Maddening (Cursed Superheroes #2)(5)

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 tried 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.”