Page 14 of Cruel Devotion

“Don’t. I know what I’m capable of. My life is meant to accompany yours. I mean… I know I’m better, but you’ve got changes to make. You defile and eat the pure like a snack.” Ryder chuckled.

“She was a sacrifice. That’s different,” Darius huffed as he leaned back.

“You ate her.”

This is all wrong.

At what point did I change?

I’m comfortable. Irritated, but comfortable.

When did I stop fighting?

“Different. You’re better,” Darius repeated.

“I walk a fine line, brother. One second I’m your voice of reason, and the next, I remember I’m joining you in hell.”

The things Ryder said did things to my bookish heart. Darius trembled at my back.

“You are no monster, Ry,” he whispered. The man in front of me chuckled.

“Just because I hide, doesn’t mean I’m not.” Ryder shook his head.

“We shared a womb, but now, we share one soul. You’re my humanity, and the one who keeps us sane.” Darius’ tone was somber.

“You’ve got a lot to say today. I’m the sane one now, but I wasn’t always,” Ryder sighed. I’m not sure who he was trying to convince more—Darius or himself. I giggled and Darius groaned when I squeezed him tighter.

“If you’re the sane one, then I’m the monster. Shall I lock you up here and have my way withyou?” I laughed. Darius’ growl was a warning, but it went over my head.

I’ve snapped.

“This is our fault. We should have filled her mouth too,” Ryder chuckled.

“Maybe I’ll chain you up and watch as I make your brother fuck you in the ass.” I don’t know where the words came from. At this point, I was talking without thinking first. It was my turn to ignorethem, and I was getting high on the little power trip. It had been the wrong thing to say.

The man in front of me would look hot in a straight jacket. Ryder’s eyes flashed. The look there told me he was standing very close to a cliff. All it would take was one nudge to shove him over the edge and to have him tumbling into the dark abyss of insanity. I shouldn’t, but I was past caring. The memories I’d been ignoring, resurfaced. I’d been kidnapped and my family murdered, but that’s not it. I was stuck to the monster who did it, waiting for histhingto deflate. The pleasure I felt, a betrayal.I should stop here, but I won’t. It’s like word vomit now.

“Neither of you are sane.” Throwing my head back, I laughed, but the sound was cut off by a monstrous hand around my neck. It was the beast who strangled me. Ryder’s eyes widened and I clawed at Darius’ grip. His claws drew blood as Ryder’s gaze darkened.

“You’re beautiful like this. Eyes delirious, cheeks flushed, and under our control. I asked you not to ruin her.” My chest heaved, desperate for air as Ryder’s finger pushed down on my bottom lip.

Darius growled in response.

“We use words, remember?” Ryder rumbled.

“You’re not crazy,” Darius growled. The walls shook and spittle flew, but all I could think about was air.

“Yes, and she knows that now, doesn’t she?” Ryder’s voice was calm as he pushed a finger into my mouth. My eyeballs felt like they were about to explode. He sighed, as if my silence was an inconvenience.

“I’m sure if our little bunny could speak, she would agree,” Ryder joked. Fucking joked. I was dying, and he was laughing about it. My core tightened, and Darius grunted with pleasure. I wanted to claw his eyes out and come again.This shouldn’t turn me on.Ryder leaned close, squishing me between them, but Darius’ grip never loosened.

“You no longer have to protect me. We’ve slain the dragon, brother. Those that caged us here met the same fate before we sent them to hell. No one will be fucking me without permission. I’m safe,” Ryder said softly.

“And sane,” Darius growled.

“Yes, and that.”

“Ry?” Darius panted.

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