As it turned out, one cannot just suddenly retire from being the head of the Satanic church. There were many rituals and procedures that needed to be followed before Terzo could take over from Secondo. Terzo was extremely happy to have his chance to shine and Secondo patiently humoured him because he knew that his younger brother would put his heart and his soul into this; he would make sure that he was the best Papa he could be.
It had been a few weeks since Secondo had cooked his ghouls dinner and asked for their thoughts about him retiring and tonight was his final midnight mass as Papa. Quinn and the other ghouls flanked him, dressed in their full ceremonial Clergy uniforms and looking suitably menacing. Or they would have looked menacing if Air had not spent half of the time making goo-goo eyes at Sister Angelina who was seated in the centre of the congregation.
Quinn nudged him with his elbow and the air ghoul glared at him from inside his hood.
"Give it a rest Air, you're seeing her later," Quinn mumbled under his breath, earning him a low warning growl from Earth.
The chapel was full to capacity. Secondo was well respected and all of the Clergy's followers had made a special effort to be there, even those who lived and worked outside of the Abbey.
Quinn was studiously ignoring Imperator who had been staring at him the whole time. He could feel the anger pulsing from her, anger at having her new favourite toy taken away from her. She hadn't taken it well when Secondo informed her that Quinn's trial period with her was over and she would not have access to her own personal ghoul after all. He'd managed to avoid her since then but he could feel that her patience was wearing thin. They were going to have to have the showdown soon because she still believed that she had a hold over him, and that he would cater to her whims. He was going to have to make it clear to her that he wouldn't.
Secondo gave a final unholy communion and wrapped up. Quinn was glad to be done. The ether had been particularly brutal today, especially during the mass because of the amount of people who were gathered so closely to him. Small visions stabbed at his consciousness and he was glad when the congregation began filing out of the main chapel.
"You okay?" Earth's voice startled him but he nodded. "You sure? Because you don't feel right to me."
He sounded concerned and Quinn sighed.
"Just too many people is all, it's hurting my brain."
"Want me to take the rest of your shift tonight?" he offered.
Quinn set out to refuse but he could use the time off. He remembered that Zoe was staying over with Earth tonight. He hadn't seen her in amongst the crowd though.
"Thanks Earth, but what about Zoe?"
"She cancelled. Helena isn't well. Going to rearrange for next week."
Quinn felt bad for Earth, he was more disappointed than he was letting on.
"Oh. That sucks. Are you sure you don't mind?"
"Nah, it's fine. Go and relax."
"Thanks. Want me to do your shift tomorrow?"
"Sure, thanks."
Once the chapel was empty the ghouls escorted Secondo back to his quarters which was empty of any Siblings tonight.
"Will you all have a drink with me before you go?" Secondo asked. Everyone agreed. Secondo got out his best bottle of scotch and poured them all a generous glass. "Should we have a toast to new beginnings?"
The ghouls all raised their glasses and Secondo smiled as he looked around. His emotions bled out and Quinn knew that Secondo had made the right decision for them all. He felt more relaxed than Quinn had ever sensed from him before and he was glad for him.
YOU ARE READING
Essence of Quinn: Parts 1&2 (eventual MxM slow burn)
FantasyA child of Fate. A slave to destiny. Quinn is a quintessence ghoul, cursed with seeing visions of the future. Rather than succumbing to the madness that comes with seeing death and destruction daily, he reluctantly uses the visions to save the lives...