Escape Turns Deadly

Mackenzie, a nineteen-year-old college student, tries to end her secret, toxic relationship with her much older professor, Paxton. When he refuses to let her go and attempts to assault her, Mackenzie, in a panic, stabs him in the neck with a pen. As Paxton bleeds out, Mackenzie is left in shock, guilt, and terror. She calls her mother, Lucia, for help, setting off a chain of events that will change both their lives forever. The trauma and fear of what she's done—killing a man she once loved—haunt her, but survival instincts take over. Mackenzie and her mother must now run, leaving behind everything familiar, and hope for a miracle to escape the consequences.

Bargain for Freedom

Lucia, desperate to protect her daughter from prison, makes a deal with an old acquaintance, Nataniele Rossi, the powerful dean of an exclusive, secretive university. The price: her hand in marriage in exchange for Mackenzie's protection and a new identity. Mackenzie is wracked with guilt, feeling responsible for her mother's forced engagement and their exile from their old lives. As they drive to Verona Falls University, the weight of their choices and the uncertainty of the future press down on them. The castle-like school promises safety, but at a steep personal cost, and Mackenzie's sense of self is already beginning to fracture.

Arrival at Verona Falls

Mackenzie and Lucia arrive at Verona Falls University, a gothic, isolated institution for the ultra-wealthy and powerful. The campus is intimidating, filled with luxury cars and old money. They meet Nataniele, whose charm is laced with menace, and his son, Domenic, who will soon be Mackenzie's stepbrother. Mackenzie is introduced to her opulent new room and the suffocating expectations of her new life. She quickly senses the undercurrents of danger and judgment, especially from Domenic, who immediately brands her and her mother as gold-diggers. The sense of being an outsider, and the knowledge that their safety is conditional, leaves Mackenzie feeling trapped and alone.

Devils and Warnings

Mackenzie's first encounters with the student body are fraught with tension. She meets Camile, a friendly girl who warns her to stay away from Domenic and his friends, known as the Devils—Domenic, Kirill, and Valentino. The trio are infamous for their cruelty and power. Mackenzie witnesses the toxic dynamics between her mother and Nataniele, and between herself and Domenic, who oscillates between hostility and predatory interest. The school's social hierarchy is brutal, and Mackenzie is quickly marked as a target. The emotional toll of her secret, her mother's sacrifice, and the hostility of her new peers threaten to overwhelm her.

Dinner with Predators

At her first formal dinner with her new family, Mackenzie is subjected to subtle and overt harassment by the Devils. Kirill's foot creeps up her leg under the table, and Domenic's comments are laced with sexual threat and disdain. The power dynamics are clear: Mackenzie is prey, and the Devils are circling. She is forced to play along, unable to call out their behavior without risking her and her mother's safety. The meal is a performance of wealth and control, and Mackenzie's sense of agency slips further away as she realizes the true nature of the environment she's entered.

The Devils' Game Begins

Mackenzie's attempts to navigate her new life are met with constant obstacles. She is bullied and threatened by Domenic, who physically intimidates her and invades her space. The other Devils, Kirill and Valentino, each play their own games—Kirill with cold menace, Valentino with mocking charm. Mackenzie's only solace is Camile, but even that friendship is shadowed by the school's toxic culture. The girls' curriculum is revealed to be antiquated and sexist, designed to prepare them for marriage rather than independence. Mackenzie's sense of self-worth is battered, and she vows to find a way to escape, even as the Devils tighten their grip.

Rules of the House

Mackenzie discovers the school is divided by gendered expectations and strict, archaic rules. The boys are groomed for power, the girls for subservience. Surveillance is everywhere, and privacy is an illusion. The Devils' influence is absolute—they can access any room, manipulate staff, and enforce their own brand of justice. Mackenzie's attempts to assert herself are met with escalating retaliation. The school's true purpose begins to emerge: it is a finishing school for the children of the world's criminal elite, a place where violence and corruption are normalized. Mackenzie's fear grows as she realizes there is no safe haven within these walls.

Bully, Bait, and Prey

Mackenzie becomes the focus of the Devils' attention, both as a target and as an object of desire. She is tripped and humiliated by Kirill in the cafeteria, only to be "rescued" by Valentino, whose flirtation is both comforting and unsettling. Domenic's bullying becomes more personal, laced with jealousy and possessiveness. Mackenzie's attempts to maintain boundaries are constantly undermined, and her reputation is shaped by rumors and the Devils' manipulations. The psychological warfare takes its toll, and Mackenzie is forced to question her own desires and limits as the lines between hate and attraction blur.

The Duchess and the Devils

Mackenzie's resistance to the Devils is eroded by their relentless pursuit and her own conflicted feelings. Valentino seduces her, offering a reprieve from fear in the form of intense, illicit pleasure. Kirill follows, drawing her into a secret, shame-laced encounter. Domenic's hatred and desire culminate in a violent, passionate tryst that leaves Mackenzie shaken and marked—literally and figuratively. The three men share her, and she becomes their "Duchess," both a trophy and a possession. The experience is both empowering and degrading, and Mackenzie is left questioning her own complicity and the true nature of her captivity.

Seduction and Scandal

The Devils escalate their games, filming Mackenzie without her consent and using the footage to humiliate and control her. The threat of exposure hangs over her, and she is forced to play along with their demands to protect herself and her mother. Verity, a jealous rival, drugs Mackenzie in an attempt to ruin her, but the Devils exact brutal revenge on her behalf. The school's culture of violence and retribution is laid bare, and Mackenzie is both protected and imprisoned by her association with the Devils. The boundaries between victim and accomplice blur, and Mackenzie's sense of self is further eroded.

The Morning After

Mackenzie wakes after a night of debauchery with the Devils, unsure of what happened and wracked with shame and fear. She is haunted by the possibility of having been violated, but learns from Camile that she was cared for, not harmed. The emotional aftermath is complicated by her growing dependence on the Devils for protection and status. Her relationship with her mother is strained by secrets and lies, and the threat of discovery looms ever larger. Mackenzie's health suffers under the stress, and she experiences a seizure, a stark reminder of her vulnerability and the precariousness of her situation.

Secrets and Sickness

Mackenzie's seizure exposes her hidden medical condition and deepens her sense of isolation. Her mother's guilt and fear intensify, and Mackenzie is forced to confront the reality that her illness is both a burden and a weapon. The Devils' reactions to her vulnerability are mixed—Valentino is protective, Kirill is intrigued, and Domenic is conflicted. The school's true nature is further revealed: it is a haven for the children of criminals, a place where violence, manipulation, and secrecy are the norm. Mackenzie's sense of self is fractured, and she is left clinging to the few relationships she can trust.

The Devils' Playground

The school's brutal traditions come to the fore with the organization of a bare-knuckle fight between Kirill and a rival, Louis. The event is a spectacle of violence, sanctioned by the administration and cheered by the students. Mackenzie is both horrified and aroused by the display, and her connection to the Devils deepens as she witnesses their power and vulnerability. The fight exposes the scars—physical and emotional—that the Devils carry, and Mackenzie begins to see them as more than just predators. The school's culture of violence is both a threat and a source of belonging.

The Devils' Duchess

The Devils publicly claim Mackenzie as their own, exacting revenge on Verity and elevating Mackenzie's status within the school. She is given Verity's cap as a crown, a symbol of her new position as the Devils' Duchess. The power and protection that come with this role are intoxicating, but also isolating. Mackenzie is both envied and feared, and her relationship with the Devils becomes more complex and consuming. The lines between love, hate, and possession blur, and Mackenzie is forced to confront the reality of her own desires and the cost of survival.

Revelations in the Library

Mackenzie uncovers the truth about Verona Falls: it is a finishing school for the children of the world's criminal elite, a place where money is laundered and power is inherited. She learns that her own father was involved in organized crime, and that her mother's marriage to Nataniele is part of a larger web of debts and alliances. The revelation shatters Mackenzie's sense of identity and trust, and she is forced to reevaluate her past and her future. The weight of generational sin and the impossibility of escape become clear, and Mackenzie's sense of agency is further diminished.

The Mafia School

Mackenzie confronts her mother about their family's criminal ties and the true reason for their presence at Verona Falls. Lucia confesses to knowing about her husband's illegal activities and the debts that led them to seek protection from Nataniele. The conversation is raw and painful, and Mackenzie is left feeling betrayed and adrift. The realization that her entire life has been shaped by secrets and lies is devastating, and she flees to the only place she feels she belongs—the Devils' den. The cycle of trauma and survival continues, and Mackenzie's sense of self is further eroded.

The Fight and the Fallout

In the aftermath of her confrontation with her mother, Mackenzie seeks out Domenic in the Devils' den. What begins as a confrontation turns into a violent, passionate encounter, fueled by hate, pain, and desperation. The sex is raw and cathartic, a release for both of them, but it leaves Mackenzie marked—literally, with Domenic's blood—and emotionally shattered. The encounter is both a breaking point and a bonding moment, and the power dynamics between Mackenzie and the Devils shift once again. The cycle of violence and desire continues, and Mackenzie is left questioning her own sanity.

Blood, Hate, and Desire

Mackenzie is drawn deeper into the Devils' world, participating in a depraved foursome that cements her status as their Duchess. The experience is both liberating and degrading, and Mackenzie is left feeling both powerful and powerless. The Devils' need for her is matched by her need for them, and the boundaries between love, hate, and survival blur beyond recognition. The school's toxic culture is both a prison and a source of identity, and Mackenzie is forced to accept her own complicity in the cycle of violence and desire.

The Devils' Claim

The Devils' public claim of Mackenzie as their own brings her both protection and isolation. She is elevated to a position of power within the school, but at the cost of her autonomy and reputation. The other students fear and envy her, and Mackenzie is forced to navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty, betrayal, and survival. Her relationship with the Devils is both a source of strength and a vulnerability, and the threat of exposure and retribution looms ever larger. The cycle of violence, desire, and survival continues, and Mackenzie is left questioning her own identity and future.

The Wedding That Wasn't

On the day of her mother's wedding to Nataniele, Mackenzie is blindsided by a public revelation: a video is played at the ceremony, exposing Lucia's role in her husband's murder. The betrayal is devastating, and Mackenzie's world collapses. The Devils orchestrated the exposure, ensuring the wedding would not go ahead and that Mackenzie and her mother would be forced to leave. The emotional and psychological toll is overwhelming, and Mackenzie suffers a seizure in front of the entire congregation. The cycle of trauma, betrayal, and survival reaches its breaking point.

Betrayal and Collapse

As Mackenzie collapses, the Devils and her mother rush to her side, their concern revealing the depth of their attachment. The truth of Mackenzie's vulnerability—her epilepsy, her trauma, her need for protection—is laid bare. The Devils realize they need her as much as she needs them, and the cycle of violence, desire, and survival is both broken and reinforced. The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: Mackenzie is no longer just a victim or a pawn. She is the Devils' Duchess, and her fate is inextricably tied to theirs.

Characters

Mackenzie Kingsland

Mackenzie is a nineteen-year-old woman thrust into a world of violence, privilege, and corruption after killing her abusive professor in self-defense. Wracked with guilt and trauma, she is forced to rely on her mother's sacrifice and the protection of a criminal elite. Mackenzie is intelligent, resilient, and fiercely independent, but her sense of self is battered by constant threats, manipulation, and her own conflicted desires. Her relationships with the Devils—Domenic, Kirill, and Valentino—are fraught with danger, attraction, and power struggles. Mackenzie's journey is one of survival, self-discovery, and the search for agency in a world determined to control her.

Domenic Rossi

Domenic, the dean's son and soon-to-be Mackenzie's stepbrother, is the leader of the Devils. He is driven by rage, grief over his mother's death, and a deep sense of inadequacy. Domenic's cruelty masks profound vulnerability—he self-harms to cope with emotional pain and is both repelled and drawn to Mackenzie. His relationship with her is a battleground of hate, desire, and longing for connection. Domenic's psychological complexity is rooted in trauma, loss, and the impossible expectations of his family legacy. He is both Mackenzie's tormentor and her protector, and his journey is one of self-destruction and reluctant attachment.

Kirill

Kirill is the Russian Devil, marked by physical and emotional scars from a brutal upbringing. He is both a predator and a victim, using intimidation, violence, and sexual dominance to assert control. Kirill's fear of the dark and his need for power reveal deep-seated trauma and vulnerability. His relationship with Mackenzie is a mix of cruelty, fascination, and unexpected tenderness. Kirill's psychological landscape is shaped by suffering, and his actions are both a cry for connection and a means of survival in a world that rewards brutality.

Valentino

Valentino is the most outwardly charismatic of the Devils, using humor, seduction, and mockery to mask his own pain. He is physically scarred from a violent past and struggles with addiction and the legacy of his cartel family. Valentino's relationship with Mackenzie is complex—he is both her seducer and her confidant, offering moments of genuine care amid the games. His need for control and his fear of vulnerability drive his actions, and his journey is one of seeking meaning and connection in a world that values power above all.

Lucia Kingsland

Lucia is Mackenzie's mother, forced to marry Nataniele to protect her daughter from prison. She is both a victim and a perpetrator, complicit in her husband's murder and the web of lies that ensnare her family. Lucia's love for Mackenzie is fierce, but her choices are shaped by desperation and survival. Her relationship with Mackenzie is strained by secrets, guilt, and the impossible demands of their new life. Lucia's psychological complexity is rooted in sacrifice, regret, and the hope for redemption.

Nataniele Rossi

Nataniele is the powerful, manipulative dean of Verona Falls University and the architect of Mackenzie and Lucia's exile. He is both protector and predator, using his influence to control those around him. Nataniele's relationship with Lucia is transactional, and his role as Domenic's father is marked by cold ambition and emotional distance. He embodies the corrupt, patriarchal power structure of the school and the criminal world it serves.

Camile

Camile is Mackenzie's only real friend at Verona Falls, offering warmth, support, and a glimpse of normalcy. She is also the daughter of a criminal family, navigating her own path through the school's toxic culture. Camile's warnings and loyalty are a lifeline for Mackenzie, but their friendship is tested by secrets, betrayal, and the demands of survival. Camile represents the possibility of connection and empathy in a world defined by power and violence.

Verity

Verity is the queen bee of Verona Falls, obsessed with the Devils and determined to destroy Mackenzie. Her jealousy and cruelty drive her to drug Mackenzie and manipulate those around her. Verity's own downfall is orchestrated by the Devils, who exact brutal revenge on her behalf. She is both a perpetrator and a victim, caught in the school's cycle of violence and retribution.

Paxton Kassell

Paxton is the professor whose toxic, controlling relationship with Mackenzie sets the entire story in motion. His abuse and attempted assault force Mackenzie to kill him in self-defense, triggering her and her mother's flight. Paxton's legacy is one of trauma, guilt, and the inescapable consequences of violence.

The Vipers (Louis and Mattheo Laurant)

The Vipers are a rival group of powerful students at Verona Falls, representing the ever-present threat of violence and competition. Their presence underscores the school's culture of brutality and the constant danger faced by those who do not belong.

Plot Devices

Whychoose/Bully Romance Structure

The novel employs the "whychoose" (reverse harem) structure, with Mackenzie at the center of a web of desire, violence, and manipulation. The Devils each represent different facets of power, trauma, and attraction, and Mackenzie's relationships with them are fraught with danger and possibility. The bully romance trope is used to explore themes of agency, survival, and the blurred lines between love and hate.

Gothic Setting and Social Hierarchy

Verona Falls University is a character in itself—a gothic, isolated institution that serves as both sanctuary and prison. The setting reinforces the themes of privilege, corruption, and the inescapability of the past. The rigid social hierarchy, enforced by violence and tradition, mirrors the power dynamics at play in Mackenzie's relationships and the broader criminal world.

Secrets, Surveillance, and Blackmail

The use of surveillance and blackmail is central to the plot, with the Devils filming Mackenzie without her consent and using the footage to control her. The constant threat of exposure and the manipulation of secrets drive the psychological tension and force Mackenzie into complicity.

Trauma, Illness, and Vulnerability

The novel foregrounds the impact of trauma and illness on identity and agency. Mackenzie's epilepsy is both a vulnerability and a weapon, shaping her interactions and her sense of self. The Devils' own scars—physical and emotional—are explored through self-harm, addiction, and the legacy of violence. These elements humanize the characters and complicate the power dynamics at play.

Foreshadowing and Cyclical Violence

The narrative structure employs foreshadowing and cyclical patterns of violence, desire, and betrayal. The trauma of Mackenzie's past is mirrored in her present, and the cycle of abuse and survival is both broken and reinforced by her relationships with the Devils. The use of repeated motifs—blood, crowns, cages—underscores the inescapability of the past and the cost of survival.

Analysis

The Devils and The Duchess is a dark, psychological exploration of power, trauma, and survival in a world where violence and privilege are inextricably linked. Through the lens of a whychoose/bully romance, the novel interrogates the boundaries between victim and accomplice, love and hate, agency and captivity. Mackenzie's journey is one of self-discovery and adaptation, as she navigates a labyrinth of secrets, betrayals, and shifting allegiances. The Devils—each scarred by their own histories—serve as both tormentors and mirrors, forcing Mackenzie to confront her own desires, limits, and complicity. The gothic setting of Verona Falls University amplifies the sense of isolation and danger, while the school's rituals and hierarchies reflect the broader dynamics of power and corruption. The novel's use of surveillance, blackmail, and psychological games foregrounds the ways in which agency is negotiated and denied, especially for women in patriarchal, violent systems. Ultimately, The Devils and The Duchess is a meditation on the cost of survival, the allure of power, and the possibility of forging identity and connection in the most hostile of environments. It challenges readers to question the nature of consent, the legacy of trauma, and the meaning of freedom in a world built on secrets and lies.

Last updated: December 15, 2025