Maddening (Cursed Superheroes #2)

And what about that pain I felt?

I shudder as I remember the agony, then glance down at my body, expecting my skin to be covered in wounds and nasty bruises. But I can’t find a scratch anywhere. I glance at a mirror on the wall and take in my reflection. The last time I looked in the mirror was… Well, I really can’t remember. But it’s been several years. The person staring back at me with wildly untamed black curls, big eyes, and full lips feels like a stranger. Yet, it has to be me since when I touch my lips, the girl does too. I’m not wearing the same clothes as I had on, though; black shorts and a matching T-shirt now covering my body. I wonder who changed me. Then I wonder if I should be weirded out about it since it was probably a stranger. I don’t feel very much of anything, though, except for confusion. Lots and lots of confusion. I try to recollect what happened, but nothing but darkness comes to me. Well, that and red eyes. But who—or what—did they belong to?

Just as the question crosses my mind, viney thorns map across my arms and weave up to my shoulders.

“What’s happening to me?” I mumble, my wide eyes fixed on the moving vines.

“You’re in transition.”

My head snaps up and my eyes zone in on a gorgeous and very familiar guy leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed and a cautious expression on his face.

“Caspian?” My hands tremble with the need to touch him and my lips beg to be sealed to his again.

The reaction is bizarre and—considering I have no clue what’s going on—completely unwelcomed at the moment. Well, almost.

“What is going on with me?” I ask, my gaze bouncing back and forth between him and my arms.

“You’re transitioning.” He speaks slowly, as if he thinks I’m an idiot. “I already explained this to you, Heartley, back at your place.” He straightens and takes a measured step toward me. “Your curse has been put into play and now you’re turning into a Maddening.”

Insert deflation on my part. “But I didn’t even get my few normal hours. Talk about a bummer.”

His brow crooks. “That’s what you’re worried about right now?”

“Sort of.” But I guess that does seem a bit strange. “Okay then, here’s a better question. Why am I cursed?” My gaze flicks back and forth between him and the vines crawling across my skin. “Because you never did explain that part to me. And what was that thing with the red eyes? And what is this place?” I gesture at the room, but my hand falls to my side as a darkness stirs inside me, mapping the same path as the vines on my flesh.

Feed.

Devour.

Break.

Feed.

Devour.

Break.

I don’t know why, but I get up and step toward him. He matches the move, reducing the space between us until he’s standing close enough for me to touch him. Then he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear.

“Look, I’m not very good with these sorts of things,” he says. “I don’t do well with others, which is why I’ve spent so much time alone. But I promised Leader I’d train and take care of you and after that kiss…” His gaze flits to my lips, then he blinks and looks back at me. “But anyway, I’m going to make sure you’re trained properly.”

“Trained for what?” I ask, my fingers itching to touch him.

“To become a superhero,” he replies with a shrug.

At first I think perhaps I heard him wrong, but when he remains silent, I gape at him. “You think I can become a superhero? Wow, did I take some of your sanity away?”

He struggles not to chuckle. “No. And trust me, becoming a superhero is better than the alternative.”

“Which is?”

“Stealing minds to feed your inner hunger.” He places his hand to the center of my chest, shuts his eyes, and breathes in deeply. “I can smell the hunger all over you right now.”

My heart flutters in my chest, mainly from his touch. “And you’re not afraid of me? That I’ll try to steal your mind?”

A smirk forms on his face as he opens his eyes. “You could try, but you wouldn’t succeed.” His hand slips up the front of me, curves across my neck, before finally residing on my cheek. “I’m way too strong.”

“Oh.” Puzzlement weaves through me. “So what exactly do I have to do to become a superhero? And what was the thing with the red eyes? And who cursed me—how did I get cursed?”

“Leader will explain all of that to you later,” he says, and I have the feeling he’s purposefully avoiding answering my questions. “But he refuses to come in until I take care of you.”

“Take care of me how?”