"I Consecrate my Soul to Thee" Witch/Demon AU

[zauberdecke]

[ There was a very specific reason why Essek was here at this moment.

All around him was gathered components, and within his hand he held chalk with which he was drawing the familiar pentagram that would assist in his mission. For his entire life, he had been gatekept, he came from a long line of witches, all of them female; the power passed down through matriarchal laws and blood-- from woman to woman.

However he was the black sheep, the one who had been given far more power than was comfortable for the bloodline in which it had been strictly locked up. Because of this, no female line could inherit and even right now etched into his chest was a binding spell that was unbreakable though oh, how he had tried. It had been placed there by he who he had been given in marriage to; locked until at which point a female was conceived which would then continue the line downward.

There was nothing more vengeful than a cat who had been caged, and right now Essek Thelyss was out for blood and perhaps even a healthy dose of revenge. There was that intrinsic longing for freedom to do what he wanted, not wanting to be bound by tradition to a familial coven who cared more about the line than him. He wanted to put a stop to it, perhaps even get this angry scar of a sigil on his chest removed, wanting night upon night of assault to end.

He did not care what he summoned, the only thing he wanted was for whatever power he could bid to rise to invoke retribution, to free him. Logically he knew that he would be entrusting his fate into the devil he did not know-- but at this point in time, that seemed far preferrable.

And that was how he had roped Alex into this. Someone who was well versed in the rituals if not well practiced; he could not do this alone because there was so much that could go wrong. Best to have two hands in it, even though he knew that it was not Alex's job to intervene but rather to 'watch' but he was desperate, and Alex knew how much he hated Adeen.

Desperate times called for desperate measures, and it was then that Essek finished the circle and then set his chalk down gently. ]

The circle is complete, the components are gathered.. it is time.

Comments

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek grabbed Bren's hand and then he dragged him slowly toward the door and then peeked out, he had heard the noise as well as the very casual sound of a 'bloody hell' which sounded almost as posh as his own voice. ] Do I need to bring you anything from the medicine cabinent, Alex?

--

I am okay, Sweetheart-- just had the slightest row with a coffee table; nothing that I cannot handle. I've been in worse scrapes.

[ His way of speaking was absolutely turn of century in nature, and not the most current century, who said 'row' anyways in a way that wasn't reading out loud from a 11th grade literature curriculum? ]

[internationalrelations]

[Bren curled his fingers around Essek's securely, following him towards the door out to the living room. He peeked over his shoulder to see... well, Henry sitting in front of the couch, the coffee table askew.

His eyebrows lifted. Having fun, Henry?]

--

[Alex was reaching out to sort through Henry's hair, lips pursed in a softly concerned expression.]

Yes, yes. You're a big tough demon, I know. [A big tough demon who was currently receiving a kiss to his forehead from his very smitten pactkeeper.] Glad you're all right.

[Alex looked back at the sound of Essek and Bren and grinned.]

We're good. Small incident with gravity.

[Up on his feet, he offered a hand down towards Henry to help him to his feet.]

We ready to go? Night's not getting any younger.

[zauberdecke]

That is unfortunate... [ About the gravity, that is-- from the one man who had been a master of it at one point in time, though he was flexing his fingers once again in that area, and he was starting to feel his spells come back to him one by one, the memories of them. It was nice not to have his fingers shoot pain whenever he attempted to form the hand gestures that would institute the spell.

He slid out of the room hand in hand with Bren though soon enough he tucked himself into the side, he made it look like he was non-chalant about it-- but the drow was completely chalant and it showed in the tilt of his head. ]

--

I will be fine, Alex is right.. for once. [ Henry did not need to rub his head because the kiss would fix him, absolutely 100 percent would it fix him. But that was probably the only thing that would. He looked over to Alex and then said with a wry smile. ]

You drive, I have.. shotgun? And ah, you two can take the backseat.

[ Which Essek clearly looked as if it was fine by him to be in the backseat with Bren, though Alex may want to keep a watchful eye upon them. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Bren very happily slipped his arm around Essek to hold him close. This was much better, actually. It was comfortable and exactly where he would have wanted the other man. They really would be an insufferable couple to be around when they got their act together -- and when they broke Essek away from his abomination of a husband.

He leaned close to press a kiss through soft white hair. But he was still faintly amused as he nodded to Henry.]

As long as you are all right. Lead on.

[Alex did not even look over at Henry at that for once jab, just shoving the demon as if it were pure reflex.] I'm always right.

All right, let's go.

[He snagged up his keys and then held out his hand for Henry.] Come on your Majesty. Careful no more furniture jumps out to get you.

[zauberdecke]

[ They would be insufferable, and by that point in time Essek would've blossomed into the creature he could be when loved properly, with all of that coldness melted away leaving a soft vulnerability that was meant solely for Bren Ermendrud. But for right now he slinked into that embrace while he bunted his head up just a little bit against Bren's chin, much like a cat could do when scent-marking.

There was Bren, finding himself a cat in the shape of a drow. Not only that but the Drow had clearly marked Bren as his own. ]

We have been over this, Alex-- it is not Your Majesty, it is Your Highness-- do you want to be struck down by the King of Hells? [I.E the Goblin King himself... Henry said, as he followed Alex outside, skillfully managing to avoid the assassin door handle peering at him menacingly from the door-- the cheeky bugger. ]

They like each other, right? [ Essek remarked up to Bren, because at this point in time he was only a little doubtful that they did. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Bren was, in every sense of the word, living his best demonic life right now. He just about melted as Essek went and nuzzled under his chin because how was he supposed to survive that? No one could be expected to not turn into a simping puddle of a man when someone as brilliant and beautiful as Essek Thelyss was starting to let the iciest of his walls begin to thaw and come down.

There had never been anything more rewarding in this lifetime.

Bren snorted before he could catch himself. Good question, Essek.] They do. I have never seen Henry so smitten. I am almost embarrassed to be seeing it. [The clear intimacy. Jeez.]

[Alex meanwhile was rolled his eyes.] Aww... are you asking me to meet your dad? This is all happening so fast.

[He laughed at his own joke as he climbed into the car.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek managed to crawl into the backseat of the car and then once Bren was in there with him, he latched on quite spectacularly. It appeared that with enough provocation, Essek could be quite the clingy thing, standoffish but only for clearly the rest of the world and that world did not include Bren. ]

I suppose Alex is alright, between him and his murderous coffee table.

[ Oh Henry was safe, as if anything could murder a Demon save for perhaps another demon. Certainly not a little oak coffee table with charming little coasters atop it. ]

Though I am not sure you are ready to meet the King of Hell, Alex-- you are far too insolent for your own good.

[internationalrelations]

[Bren was delighted by this discovery, with the realization that Essek had come to not only trust him but to actively seek out contact. He slipped his arm around the drow with a soft smile, not hesitating to press to his cheek. Clingy Essek was now officially one of the demon's favorite things in existence.

He laughed quietly at the banter from the front seat.

Alex turned on the car and looked over at Henry.]

Insolent? You say the sweetest things. I'm blushing.

[And then out and on the road, a brief glance at Essek in the rearview mirror. It was new to see the drow look so at ease with someone.]

[zauberdecke]

I am not good in social settings...

[ Especially not places where it was expected that they have 'fun'; he could be pleasant and courteous outwardly at social gatherings held for his den, but this was a new thing and so he whispered that against Bren's ear, perhaps a warning.

In the rearview, Essek caught Alex's gaze and he gave him a dagger look, a 'this is our secret, my vulnerability' which was likely laced with daggers. ]

Insolent is the truth, you have been nothing but insolent the entire time. [ Was there an edge of fondness to that voice? Of course there was and it was directed right at Alex-- enough that it would disturb Alex from his ruminations. ]

There is also the willful, but we will assess that 'later'. [ That was a promise, even as he folded his arms; and honestly-- it was a good thing that Alex was driving because Henry could not be trusted behind a wheel. ]

[internationalrelations]

Neither am I.

[Bren admitted. Social settings were not his favored terrain. He enjoyed libraries and bookstores and quiet rooms with warm fires. But he also liked dancing very much, and he liked Essek, and he was quite certain he would like dancing with Essek -- even if the dancing was more slow motion grinding beneath dimmed lights than the dancing he knew when he was young.

In the mirror, Alex saw that glare. A grin spread over his face and he winked at the drow. He was clearly terrified of that threat. But Essek's secret was safe with him.

He was, after all, busy with his own vulnerability with his unexpected demon pact, his unexpected lover. ...though apparently that vulnerability was expressed through banter currently.

A snort at the accusation from Henry.]

The entire time, huh? [If Caleb and Essek hadn't been in the car, he'd have asked Henry if he was still insolent when Henry had been balls deep fucking the life out of him. He even opened his mouth to say it before a rare moment of self control over his tongue took over.

And then failed when his demon spoke next.]

That a threat or a promise, baby?

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek knew that he would enjoy anywhere that he was with Bren, but still he managed to drape himself over Bren regardless. He would not speak entirely too much, intent on listening to the banter coming from the front seat, but his fingers were curling in Bren's hair.

There may have been a tendril of possessiveness to it.

As if he owned the demon. ]

You can consider it a promise.

[ Henry was not afraid to lay it right there on the table between the two of them though he can tell that Alex was going to pursue this relentlessly, there was that gleam to his eyes that said that he was willing to show him later-- it was all promise. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Bren would certainly not object to the possessiveness. He did belong to the drow. It was what he wanted to be, really, so there was only contentment as he leaned into Essek, let his arm slip around the other man and draw him closer.

It was a nice excursion to get Essek even further away from his husband for the evening.]

Ha.

[Alex grinned, glancing briefly at Henry before his gaze returned to the road once more.]

I'll hold you to it.

[Luckily the club they were headed to was not that far away, and Alex was parking before too long.]

All right. Showtime, guys. Let's do some dancing.

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek slid out of the car after Bren did, choosing to go out that way where he would ultimately be protected, though once he was outside of the car-- a change came over Essek and that was of utmost confidence. For all that he perhaps worried about being awkward, his social skills usually came into full play where he almost instantly adopted the guise of ice queen.

Thus he took the arm offered to him by Bren as if he owned it and then he would deign to be lead into the club. ]

[ And with Henry leaning in close to Alex as they started to walk. ]

You are going to have to show me the way, because I know I will be lost.

[ Dancing, well grinding. He had gone to a few clubs in the 70s and early 80s, but this would be a far different beast of a monster and one that he would need assistance with navigating. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Bren, settled his hand gently against Essek's where the other man had taken his arm, a soft touch. He noticed the way that Essek drew himself into that unassailable ice queen persona, but he knew the vulnerability that hid not so far beneath the surface.]

I fear the entire club will envy me, walking in with someone so lovely on my arm.

[But heaven help anyone who tried to approach his pactkeeper.]

I've got you. We'll just have to loosen you up a little, that's all.

[He slung an arm around Henry's shoulders and urged him towards the entrance to the club. Once inside the music greeted them with the intense pumping beat like a heartbeat. The lights were low, the dancefloor full of bodies caught in the spell of the song.]

[zauberdecke]

I am the one to be envied.

[ Essek said, and the tone of his voice held it's own brand of possession-- as if he would allow anyone near his demon, the two of them would be territorial cats who would stake their claim quite deliberately and be quite happy to remind everyone of the fact. ] I suppose I will allow you to buy me a drink.

[ It was a different vibe from the one that radiated from the clear Power Couple walking nearby, but Henry enjoyed it, there was a lose casualness to it that denoted that this would be treated as both a learning experience as well as a game. Perhaps some good natured ribbing, that is until Henry saw how the others in the club gravitated toward Alex.

Then his own possessive side would come out. ]

I think that it is probably a good idea to let you know that I do not drink much either.

[internationalrelations]

Of course. It is the least I can do.

[Drinks for his queen. Whatever Essek liked. Bren led him through the crowd to retrieve a drink from the bar for both of them. Alex had chosen a decently upscale venue at least, and the bar had a good selection to choose from.

And Bren had been very right about the envy. He could feel the eyes on him, on Essek, and anyone who looked too long would be met with a sharp stab of something from eyes that were all at once too bright and too blue.]

Yeah, don't worry about that. [Alex quipped back as they made their way further into the throng a bit behind Essek and Bren.] I'm a pro. I can teach you that too.

[Look, Henry. The Talamasca was stifling sometimes. Alex had to find some outlet, and he'd lost himself in this exact place on more than one night. And made a few, er, friends here. Including one of his totally-didn't-realize-I-was-bisexual-despite-messing-around-with-a-dude-once experiences.]

We'll get you something sweet to start with. [Maybe with an umbrella and some cherries.]

[zauberdecke]

[ The eyes on the flickering fire that was Bren was just as potent, and Essek could see those people prowling around. It was like they did not notice anyone except for who was casting covetous glances at their partner, and wasn't that absolutely adorable. He made a show of leaning into Bren, running his fingertips against his forearm and then accepting the glass when it was offered.

It was his way of marking the other man as his own, and he would do it well. There was the swipe of tongue against glass before he handed it back to Bren, commanding him to hold it. ] After this drink is finished, I will let you lead me out to the dance floor.

[ Henry was lead, hand in hand toward where the bar was. He clocked that Bren was in his element being directed by the drow-- he knew that the other man liked following orders, liked not being in control and it also appeared as if the other man liked being in control.

Symbiotic relationship.

He raised a brow. ] Sweet? I do not recall drinks being sweet. [ This was back when alcohol ran toward wine, martinis or beer with little variances. The liquor business had come a long way, what with the inclusion of whipped cream flavored vodka which was not a thing back in the day. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Bren was entirely unaware that he was being PERCEIVED so clearly by Henry. Because yes, he was falling into this role all too eagerly, that natural inclination to obey, to please. He took the glass without word, nodding.]

I would like that very much.

[To dance with him, to make it clear tat they were indeed here together. Even now he stood with his hand set at the small of Essek's back, guarding him closely.]

--

...seriously? Baby, I am going to blow your mind.

[Alex released Henry's hand only long enough to lean himself against the bar and signal the bartender over to order both of them a painkiller. Sweet and potent. It was probably a terrible idea, but Alex was fond of those.

Drinks procured, he turned to face Henry and pressed one of the glasses into his hands.]

Here. It tastes like sunshine. ...and pineapple.

[He clinked his glass against Henry's.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek slid easily into the role that was in harmonious conjuncture to Bren's; he acted as if he owned that hand that placed itself against the small of his back. A far more primal and far less kind version of a Knight and his Queen. He reached up with the hand not holding a drink, and then ran the back of his fingers against a jawline, feeling the scrape of facial hair there.

That too was the very essence of claiming, there was the slightest scrape of long fingernails then, just the pointed tips-- enough to make someone as submissive as Bren take notice. And Essek did like being in control, he'd proven it time and time again-- it was all apart of that freedom that he wanted. ] Assist me in drinking this drink and then we'll go. [ His lipstick mark was definitely on glass as he passed it to Bren. ]

--

[ By this point in time Henry had determined that Alex was very fond of bad ideas, and so he took this drink that Alex offered him, cupping it in his hand. It was the largest drink he'd ever seen with a pineapple wedge straddling the edge of the glass.. and yes there was an umbrella. It looked like sunshine so he took his lead from Alex and then brought the glass to his lips and first he licked the surface of the drink.

This would come across as very weird, but he evidentally found that he liked what he was given and so he actually drank like a normal person, and then a smile broke over his features. ] Not bad at all.

[ He did not know how strong they were, just that they tasted good so he thought perhaps he could have several; arguably also an extremely bad idea.

His trust in Alex's taste may have grown three sizes in this moment. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Bren's chin lifted at the touch along his jaw, the cat leaning into its owner's touch, prolonging the touch, the claim and the affection of it -- and equally the sharp drag of those nails. Anyone watching him would see the way the sharp edged blade of his gaze softened when it settled on Essek. Bren was a thing with tooth and fangs, but he was entirely tame for his pactkeeper. His mate.

He took the glass and sipped as bidden, quite deliberately placing his own lips against the lipstick stain left on the glass. It was a shared communion, a sacrament that Bren would happily repeat.]

I'm looking forward to dancing with you.

--

[Alex took a sip of his own drink, watching Henry at the same time. A grin split over his features, bright and thrilled, at the demon deciding he liked it.

After tasting it like a snake. What the hell Henry. That was adorable, in a very odd little way.]

See? Told you. We're in my element now.

[And that would probably wind up backfiring since there was definitely some of his past hanging around here. There was a pair of eyes on Alex at the moment, watching through the crowd -- Henry might remember Alex admitting that he'd messed around with a man before while he was still convinced he was straight -- and considering making a second run at Alex.

Oblivious to this, Alex took another long sip of his drink before stepping in closer to Henry.]

Thanks for coming out, by the way. I know this isn't your scene, but... [But well. He was looking forward to it.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek watched this, their eyes connecting over the edge of the glass-- and then Essek's gaze as it looked downward and then settled on the way that those lips framed the subtle sharpness of teeth, just the barest of points. He was captivated and there was no helping it whatsoever-- and so he moved closer, taking the drink to finish off the rest of it.. though right where Bren's mouth had touched.

He could almost taste the kiss there.

And then he set the glass down on an empty table and then moved to run his fingertips against the suspender strap that Bren was wearing, giving it a very light yank. ] Now...

--

[ Henry was unmindful of the past that Alex had, his eyes had never been on anyone else but Alex.. not for the past year (yes, it had been that long) so he gave Alex a smile that was obviously delighted, showing the sparkle of his blue eyes. The proximity was enough that he had to keep a firm hand on his drink lest he drop it. ]

Remind me to take you to am Opera House or to Broadway. [ Henry said with a knowing smile. ] I think that perhaps we could open up the door to exploring more of each other's worlds.. you know, I would not mind at all.

[internationalrelations]

[Bren likewise could not tear his eyes away from Essek's lips. It was entirely likely they'd wind up making out on the dancefloor -- Bren was a proponent of this. The look on his face as Essek pulled at his suspender was one of complete and utter devotion as he moved along with the drow, a quick step closer to him to catch his balance, hands settling at Essek's waist.]

As you wish.

[He reached up to thread his fingers through Essek's hand at his chest, stepping back and leading the drow out towards the dance floor.]

--

[That smile should be a crime, to be so bright and heartstopping. How could a demon look so positively heavenly? Alex couldn't fathom it at all, but there was a moment where he was just struck by that smile, by those eyes. Oh, oh wow. He was in so deep.]

Yeah, okay. I'd like that.

[Even if he was a bit skeptical about opera. If Henry liked it, then wasn't that reason enough to go?]

But first... dance with me?

[zauberdecke]

Lead me through the motions....

[ Essek said as he was pulled to the dance floor, his own body gravitating toward the other man's. He had eyes only for the magnetic man before him, the energy of him and the fire and intensity. He was the moth and this man was the flame, and he would follow desperately. He knew it.. even as once they were on the dance floor, he pressed himself flush. ]

Show me.. [ A command, not a request. ]

--

Isn't that the point of coming here? To dance? [ Well nowadays, not so much. But he did enjoy dancing even though it was the more traditional sense, and he wanted to be in the orbit of this entrancing sun mote of a man. Both Henry and Bren were clearly smitten with their pactkeepers-- the grip on Alex's hand said enough as he was led as well.

The floor was crowded so this would mean that proximity was encouraged. There was that swarm of people around them that made him feel like he was drowning, but then he looked into those bourbon whiskey eyes and he was floating. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Bren's hands slid their way down Essek's sides, slow and deliberate. He would obey that command oh so eagerly. His hands drifted back up the way they had come, and then further, guiding the other man to wrap his arms around his neck.

His hands found their place at Essek's hips, urging him in closer.]

It is not so different than the way we have danced together before.

[Though that dance had been done behind closed doors in beds and other private place. Caleb gave a slow roll of his hips in time with the beat, urging Essek to move with him.]

--

Damn right.

[He turned to face Henry properly as they found their spot in the undulating crowd, a smile lighting up his features as their eyes met. Bren and Henry were not the only smitten ones in this equation.

Alex fell into the rhythm of the music easily, as if he had been resisting it since the moment they walked in the door and he finally yielded to the hold it had on him.]

[zauberdecke]

[ It was not fair how Essek felt Bren's body start that rhythm that made him hyperaware of what they had done often behind closed doors. An act that he had not enjoyed until this demon had promised him the key to his cage. And the freedom that he had felt within his own body was only a taste of the freedom that he knew the other man would obtain for him.

So he wrapped his arm around that shoulder as he pressed his mouth close to Bren's ear, undulating his hips in time as he let the rhythm guide him. This was easy to do when he was thinking back to those moments he'd enjoyed, especially when Bren nearly dripped sin and desire. ]

--

[ Henry wrapped one arm around that waist and then started mirror movements; he did have a natural grace that would serve him well here-- the touch of Henry's hand would feel warm as it slipped underneath shirt to palm against flesh.

But it was such a discreet little tribute wrought upon flesh and he would use that hand to draw Alex closer. He could not stand to be outside of that light even if it made others jealous in the process. ] You are gorgeous.

[ He whispered against Alex's jawline, as if he could not keep it inside. ]