Essence of Quinn Parts 3 & 4 (MxM)

Beneath The Surface

“That’s not fair, Boreas,” Air said. “He never said that. Who told you that?” 

Boreas huffed. 

“Azael. Brother. You forget who I am. I hear about everything that goes on amongst my ghouls on the Earth.” 

Quinn snarled. 

“I do not belong to you.” 

He pictured the smug look on the Prime Ghoul’s face. It was easy enough. He’d seen it enough times before in the years he’d known Boreas. 

“Indeed. But everything you do directly affects my ghouls. Directly affects my family.” 

Quinn’s annoyance spiked, and even though both Air and Earth tried to calm him through the bonds they shared, some of his snark bled out. 

“And how is your family, Boreas? Well, and in good health, I hope. Please give Lyra and Asteria my warmest regards.” 

Boreas rose, the ripple of his irritation measured and icy as he stalked to the front of his desk. Quinn kept still and made a show of tracking him with his useless eyes, feeling the sharp edge of his focus when he came to a stop before him. 

“We’re not here to discuss my family,” Boreas gritted out. “We are here to discuss what is left of yours.” 

Rage coiled hot and tight under Quinn’s skin. The urge to strike out at the Prime Ghoul felt almost overwhelming. A heavy hand on his shoulder cut through the storm, anchoring him back to his purpose.  

Earth’s unwavering strength reminded him that he had to be very, very careful. Boreas had banished him once before. He could do it again in a heartbeat. Worse, even. Quinn had to bite his tongue and be the bigger ghoul. He understood what he was about to say to Boreas would not be received well, but he hadn’t factored in that Boreas already knew something about what he wanted to discuss. 

Air though? Apparently, he wasn’t going to be the bigger ghoul today. Quinn tasted the bitterness of his anger a heartbeat before he jumped to his feet. Boreas’ guards tensed up, their emotional grids becoming more alert as they readied themselves to defend their leader. 

“What the fuck is your problem with him?” Air’s voice cut sharp as a blade. “You should be grateful. He gave you everything—yet still you treat him like shit.” 

Boreas scoffed, and Quinn reached out for Air’s arm, sending quintessence to calm him. He could get away with speaking to his brother that way to a certain degree, but Boreas would only tolerate it for so long. 

“I have a very long memory, Azael. Your judgement has never been the best when it comes to these things.” Oh fuck. Quinn hid a smirk when he pictured Air’s face at that comment. He didn’t lose his temper often, but this was about as close as he ever got. He shivered at the steady pulse of anger through their bond. By some miracle, though, Air kept it inside. “Your mate goes out of his way to defy me at every turn.” 

He sneered the word ‘mate’, and Quinn let out a snarl of his own, but he focused on keeping Air calm. The tension dialled back a notch when everyone seemed to realise that there were bigger things at stake here than pride. Air didn’t let it go completely, though. 

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” he snapped. 

Boreas ignored him, sighing and turning his attention back to Quinn. The wood of the desk creaked as the Prime Ghoul leaned his weight against it. He relaxed, and Quinn sensed his smugness before he even spoke. He knew more than he was letting on. The air of authority that crept into his voice put Quinn’s hackles further up.