Devil May Lie (The Devils of Vitality)

by Chani Lynn Feener

“I don’t enjoy hurting others. It doesn’t get me going. But my pain?” He drove in as deep as he could go. “Claw me harder if you want this to be over quicker.”

When Berga thought about how he’d touched every last inch of that just last night, how it’d been all over him—inside him, even—he shuddered before he could help it. And not in an entirely unpleasant way. He needed to get out of here.

He’s sprung

“No, thank you.” He grabbed his keys from the floor, biting the inside of his cheek when his back panged as he lifted. “I’ll have someone deliver the pills.” “Bring them yourself.” “That won’t be necessary.” “What if I want to see you again?” He paused on his way to the door. Was the Royal serious? “Also, not necessary.” “I’m not a fan of that answer, Butcher.”

This is why you gotta be careful who you drug and sleep with Berga baby.

But he was also weird and aloof and lacked social skills. He’d make for a shit romantic partner, and— Wait. Why was he thinking that far ahead?

Sprung

Berga tilted his head. “You don’t sound regretful.” “Yes, because that was sarcasm.” “So…You do find me robotic?” “No, that—” Madden closed his eyes and inhaled slowly. “Let’s try this again, Butcher, shall we? Fuck me, and I’ll delete the video.”

Ahhh!

Berga must have misheard. It sounded a lot like Madden Odell had just propositioned him, which, for various reasons, couldn’t be the case.

My guy said “Sir, this is a Wendy’s”

“Good Light, that’s so hot. Seeing you like this, all messed up and coming apart at the seams for me…You’re so sexy. You might be the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.

We love our fictional possessive/ obsessive men!

The test may have been conclusive, but he was far from satisfied with the results. Liking to bottom was one thing. Needing Madden to top him was another.

“Dislocate my left shoulder,” Madden stopped and ordered before he could think better of it. Kelevra quirked a dark brow. “Excuse me?” “Do it.” It was crazy and extra as hell, but… “He’ll be able to tell if I go in with a fake injury.” That would be way more embarrassing than Madden sticking to his side like glue until he agreed to sleep with him again.

I love it. Thats dedication right there

“You flatter yourself too much.” Madden sat up. “Why? Who gave better head than me? Was it Flix?” “Why do you sound jealous every time you say his name?” It was an observation, one he shouldn’t have spoken aloud,

Because he is jealous!!!!

“Madden.” The man was absolutely infuriating. “You do realize I could melt your insides, right? You wouldn’t even know it was happening until it was too late.” “Yeah,” he grinned, “that’s kind of hot.” “What is wrong with you?” “Cute, coming from the guy who just threatened to turn me to goo.” So they were both fucked up. Shocker.

😂

Madden didn’t know what to call them, but he knew he wanted more moments like that. Which meant he needed to turn this thing between them into something more than a mere distraction.

🥹

“You think you’re all that? Too good for us? Think again. You ain’t Brumal, which means you’re not untouchable.” Untouchable was exactly what he was,

Right! Like who do y’all even think you’re dealing with?

“Right.” Idiots. “So I murdered someone who owed you coin, and you lot thought it would be a smart idea to storm in here, destroy my hoverbike, and threaten me? You said it yourself, I’m a member of the Retinue, a Royal, and known killer. What part of that equation made you wrongly assume I also must be a pushover?”

Tell em’!

“Royal Madden Odell belongs to the Butcher.” Gently, he took the blaster out of the trembling man's hands. “And I’m protective of my things.”

AHHHHHH!!! Now kith!

“Tell me I’ve never looked hotter,” Berga ordered, and as the only other person still with him, it was obvious he was talking to Madden. “You’re legitimately the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I know you don’t like it on you, but red really is your color, baby,” he said, watching closely as the Butcher’s shoulders started to quake.

Power couple!!!!

“I told him my boyfriend was ill and needed something healthy,” Madden stated. “He knows I’m a shit cook so—” “You did not tell him I’m your boyfriend.” “Not by name, but otherwise? Yes.” “I am not—” “You’re mine,” Madden cut him off. “I’ll call you what I like.”

“Don’t fall for me, Mad King,” Berga warned. “This is just another experiment, there will eventually be a conclusion.” Maybe to him, but for Madden, it was already so much more than that. “Agreed. It’s when one of us dies.”

He liked the idea of there being no one else for the Mad King. Of being his only one. Of knowing that, not only was there a person out there that belonged to him alone, but also that there was someone who wanted him badly enough to give up all others.

After sex, however, he became possessive. He knew that. His mind was always filled with thoughts of tying the Mad King to him and keeping him forever. Maybe life partner wasn’t too far out of the realm of possibility.

Berga was at full mast now and already leaking for him. “Tell me anyway,” Madden insisted. “I want to hear you say it.” “I want you.” “Again.” “I want you to fill me up and make me scream.”

AHhhh! I love them

“I want to map your entire body and commit it to memory. I think of you when I’m awake and dream of you when I’m asleep. You’re my damn multi-slate wallpaper background.” “No shit?” Berga seemed surprised and Madden chuckled. “When did you take a picture of me?” “Once when you were sleeping.

I love them so much

“That’s descriptive.” Berga tilted his head. “I think I understand how other people feel when I start talking about my experiments.” “Too far?” “Yes,” he grabbed onto the back of Madden’s neck, pulling him in closer, “but also no.”

They’re in love! Toxic love!

“I just wanted to touch your hair!” he yelled, realizing how absolutely insane he sounded. “I know I’m crazy. I know—” “You never wanted me.” Madden removed the earrings. “You’ve never thought of me as a person, let alone a partner. You were just going to take what you wanted and then walk away like nothing even happened.” “That isn’t true,” he insisted. “Yes, it started out that way, but—” “Take these back.” He held out his hand, clutching the earrings in a tight fist.

Sila you are such a fucking asshole for causing this

no. A good person would say they regretted it all. Would feel bad that they’d hurt the one person they cared the most about. But Berga didn’t say any of that, because it would just be another lie. Another twisting of the full truth. If he could go back in time and change things, he wouldn’t. Because all of those choices had led him to Madden. “Even if he kills me,” Berga told them, “it’d have been worth it.”

Bay adjusted his glasses and sheepishly glanced between him and Berga. “What’s the last thing you remember, exactly?” He pursed his lips and considered the question. “I was at the Docks…Great and Muse were helping me

Not an amnesia storyline!! I hate it

“Madden can go on like nothing happened because he doesn’t remember anything,” Berga interrupted. “I do not have that luxury.”

“Then you need to make a decision, quick. Either forget about him, or quit your position as the Butcher.” “All right.” Baikal blew out a breath. “Good. I’m glad—” “I quit.”

Woooooooooooooow. My man is serious

“For a certified genius,” he hissed, “you’re a real fucking moron, Jekyll.” “I—” Wait. Berga’s eyes popped open. “What did you just—” Before he could finish, Madden did as he was told. He pulled the trigger.

I knew it! As soon as he used the words "experiment" i knew he remembered

“I was afraid you’d eventually see me for what I am and leave,” he confessed, and it so obviously pained him to do so, Madden almost took pity on him after all. Almost.

🥺

“I couldn’t live without you,” Berga said, his words causing Madden to fumble and still. “What?” “I’d rather die,” he turned his head on the floor so he could meet his gaze over his shoulder, face covered in tear tracks, “than live in a world where you were disgusted by me.”

Ugh, my baby! 🥺🥺🥺

When I overheard you talking with Sila, I was terrified you meant it. That you were planning on leaving me.” “No,” Berga shook his head. “When he asked me that, I was still talking about in the beginning. I planned on drugging us both, having sex with you, and then that being it. That’s what I meant. I want you.” He brought his bound wrists over Madden’s head, holding onto him. “I want you forever.”

“Tell me you’re mine,” Madden ordered. “I’m yours.” “Tell me you love me.” “I—” Berga’s cheeks flushed. “I love you.” “I love you, too.”

AHHHHHHHH!

“So when I tell them later that I’m keeping their son and stripping him of their pathetic last name, they’ll know what shitty parents they’ve been all this time.” “Wait.” Berga scrambled to right himself, but Madden shoved him back down. “You’re what?!” “Berga Odell,” he tested it out. “Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

“Just keep them on me,” he said. “Always on me. Always look at me just like this, like I’m the most important thing in your whole universe.” “You got it, Butcher.” Madden kissed him, soft and tender. “That’ll be easy. Because you are.”

My babies!