lot. I don’t know why, though.

  He waits for a few ticks of the clock, I guess to make absolutely certain I’m going to keep my lip in place. Then he says, “My name is Caspian and like you, I’m a Maddening.”

  Chapter 6

  So not what I was expecting. Well, except for maybe the name part. Caspian sort of fits him, at least if you ask me. But him being like me…

  “Wait a minute.” I cup my fingers around my arm where he touched me moments ago. “How is that possible if you touched me?” My gaze hurriedly drops to my arms and then my legs, searching for anything… Well, bad. But my skin is its usual pale color. “Why am I not… Well, I’m still not a hundred percent sure what my touch is supposed to do after I change into a… What did you call it? A Maddening?”

  He nods. “A Maddening is what I am and what you’ll become very soon.”

  “But what is a Maddening exactly? I mean, what happens to someone when you touch them? And why didn’t it happen to me?”

  He wavers. “I’m not sure I want to tell you.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I’m afraid you’ll get upset.”

  “Aw, you don’t want to upset me,” I say, feeling oddly touched. “That’s kind of sweet.”

  He rakes his fingers through his hair and shakes his head with a look of disbelief. “I’m not doing it to be sweet. I’m doing it because I’m afraid you’ll cry and I don’t want to deal with that right now. No, scratch that. I don’t want to deal with that ever.” The disbelief in his eyes fades as his features harden. “I hate people who cry—they’re weak.”

  I feel a sting of hurt, but then again… “But technically I’m not a person, so I guess I don’t really count, right?”

  He blinks then shakes his head and mutters, “Good God, you’re going to drive me nuts. I never should’ve agreed to train you.”

  “Train me for what?”

  He dismisses me with a wave. “You’ll learn about that later. Right now, we need to get going before he shows up.” He starts for the door, taking long, even strides.

  I clumsily trip after him, my legs struggling against the foreign movement. It’s been so long since I’ve walked someplace else besides my cage.

  “Before who shows up?” I ask, bracing my hand on the doorframe as I reach it.

  He glances over his shoulder at me. “When I told you I’d let you out, you promised you wouldn’t ask a lot of questions, yet that’s all you’ve been doing.”

  “Sorry.” I chew on my bottom lip, trying to fight the urge to ask the question burning on the tip of my tongue. But ultimately, I lose. “Can you at least tell me what a Maddening is? Then I promise I’ll keep my lips shut.”

  “You seriously are a pain in the ass.” He turns suddenly and closes the distance between us.

  I nearly fall over from the suddenness, but he catches me by the waist and steers me backwards until my back is pressed against the wall. Then his hands come down against the wall, so my head is trapped between his arms. My heart thunders inside my chest, not out of fear but from startling excitement.

  “Are you sure you want to know?” he asks in a low tone, his face inching toward mine. “Because once you find out, there’s no turning back.”

  I wet my dry lips with my tongue and his eyes flick in the direction of my mouth. It makes me wonder how gross my lips look—how gross I look. “I-I want to know.” The uncertainty in my voice causes me to cringe. I hastily clear my throat and give it another go. “I want to—no, need to know; otherwise I’ll go crazy.”

  “I’d really be careful how easily you throw the word crazy around.” He bites on his bottom lip, mulling over something. “All right, I’ll tell you. But just for the record, I tried to warn you.” He drags out a pause as if waiting for me to chic
ken out and then blows out a breath. “When a Maddening touches someone, it drives that person to the brink of insanity within a matter of seconds.”

  I gulp. “And how long do they stay like that?”

  His intense gaze carries mine. “Forever.”

  Chapter 7

  “Forever?” Shock lashes through me, powerful and potent. “But then…” Tears sting in my eyes as my future opens up in front of me. “No one will ever want to be with me—won’t be able to be with me. I’ll die alone….” My teary eyes drift to my cage, my home for nearly a decade and a half, and then my gaze returns to Caspian. “Wait? How come you can touch me and I don’t go crazy? I mean, I haven’t transitioned yet, so shouldn’t I be insane by now?”

  “No, you’re cursed, so my powers don’t work on you,” he says, warily eyeballing the tears streaming down my cheeks. “You’re crying again.”

  “I’m sorry.” I sniffle, but tears continue to pour out of my eyes. “But what do you mean by cursed? Cursed how exactly?”

  “That will be revealed in time.” His tone is tight. “For the love of God, Heartley, would you please knock off the crying. It’s not the end of the world.”

  “Yes, it is.” I gripe through a sob. “I’ll never be able to touch anyone.”

  “That’s not entirely true,” he reminds me. “You’ll be able to touch anyone with Maddening blood inside their veins, like me.”

  A few tears leak from my eyes, but I manage to get my sobbing under control. “Just how many of you… us are there?”

  He shrugs. “Not that many.”

  I frown, my eyes bubbling with tears. “So I’ll just be stuck with whoever I can find?”

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” His lips threaten to turn into a smirk. “But how can it be when I’m in that category? After all, you already established that you think I’m rock solid.”

  “Actually I said solid like a rock, which technically isn’t the same thing.”