Essence of Quinn Parts 3 & 4 (MxM)

Benevolent

Quinn glanced uneasily at Convel, who’d been forced into human form and was shifting from foot to foot, straining at the mental chains that held him. Quinn tried to keep his breathing even, but it was difficult when his heart was hammering so frantically. Inside, he was on high alert, adrenaline coursing through him, panic skirting around him. The pressure in his head made it feel like it would explode, but there was nothing he could do. His mind was fighting his body, trying to override the control wielded over it, instinct needing to take over, but it was no use.

Andras looked back over his shoulder and snarled, spite burning in his golden eyes. The two of them were flanking him, just as they had done for centuries before. His favourites. His to command. His most trusted minions. Well, not so much now...

“Be still,” Andras gritted out, sending both command and reassurance. “This was always how it was going to end, Prophet. I should have nipped this in the bud before it even began, but I was too soft on you.”

Convel whined, a true canine sound that seemed foreign coming from the throat of his human shape.

Andras whipped around to face him, sharp eyes glowing.

“And you!” he spat. “I will teach you the cost of your defiance. You will learn all too well what happens when you betray me. I will rip out your soul and feed it to you until you fucking choke on it!” A tear tracked its way down Convel’s cheek and Quinn could feel him inwardly fighting and snarling against Andras’ hold over him. “I have been far too lenient with the two of you, and this is the thanks I get for my benevolence. Never again.” Andras got to his feet, rising from his throne, head held high with arrogance as he looked down his aquiline nose at the demons gathered in his throne room. The strain from the hold he had on Quinn and Convel right then didn’t even make him break a sweat. “Bring in the entertainment!”

Quinn knew as soon as the doors swung open who it would be and his guts turned to ice. Convel had sensed it already if the way his emotions went wild just then was anything to go by. He would have been well aware the ghuleh was there beforehand, but Andras had wielded his full control over them well before it would become a problem.

As soon as Quinn saw the dark head of hair, the pale skin, and felt the beautiful, gentle soul, he fought too. He called upon every trick he knew, every ounce of power he possessed, every grain of strength he had, but still it was not enough. The fallen angel wanted him and Convel to be still, and still they were. That didn’t stop Quinn from trying to break his hold, though, and he could feel how much Andras relished their anguish.

“Where do you want them, Lord Andras?” the demon who held the chain around Air’s neck asked.

Andras waved a hand to the stone columns at the foot of the steps to his dais. The demons dragged Air and his sister, Aella, to them and looped their chains through the metal rings attached to them.

Air looked up and met Quinn’s eyes. He had been beaten, was bruised and bloody, looked like he had fought like a wildcat and come off worse, but he still carried himself with the grace and the poise that was all him.

The rage Quinn felt at seeing it with his own eyes was all-consuming, and he felt his glare burning from it.

Air gave Quinn a tight smile and he felt a caress through their bond. It made his soul weep at what he was about to lose. Teetering on the edge of oblivion. Staring down the barrel of an eternity with absolutely nothing left to live for.

The ghuleh bared her fangs at Andras in defiance, hateful purple flames burning in her eyes as she struggled against the binds that held her.

Andras chuckled and glanced back at Convel again.