Untouched (Denazen #1.5)(9)

“But you have an idea,” Dez said. She pushed away from the table and came to stand in front of me, resting a hand against my cheek. Some of the tension eased at her touch. She wanted to ask me questions but kept them to herself, knowing I didn’t like to talk about certain things.

If possible, it made me love her more.



“I think we should go.” I turned to Kiernan. “Have you made a decision? Are you coming back with us?”

She nodded. “I told you, I’ve heard some stuff about these Denazen people. As long as you guys are on the up, then count me in.”

I nodded and moved closer to the door. “We can take your truck. I don’t think it’s a good idea to go back for your things or Ginger’s car. At least not now. Maybe in a week or so…”

Dez frowned and grabbed my hand. “Hang on. We should still hit at least one coaster on the way out. This was supposed to be like a mini vacation.”

I frowned. I hated to see her disappointed, but it wasn’t worth the chance. “What did Sue say to us before we left? About time?”

Dez’s frown melted into a smile. “We’re young. We have plenty of time.” She brushed a quick kiss across my lips and suddenly I couldn’t remember what I’d been saying.

I sighed, contentment replacing the worry in my muscles. She had that effect on me. “You are far more dangerous than Denazen could ever be…”

She nipped at my bottom lip and winked. “You know you love it.”

And she was right. I did.

“Huh,” Kiernan said. “What’s up with those guys?”

I turned to see what she was referring to and the air froze in my lungs. Grabbing Dez’s hand, I hissed, “Move. Back the way we came.”

Dez didn’t look around. She didn’t stop and ask questions. Kiernan, on the other hand, did. “What? What gives?”

Dez took her hand and yanked her forward. “It’s them. They’re here.”

The girl’s eyes widened. “Them, as in—”

“Denazen,” I spat. The word tasted bitter. “Lead the way. We should move calmly but quickly, through the park to the entrance where we came in. Attract as little attention as possible.”



Kiernan nodded, her expression finally showing fear. Good. I needed her to take this seriously. I didn’t think the agents had seen us, so our chances of slipping away unnoticed were still better than average.

“No good.” Dez stopped short, turning to examine a large blue bear to our right. “There are two a little down that way. See them? By the guy with the big mallet?”

“I see them.” I turned and scanned the area. “What’s down that alley? Behind the blue building across from us?”

“Um.” Kiernan looked nervous. “I think it’s all maintenance stuff. Where they keep the cleaning supplies and extra equipment.”

“Perfect. Wait until they turn, then cross the path. We go one by one. Try and stay with the crowd.” I peered around the large blue toy. “Okay, Kiernan. Go!”

She hesitated but then thankfully moved into action, stepping into the crowd and weaving through to the other side. When she ducked behind the edge of the building, I ran a finger along the edge of Dez’s cheek. “Be careful.”

She kissed me and was gone, the cold lingering in her wake almost painful. As she weaved in and out of the crowd, I watched with breath held until I saw her arrive safely on the other side.

My turn. I stepped onto the path, moving between a man carrying a handful of balloons and another wheeling a cart filled with what looked like jewelry. “Okay,” I said to Kiernan after reaching the other side. “Which way is the front entrance?”

“Going? Already? It’s not on my account, is it?” a voice said from behind us.

I froze. As much as my brain rebelled against the possibility, I knew that voice. Cold and devoid of all redeeming human qualities, it was a piece of my past I could never erase.

“Down. Everyone look down!” I hissed.

Beside me, Dez stilled and dropped her gaze to the ground without question. From the corner of my eye, I saw Kiernan do the same.



I didn’t need to see the man to know what he looked like. He was tall, with broad shoulders and silver white hair. On his face would be the sickest, most disturbing smile I’d ever seen. Eyes, soulless and dark, with a small scar above the right one—put there by me—and another, larger scar across the back of his left hand. He would walk with the slightest of limps. An old injury from war, he’d once said. From the days of being a soldier.

His name spilled from my lips. “Samsen…”

The name, like the voice, chilled me to the core. In an instant, I was a child again, alone and helpless, and at the mercy and sick whims of a madman.

Head still down, I searched the space beside me until I found Dez’s hand and wound my fingers tightly through hers. “Don’t look into his eyes.”

Kiernan tilted her head toward me, confused. “Why are we not looking at him?”

With a chuckle, Samsen answered for me. “I’m what Denazen calls a Charmer—Samsen Cain, at your service. Miss McGuire, correct? We’ve been looking for you.”

Kiernan thrust her hands into her pockets, never looking up. “Yeah? Seems like I’m pretty popular today.”