Devil May Lie (The Devils of Vitality)

by Chani Lynn Feener

Berga rose to his feet. He’d kill him. A life for a life. A life for a life. That was fair. Fair.

Oh. He’d hit the wrong person. “Berga.” A palm settled over his, gently, the accompanying voice almost soothing. “It’s okay, baby. I’m still with you.”

“Hey.” Madden was holding him, and he continued to speak softly, waiting for Berga to meet his gaze. “You coming back to me, baby?”

“Back…” He shook his head, not understanding. “People can’t come back. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Once they’re…” A flash of pink to the right.

“Don’t.” Madden rested a hand on Berga’s face and redirected until they were facing one another again. “Stay with me. Just me. I’m right here.” ...

“Want you?” Did he want him? Didn’t he want him? The dizziness rushed over him before he could make up his mind. “Oh.” “The drug is kickin...

Should he close the blinds now? His room at the Docks had a large window that greeted the sun first thing every morning. It was one of his favorite features, but Berga needed his rest, and if it woke him—

“Are you even listening to me, Madden?” Kaz growled. “He’s coming with me. He isn’t yours to keep.” “He is,” he corrected. “He’s Satellite.”

“This happened at my venue,” he stated. “My doctor checked him over, and he’s currently lying in my bed. He is mine, and if you keep pushing this issue, I’ll pick up that knife ...

“I should have hit him harder.” “I would have shot you in the back of the skull,” Madden said, settling down on the edge of the bed at Berga’s side. He wrung his hands to keep himself from doing something rash but found himself adding darkly, “Still might.”

“Whatever,” Kaz dismissed him and glowered at Madden all over again. “Since when was Berga someone you’d start a war for? Dating?” He snorted. “Yeah right. You’re not his type.” “What makes you say that?” Madden asked.

“I’ve seen the guys he’s hooked up with in the past. They look nothing like you. They’re soft and sweet, for one. You’re—” “Majestic and amazing?” Madden ran a hand through his hair and winked. “If you’re making jokes, you must not care about him as much as you’re trying to make it seem.

“As always, had a fantastic evening, Madden. You never disappoint in the entertainment department.” “Are you saying watching my man have a breakdown in front of an audience is entertaining?” Madden saw red. “Because if so—”

“Are you still not going to tell me what’s wrong with him?” He felt…helpless.

When he’d spotted Berga standing in the middle of the track, staring off at nothing, mumbling under his breath…It’d been so obvious something was horribly wrong. “He had the same look in his eye as that day at the Academy.”

“Berga is violent,” Madden added, “but he doesn’t get physical with anybody.” Absently, he lifted a hand to the bandaged wound on his left shoulder.

He’d wanted to test the waters, see if Berga was the type who would withdraw at the sight of potential competition to protect himself, or if he’d get jealous and speak up. It’d seemed like it was going the way of the latter, at least up until he’d started hallucinating.

Would have been pretty even if not for his otherwise ugly features. And the whole blowing up Madden’s hoverbike thing. And not being the Butcher.

“Does it look like we’re close, baby?” Madden asked, indicating the gun with his chin.

“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.”

I am off limits. What’s mine is off limits.” He leaned toward the shaking man. “Understood?”

“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,”

Had Madden brought him home and left him? Again? What a prick.

“I’m merely gathering all of the details so I know if it’ll be necessary to tie you down.” Berga frowned. “Excuse me?” “You might feel okay, but you were sick for a while. You need to stay here and rest. Flix is a big boy. Whatever he’s gotten himself into, he can handle it without your help.”

“You were unconscious,” Madden reminded. “I needed to make sure you were protected.” “And you?” “I told you. I had it—” “Okay.”

“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.”

“I’m protective of my things, too. Which is why you’re staying in tonight. If Flix needs help, I’ll take care of it. You just focus on recovering.”

“You’re making it sound like you did a lot of thinking.” “I have.” “Why?” “Because,” Madden repeated, “you’re mine.”

“Like it or not, Butcher, you need me. So far, I’m the only one you’ve ever met that can help chase away your demons.” “They aren’t demons,” he found himself insisting, if not a bit petulantly. “They’re ghosts.”

“You call me things in your head?” “Sure. Jekyll. Baby,” he rested his elbows on the counter and leaned in, “mine.”

He’d never imagined anything like this could ever happen to him. Eating food in his kitchen purchased by a lover? Sitting here waiting while they took a call, like it was normal. Like they really were dating… Were they? Did he want them to be?

He’d been too wary to sleep these past couple of nights, too worried that something might happen to Berga or those guys might return. Madden could take care of himself, but unconscious, his man was vulnerable, and ensuring his safety had to come first. Even before his Royal duties.

He’d find the right time to tell him. Right now, Berga was still struggling with coming to terms with the fact the two of them were together. He’d need to beat that detail into his brain first and would worry about the rest later. But not, like, literally beat.

“Having a way to tie the Butcher to me isn’t a bad thing,” Kelevra mussed. “But Baikal may be a harder sell.” “I’m not with him so you can use him,” Madden warned. “Noted.”

“Then what are you doing? Because I’ve never known you to get serious over a person before. If this is a game—” “It isn’t.” There was a pause and then, “What if it’s a game to the Butcher?” Madden’s eyes narrowed. “Then I’ll figure out a way to change the rules in my favor.”

He snorted. “I certainly wasn’t there to watch you allow those people to throw themselves all over you.” “Sorry, sorry. It was a test of sorts,” Madden admitted.

“Not necessarily. Not if you tell me you were jealous of those fans.” Berga clicked his tongue and sighed. “It made me slip into psychosis, what do you think?” Madden stiffened. “It what?”

“Don’t look so put off. I don’t blame you or anything. Neither of us knew that was a possibility. But apparently, I must subconsciously like you a lot more than I realized. Seeing you give in to all those people's advances had me…” He seemed to struggle with the right word for a moment and said, “Unsettled.”

“Did you think I didn’t want you anymore?” he dared ask. “That I’d abandon you?” “Tossing me to the side isn’t that farfetched of an idea,” Berga stated. “Even my parents were capable. Why wouldn’t you, a man I’d only fucked a couple of times, be less capable of it than them?”

“So…you’re going to let me fuck you just to keep me around?” Madden wasn’t sure why that bothered him so much, but it did. It left a bad taste in his mouth and he was scowling before he knew it.

“I like you,” Madden stated plainly. “Do you like me?” “I’m invested in figuring this thing out.” He sighed. “Sometimes you’re too blunt, Butcher.”

“Screw the doctor.” Berga hummed and corrected, “Actually, don’t. In fact, if I find out you’ve touched anyone other than me while we’re figuring this out, I’ll—”

“That’s just it, Butcher,” Madden stopped him. “Since that first night, I haven’t wanted anyone else.” “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.

Madden sighed. “It’s too late, baby, for more than just denial. You’re the one who told that redheaded moron to spread the word I’m yours. We may have been holed up here the past few days, but I still have ears on the streets.”

“I would prefer it if you didn’t bleed,” Berga replied tentatively, as though confused by his own words. “Believe it or not.”

“If I wanted it sweet,” the Butcher ended up growling, “I would have asked your friend Zane to fuck me instead.” Yeah, that would do it.

“Setting aside the fact Zane is a strict bottom, I absolutely dare you to say that again. You aren’t the only one capable of losing their minds from jealousy, Butcher.” “Then if you want me,” he countered, “I suggest you start acting like it, or—”

Though, he never would have guessed in a million years someone like Berga Obsidian would become his target. Or that he was playing for keeps.

He’d realized that earlier when Berga had still been unconscious and Madden had sat by his side, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest. Life was so delicate, so fleeting, even for Vitals who were stronger and had faster heal times than many other species. Allowing his whims to guide him had always been his way, but it was apparent that this was definitely more than that. He was drawn to the Butcher.