Vicious (Villains, #1)

by V.E. Schwab

Life—the way it really is—is a battle not between Bad and Good, but between Bad and Worse. —Joseph Brodsky

All Eli had to do was smile. All Victor had to do was lie. Both proved frighteningly effective.

And Victor was coming for Eli—just as he’d promised he would.

wha

The moments that define lives aren’t always obvious. They don’t always scream LEDGE, and nine times out of ten there’s no rope to duck under, no line to cross, no blood pact, no official letter on fancy paper. They aren’t always protracted, heavy with meaning. Between one sip and the next, Victor made the biggest mistake of his life, and it was made of nothing more than one line. Three small words. “I’ll go first.”

Eli, who believed in God and had a monster inside just like Victor, but knew how to hide it better.

Because Eliot Cardale hadn’t aged a day.

so is he dead or not

The worst part of going numb was that it took away everything but this, the smothering need to hurt, to break, to kill, pouring over him like a thick blanket of syrup until he panicked and brought the physical sensations back.

“Maybe to a point, but when I climbed into that water, I put myself in His hands—” “No,” snapped Victor. “You put yourself in mine.”

He was an outsider by choice, a good enough mimic to charm his way into social circles when he wanted, but more often than not he preferred to stand apart and watch, and most of the school seemed content to let him.

“Eli! You made it!”

dun dun

Victor caught his balance and straightened in time to see Eli run his hand through several hundred dollars’ worth of coke, brushing it all into the sink.

oh shit

Save me.

no way victor is having angie come save him when eli is outside the door omg

but she still came to save him.

theres no way this action won't have consequences

Angie Knight was dead.

girl WHAT was it worth it be honest

“Angie’s dead.”

what happened to hi? hello? how are you?

Victor Vale left the lab, and then he ran.

The calm troubled him; the fact that the physical absence of pain could elicit such a mental absence of panic was at once unnerving and rather fascinating.

exposing the scars from the bullets of Eli’s gun one by one.

The absence of pain led to an absence of fear, and the absence of fear led to a disregard for consequence.

Victor paused a moment to watch him.

the constant reference of watching people before they notice you is gonna follow us huh

“It’s not as flashy as yours, but it’s rather effective. Want to see it?”

"flashy" yet its literally electricity

Sydney Clarke could raise the dead.

“Just a friend.”

Until a male voice cleared its throat.

ugh men

She didn’t see what she did as raising the dead, not really.

WAIT are they gonna force to make an army of eos

“Your power is wrong, and it makes you a danger to—”

a danger to who exactly????

“No,” said Eli, “but your weapon is worse. Your power is unnatural.

as if yours isnt sir

Mitch spoke up. “We won’t let Eli hurt you again,” he said over his glass of chocolate milk. “Just so you know.”

the found family vibes are making me giggle and kick my feet

“Sydney, look at me.” He rested his hands on the car roof and leaned in. “No one is going to hurt you. Do you know why?” She shook her head, and Victor smiled. “Because I’ll hurt them first.”

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

“The Hero Line,” he answered smoothly. “How can I assist you?”

the who

I used to love those puzzles growing up where they ask you to spot the difference. I rocked that shit.

cute

THE ESQUIRE. It had been Serena’s choice,

wait THEYRE IN THE SAME HOTEL????

This man was wearing something that might pass for a suit, but he was massive, tattoos peeking out from his pushed-up sleeves and collar.

MITCH HES RIGHT THERE

He really was collecting strays.

“Your sister and Eli, they think they’re a team. But they’re nothing compared to us.

okay cute

“Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” “I get the feeling that’s not what Thomas Jefferson meant,” muttered Mitch.

mitch stays being my favorite

MITCHELL Turner was cursed.

i can fix him

He pulled away from the hotel, just missing Victor and his bag of takeout.

Eli has a siren on his side, which means he could compel the entire city. Maybe he already has. I have a hacker, a half-dead dog, and a child. It’s hardly an arsenal.”

“You’re going to come back, right?” she asked when they reached the door. Victor looked over his shoulder. “Of course I will,” he said. “That’s my favorite lighter.”

Mitch thrust his hands into his coat. “We’re not coming back then, are we?” “Not tonight.”

To slay without cause would be an abuse of power, and an insult to God.

period

He could hear Eli Ever cross the threshold, and slide the bolt on the bathroom door, locking the world out. Locking them in.

if mitch dies its over for me

Eli bared his teeth, and bowed his head, and Mitch thought he could see him mouth the words forgive me before he looked up, and pulled the trigger.

what the FUCK did i just say

“So he’s like, bulletproof?” asked Dominic. Mitch laughed, and then pulled his jacket aside to reveal the vest beneath.

GOOD MAN

She spun on her heel, and went inside.

i swear to god

“If I didn’t know better,” said Mitch, dialing. “I’d think you care.”

giggles

“Are you going to think up more ways to keep me busy?” Mitch laughed, but he didn’t sound very happy. “You’re a kid. Just watch some TV. We’ll be home later.” “Hey, Mitch,” said Sydney, softer. “You … you’re coming back, right?” “As soon as I can, Syd. Promise.”

if anything happens to this little group its over

“Hello, Sydney,” she said, as she tapped the gun absently against her leggings.

leave her ALONE

“Happy birthday,” she said.

oh this is gonna hurt so bad