Untouched
By Jus Accardo
3.5/5
()
About this ebook
Until he met Dez, Kale's days were filled with violence and death. He was used as a weapon of destruction by the power hungry men of Denazen. He's a Six. A person with an abnormal ability. Some people call them gifts, but not Kale. Kale's touch means instant death to anyone.
But now there's Dez, the girl he can touch, and they're hunting down Sixes and warning them about Denazen. Kale is learning about the world outside captivity and trying to put his dark past behind him. But they underestimated how badly Denazen wanted him back.
When Dez sacrifices herself to save the new Six they rescued from falling into the corp's hands, Kale is lost. Denazen has brought out its best to get the job done. Samsen, a nightmare from Kale's past—the only person he's ever truly feared—has come for them, and it soon becomes obvious he has his own twisted agenda.
Kale will need all his training to get Dez back and ensure they all make it out, free–and alive. But will it be enough?
The Denazen series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1: Touch
Book #1.5: Untouched (novella)
Book #2: Toxic
Book# 2.5: Faceless (novella)
Book #3: Tremble
Book #4 Transcendent
Read more from Jus Accardo
Darker Days Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Darker Past Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
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Reviews for Untouched
16 ratings4 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Untouched (Denazen # 1.5) by Jus Accardo
Untouched is a short novella, all told from Kale’s point of view, the interesting thing about the story being told by Kale is that he sees things very different from everyone else due to he was locked up and isolated for a very long time. Since he has never experiences everyday things we get to see firsthand his confusion and lack of humor. I have to say it was great reading this story from Kale’s point of view.
Kale and Dez have set out to track down other Sixes, warning them of the Denazen Corp and offering them a safe place to go. Of course people from the Denazen Corp are right behind them trying to capture Kale once again. Kale and Dez will have to fight for their lives and Kale knows that no matter what he has to keep Dez safe. Dez is the only person he can touch without killing them and Kale would do anything to protect her.
Jus Accardo has done an excellent job writing this short novella, the story is written extremely well and of course you never set it down till you reach the end. I cannot wait to read book 2 in this series….....Toxic is to be released in September 2012.
Oh yes and the cover is fantastic. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5When I opened Untouched on my Kindle, I was surprised to find it is written from Kale's POV. This was a major plus for me!Dez and Kale are tracking down their fellow Sixes and warning them about Denazen and offering them a safe place to go. While trying to convince one of the Sixes they have tracked down, they offer her to go to an amusement park with them. Of course, trouble is never far behind Dez and Kale, and it catches up with them while at the amusement park.This novella definitely leaves you itching to read book 2 (Toxic), which will be available in September.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Untouched by Jus Accardo is a novella that takes place between the first and second book of the series. If you haven't read Touch, I recommend that you do so before you read this book. There are some definite spoilers if you haven't read the first book. I haven't read the first book yet so this is my first introduction to Dez and Kale. Accardo did an excellent job with filling in the blanks so I didn't feel lost while reading.In this novella, the main characters, Dez and Kale are searching for others like them. The find Kiernan McGuire. In order to convince her to come with them, they have to earn her trust. They end up at an amusement park where the atmosphere is more laid back. Kale starts to become paranoid that someone is following them. His worst fears are realized and he has to confront an old enemy.This is a great story line. The characters have abilities sort of like X-Men. The Denazen want to use them for their own evil purposes. The characters are great. I love the relationship between Dez and Kale. They compliment each other in a lot of ways. I think readers will like this series a lot. It has action, romance, and adventure.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I enjoyed “Untouched”, I did. But I wanted more. I know, I know, this is only a novella to hold the readers over until “Toxic” is released, but I needed more.Let’s discuss the great things about “Untouched”, shall we?Kiernan, a character that I hope will play a larger part in “Toxic”, is introduced in “Untouched”. She is a lot like Dez, so she’s easy to like. In fact, I may actually like her better than Dez. She’s witty, her power is awesome, and she’s seriously kick-ass. The scene with the broom? Can I high-five my computer screen, or would that be strange? ‘Cause she is pretty awesome in that scene.The relationship between Dez and Kale: I loved the development of their relationship throughout “Touch”. What’s even better is that in this novella, you get to see just how much Dez means to Kale, as the story is told through his point of view. He would do anything for her, and he manages to prove that near the end.What I didn’t like:Honestly, my only problem with “Untouched” is that I needed more. I would’ve liked to learn a bit more about Kiernan. I would’ve even liked to see the Kale and Samsen battle play out a bit more.One of my favorite quotes: “Sometimes I wonder at your complete disregard for safety…” Her lips tilted upward and a grin lit her entire face. Leaning close, warm breath caressed my neck as she whispered, “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”Accardo, Jus (2012-03-27). Untouched (Kindle Locations 782-784). Entangled Publishing. Kindle Edition.If you haven’t already, may I suggest you pick up a copy of “Touch”? Seriously, if you haven’t checked out this series yet, you’re missing out.
Book preview
Untouched - Jus Accardo
A Denazen Novella
UNTOUCHED
JUS ACCARDO
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2012 by Jus Accardo. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.
Entangled Publishing, LLC
2614 South Timberline Road
Suite 109
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com.
ISBN 978-1-62061-015-2
Edited by Liz Pelletier
Cover design by Liz Pelletier
Manufactured in the United States of America
As always, for Kevin. My own personal miracle.
1
This is the last one, right?
Reluctantly, I pulled my hand away and wiggled my fingers back into the glove. There. Now it was safe to proceed. The material ensured I didn’t accidentally dust someone, as Dez liked to put it.
She smiled and reclaimed my hand, fingers trailing to my wrist, then slipping beneath the cuff of the glove. Skin on skin. There was nothing like it. Dez was the first person—the only person—I’d ever been able to touch.
Second to last. One more after this. Why? In a rush to go home?
she said, nudging my shoulder playfully. Her grin widened. It was hard resisting the urge to remove the glove and run the tips of my fingers along the edge of her bottom lip when she smiled at me like that.
Like I was the only other person in the world.
We were standing on the sidewalk in front of a small, blue two-level house. To the left was a driveway with a purple SUV sitting at the edge. Beyond the truck was a thick batch of trees trimmed with bushes that were dotted with small pink flowers. It would be easy dragging Dez into the shade. A few kisses. That’s all. I could tickle the spot behind her left ear, making her laugh—my favorite sound in the world—and watch her eyes light up as she told me about the things she had planned for us. After we spoke with the girl who lived here—Kiernan McGuire—we were going to an amusement park.
You promised me my first coaster ride,
I said, leaning in to brush a quick kiss across her nose. She rose onto her toes and rubbed her nose against mine. There was a name for it—Dez had told me a few nights ago. Something about Eskimos, but I couldn’t remember, and it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered when I was with Dez.
The sooner we get in, the sooner we get out. I’m dying for adrenaline-pumping chaos and some serious Kale time.
I laced my fingers among hers and tugged her toward the house. I loved her idea of Kale time and was eager to get started. So what do we know about her? About Kiernan McGuire?
We climbed the steps, and Dez pushed the small golden button next to the doorknob. Musical chimes sounded from the other side of the door.
Um, pretty much her name.
I frowned. That’s all?
We’d spent the summer tracking down Sixes, kids with special abilities, on the list her cousin gave us. All targets of the Denazen Corporation, the Sixes were getting visits warning them of the danger one by one. Other than the obvious perks of getting to spend time with Dez, it felt good to be doing something helpful. Working to save lives instead of ending them. That’s inconvenient.
Dez laughed and bumped me with her hip, and I in turn bumped her back. I was learning. You got spoiled with those last few.
She was right. I knew none of these people meant us harm, but I still liked to know what we were walking into. The last few names on the list had been complete with information on the target. Age, ability—one even had a list of blood relatives and what state they resided in. But apparently not this one.
Yeah?
A girl appeared in the doorway. She was tall and looked a bit older than Dez, with long purple hair that hung wildly in her face. She must be the owner of the truck in the driveway. It matched her hair, so it made sense to me. Dez didn’t own a car, but if she did, I was betting it would be white and black. Cars were supposed to match their owners. I was pretty sure that’s how it worked. Or maybe it was furniture.
Possibly pets...
I was still getting a handle on things. Nothing in the outside world was simple.
Dez smiled at the girl. My name’s Dez, and this is Kale. We’re looking for Kiernan McGuire?
Who are Dez and Kale?
the girl asked, folding her arms.
I pointed to Dez and said, She just told you. Dez.
Pointing to myself, I said, Kale.
The girl blinked several times, and for a few moments, she said nothing. When she finally did speak, her demeanor changed. I’ve already seen the light. Praise the Lord, hallelujah, no meat on Fridays. All that happy horseshit.
I glanced at Dez, confused. No meat on Fridays? Is there some rule no one’s told me about?
She started to close the door, but Dez was too fast. She rolled her eyes, wedged a shoe in front of the door, and shook her head. "We’re not missionaries or whatever—we’re here about your ability."
The girl’s eyes narrowed. She was instantly suspicious. Ability? You mean my super-exotic ability to tie a cherry stem into a neat little bow using me tongue?
We’re Sixes. Like you. We have abilities.
Maybe if I were completely honest, she would see she could trust us. Until recently, I was a prisoner of the Denazen Corporation. Have you heard of them?
Just saying the name made my muscles twitch. Until a few months ago when I’d met Dez, I’d lived at the Denazen facility. A prisoner. Used and manipulated by power-hungry men for their own personal agenda.
She turned her attention to Dez. Is it time for his meds?
Dez folded her arms and stared the girl down. Her resolve face. You know damn well what we’re talking about, so cut the crap. We’ll be in and out and make this as painless as possible. I promise.
The girl sighed, lips twisting into an unfriendly smile, but pushed the door open and gestured us forward. As I was about to step inside, a chill ran down my spine and I could have sworn I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. A white and black blur. I turned back to the street, scanning the area to the left and then to the right. There was nothing in sight except several parked cars and a man walking a very small dog—neither of which were black or white. As the door closed behind me, I tried to bury the uneasy feeling.
The feeling that we were being watched.
2
I don’t have anything to offer you, so let’s get on with it.
The girl settled on the couch, watching us with cautious eyes. She knew what Denazen was. I could tell from the slight twitch in her eyebrow when I’d mentioned it on the steps. Body language could give you more answers than actual conversation if you just knew what