Essence of Quinn: Parts 1&2 Secondo Era and Terzo Era (eventual MxM slow burn)

Quickie

Please refer to inspirational picture for science and the mood of this chapter...
Sorry 🤷‍♀️

Omega was still out for the count when Quinn got there the next morning. Terzo, Zeta and Rho had gone to make preparations for the summoning of a new fire ghoul later that evening and Quinn could tell that the others were not entirely happy about it. Mist especially wasn't taking it well, her and Alpha had been pretty close from what he could tell and his loss had hit her hard. She sat curled up in Special's lap and he petted her back slowly and methodically.

Quinn lay with Omega for a few hours, giving what healing energy he could. The time he'd spent with Zephyr had recharged his quintessence battery somewhat but he still wasn't at full strength. The last few weeks had taken its toll and he felt frustrated at the constant drain on his powers caused mainly by the ether. By the time he left though, the other quintessence ghoul was starting to look better. Omega didn't feel as though he was right on the edge of death anymore which was a win. Hopefully he would wake up in the next couple of days, for everyone's sake, because the current mood at the Abbey was low.

Quinn made his way back to the lair and Zoe and Helena were waiting for him with lunch. He smirked at them and Helena waved.

"So Earth has passed his babysitting duties on to you two then?"

Zoe gave him a look.

"It isn't babysitting, Quinn. We are making sure you're fed, just as we would for any of the others." Quinn gave her a look of his own. "Don't give me that, you look exhausted. I know how the others get when they go into mother hen mode, but they're right. Here."

She handed him a plate with sandwiches, cheese, meats, salad and crackers. It did look good, better than the effort he would have managed for himself. Zoe pointed to the seat opposite Helena and he dutifully sat. He raised his eyes and met Helena's amused stare.

"You're loving this, aren't you?"

"Well, Earth is busy so he said you needed someone to push you around and bully you into eating. It's a tough job but someone has to do it," she said with a shrug.

Quinn took a bite of a sandwich and chewed deliberately.

"Thanks so much."

Helena grinned and took a bite of her own.

"You're welcome."

It was unusual for humans to be in the ghoul lairs. Ghouls liked their privacy in a lot of things, not wanting to have to worry about humans being shocked by or judging them for their ways. Zoe and Helena didn't count as regular humans anymore though and Zoe stayed over quite often now that Helena was grown up and could fend for herself.

"How are your studies?" Quinn asked Helena.

"Good. I've been doing some work for Anya and she's taught me a lot. She seems a bit distracted lately though so she's skipped a few of the sessions we were supposed to have over the last couple of months."

That wasn't like Anya, she was usually meticulous in everything she did so it surprised Quinn to hear that.

"Hmmm, she's been trying to catch up on things to make way for Seren. It's maybe just that."

He hoped so anyway. Anya was due to retire as Head Witch for the Clergy in the coming months so that she could spend more time with her grandchildren but she usually didn't let anything distract her from her work.

"Maybe," she said thoughtfully.

"Where is Earth, anyway?" Quinn asked Zoe.

"He was called in to help Secondo with something. He was supposed to be off for the next couple of days so it must be important. He wasn't himself last night though."