I own nothing-

Athena Trevelyan sat at her desk in her lavish room. Her head was in her hands as she rocked slowly back and forth. The voices in her head would not give her peace. In Haven they were just small whispers in the back of her mind. As a mage the calls and voices of demons were nothing new to her, but she could always push them from her mind. She would never give herself over to one of those monsters. But recently it had become so much worse. The mark on her hand seemed to attract every demon within 20 square miles. Their voices were constant. They were loudest on the throne, as if they knew she held someone's fate in her hands at that exact moment.

"Kill him…Punish him for what he has done….blood…make them pay in blood."

"You are weak, let us take over."

"So tired….sleep…we will handle things…"

She couldn't let anyone know what she was hearing. Her judgment was her own, but the thoughts still plagued her. They were true, she wanted justice and some of the people before her did terrible things. They deserved to be killed, to know the fear and pain they had caused. But she was not that kind of person, they was always a better way to handle prisoners. They could be put to work, or useful for the spread of the inquisition. She always saw reason when handling the fate of those she judged, but it still didn't keep the voices at bay.

Right now at her desk they were in an up roar, after the destruction of Haven they seemed to push through the veil onto her mind. There was no rest from there constant screams and demands for power. They told her how it was all her fault, so many died because of her. She hadn't done enough to protect them. Visions of her standing covered in the blood of those lost at Haven were pushed into her mind. They would flash behind her eyes like lighting.

Athena rubbed her temples hoping to silence the voices and cast away the visions but it was no use. They would not stop. Finally it was too much and she shot up from her chair and thrusted her arms out at her sides sending bolts of lightning from her finger tips.

"ENOUGH!" She yelled. Looking around she saw that her outburst had caused burns to mark the wall along with the small fire that had started on the curtain next to her. Then she saw him.

Cullen stood at the top of her steps, papers in hand; he was looking at her his brow pressed down in concern.

Trevelyan straighten her shirt and fixed her posture so that she look some what presentable. Then she smiled at him, "Commander, I'm sorry. I didn't hear you came in." she said walking over to the small fire and patted it out.

"Inquisitor…I did not mean to intrude." He said walking over to her.

She refused to meet his eye as she sighed and walked on to her balcony. She could just make out the soldiers sparing out by the pub. All these people under her command and here she was battling voices in her head.

Cullen fallowed her, put his hand on her shoulder her turned her so she would look at him. "Are you alright?" He asked. She still wouldn't meet his gaze so he lifted his hand to her chin and softly pulled her chin to look at him. "Trevelyan. I asked a question." He said.

Athena looked into his hazel eyes, they were so strong hard after years of trials, but she could see the tenderness around the edges. How they said what he was too afraid to. She knew that he desired her. The need and want was in his eyes along with lust. She could feel them all as he stood there looking at her. She flicked her eyes down to his lips, by the maker they were perfect. She wanted to taste them, to have them cover every inch of her body. To feel them trace down her neck then to end at her breast. Have him lick and bite as he ran a hand between her legs, building her up for the release she needed.

"I can make that happen, let me show you how to please him. To fulfill your desire."

Trevelyan knew that voice well, the desire demon had plagued her for weeks. It knew that she wanted Cullen. And it played on her passion, but it was because of this that she pushes him away. She would not give the demon that chance to take over her mind. She couldn't risk being so overcome with emotion that she could give control of herself to the beast.

Cullen rubbed his thumb over her cheek tenderly, the action made Trevelyan closed her eyes and moan softly. He could make her feel this way with just one touch. He body demanded more. She took a step closer to him, her body pressed lightly to his now.

"Cullen…" she sighed looking back up at him from beneath her lashes. As he chest rubbed against his she saw the lust that was once hidden in his eyes push its way to the surface. He wrapped his arm around the small of her back and pulled her tighter to him.

The image of them wrapped around one another flashes in her mind, and then him on top of her eyes closed in bliss as he thrusts into her. The images send fire down her body pooling between her legs. Then his eyes open and they are no longer the brown loving ones she was stareing into seconds before. Now they are black and empty, the acts of the demon pressing in her head. She flings her arms out pushing him away hard.

"Kill him!" The action was pushed into her head like it was a thought of her own. But she knew it was not hers.

"You will not have him!" she said her hands flexing in front of her.

Cullen taken by surprise puts his hand instinctively to his sword and stumbles back, confusion on his face, as he rights himself.

Athena blinked quickly, the vision no longer clouding her mind. She saw the way he was looking at her, his hand still resting on his weapon. She was a monster. Just like the ones from his past, she was what the voices wanted, and they didn't even have to possess her to make her this way.

"Like us! Monster!"

"I'm sorry." She said taking a deep breath. Her hands flew to her head as the pain threatened to rip her very mind apart.

"Trevelyan! What is going on!" Cullen said rushing to her side.

"Stop! Stay back. I don't want to hurt you." She said trying to back away from him.

"Why would you hurt me?" He asked looking down at her.

This was not happening, not here not now, not in front of him. She would not allow these things to inpact her life like this. She was in control! Not them. It took all her will but she soon stood straight and forced her mind to go blank. She would not look weak, she was the inquisitor, leader of one of the most powerful armies in all the land. Her mind would not be toyed with like some weak defenseless mage.

"I think you need to leave." Athena said turning away from him. Trying to collect herself the best she could.

"But, what just happened. Trevelyan if there is something going on we need…" Cullen started but was cut off by her harsh tone.

"NO! The only thing you need to do is what I have asked you to." She said firmly without looking at him.

"As you wish." He said flatly turning to leave. His boots fell heavy on the floor.

Xxxx

Xxxx

Xxxx

It had been three days since she was with Cullen, Athena had not left her room. The others would come by and demand that she come out but she refused. She kept her door barded and locked. On the second day she added a magic ward to it, for fear that Iron Bull would break it down. As he promised to do, she thought back to the moment.

"Boss you in there?" he asked threw the large wooden door. She was standing on her over look in her bed room and could hear his loud voice clearly.

"Go away bull." She answered sitting down in her chair.

"Look were starting to worry Cullen said some things about the way you were acting. We are all worried. At least let me come in and make sure you ok in there." He said.

"I'm fine. Now go."

That's when she heard the door start to shake. He was going to pull it right off the hinges. "Knock it off! Can't I be alone for a while." She yelled down to him.

"Boss you're the leader of a whole origination, you're never going to be alone. Now I'm going to get my axe and knock this fucking thing down if you don't open up."

Trevelyan pulled her legs up into her chest. Rocking.

"Have it your way then. Be back soon." He said then she heard him walking away.

The barrier had survived against his axe. She heard others calling to her, but they were nothing compared to those voices in her head. The mark on her hand flared up constantly. It was like the voices already had control over her. looking at the mirror handing on the wall she shook her head, the black rings under her eyes made her face look sunken, her normally shining white hair seemed dull and nappy. She had not eaten for days yet the pain wasn't in her stomach, she could focus on nothing but her mind. Her lack of sleep was not helping either, she knew that she was losing her grasp on what was real and what wasn't.

Papers littered her floor, along with her books and cloths. She had flung them all around in her fits of rage.

It wouldn't be long now. She knew it, her mind would break and then she would be open to any demon, they would take control of her and then lead the inquisition to ruin. There was only one way to stop it. Standing she looked out at the snow covered mountains. The snow look so soft and beautiful, that's how she would end it. All the voices and demands, she would fling herself from her balcony. That was the only way. Just as she took the first step she heard voices.

"Herald, Are you awake?" Varric's voice was as clear as day. She smiled as she thought of the dwarf. He always made her feel better, no matter how down she was he could always make her laugh. There wasn't a mean bone in his body, she loved him like a brother.

"Pain pushing raceing pulling it in two. Fighting to keep me here. I'm me not them. The burning boiling behind my eyes. Constantly call." Cole said from some where behind the door.

Trevelyan close her eyes, maker how long had she hid it from them. She guessed she really was close to the end if Cole could read her so easily now. She couldn't be upset with him though, just like Varric she loved Cole. He was so sweet and thought of everyone but himself. The others had taken time to warm up to him but she liked him as soon as he had appeared at Haven.

"Is he talking about the inquisitor?" Cullen voice asked.

"Kid can you hear what's going on?" Varric asked Cole.

"It's hard. It's not her voice. It's her but her voice is so small. Others fight to take her place. Ripping her, her mind pulling." Cole answered.

"Others? Does he mean demons?!" Cassandra asked.

"Yes. They want her. They have been fighting for her. In her. They are bad, they want dark things. Kill them kill all of them let us in, we will help, so much responsibility, take a break sleep, come to us. Blood bodies laying everywhere. Now bodies on top of another skin smacking together sweat slick on them. You want him. The Templar, you want him inside of you. He will never want you, he hates what you are. Monster, evil, die. Lock you away again, no more sky. No friend, all gone. Alone all alone. Except for us. Were here. Let us in." Cole looked at Cullen.

"You're the templar." He told him.

"Makers breath, has she been in pain this whole time." Cullen asked.

"She needed a break, someone to ease her burden. A way to release tension." Iron bull grumpled.

"Finally an end. Silence, snow so white so beautiful. Perfect pure, like falling into a pillow. The fall will be quick. Then it will be over, no more voices. No more power. Just quite." Cole was looking a Varric.

"What is that? what are you hearing?" Varric asked. "You gotta make some sense kid."

"She's too tired. She's decided to end it before something takes over her mind. Thinks it will set things right. She was too weak to lead. Never really ment to, just an accident. She's righting the wrong."

"GET THIS DOOR OPEN NOW!" Cullen shouted.

"Well then I suggest all you people move so the only one here that actually has the magical ability to do so can get through." Dorian said shoving threw the crowed.

Trevelyan hear him starting to pull down the barrier, her pace quickened as she walked out the doors. They couldn't help her, no magic in the world can save a mage when they have lost control of their own minds. She would be the down fall of the whole inquisition. She couldn't let that happen, she had to do the right thing. It was for the greater good. Pulling herself up onto the railing she heard the wood splinter and crack as the finally busted through the door. she closed her eyes as the wind whipped around her knowing that peace would soon come.

"Trevelyan!" Cullen yelled. she looked at them over her shoulder. Cullen standing a few feet from the door, Varric to his left with Cole and Iron Bull behind him. Cassandra was on his right her eyes wide with fear.

Athena felt bad, all the work she had put into defending her, the women had been cast out of her own church just because she believed in Athena, now all that was pointless. All her hard work gone.

"Whoa Boss, why don't you come down from there. Let's talk." Iron bull said his hand reaching out in a calming gesture.

Trevelyan smiled at them then stepped over the edge. The last thing she heard was Cullen voice, "NO!"

Xxx

Xxx

Xxx

They had all moved with lightning speed to the edge of the balcony. Varric doing the first thing he could think of quickly grabbed Bianca he sent a bolt flying toward the inquisitor. The arrow pierced her shoulder and knotted out the other side. Causing her to stop mid-air and slam into the rough stone side of her tower. The force of her full weight slammed on the rope almost lifting Varric off his feet.

"A LITTLE HELP HERE PEOPLE!" He yelled struggling to pull her up. The rest soon joined him and together pulled up Athena.

When her body made it to the top they pulled her body over and collectively gasped. The blood pouring from her head covered her hair turning it a sick hue of red. Her eyes and face were sunken and frail.

"What happened to her?" Cassandra asked kneeling down pushing the hair from her face.

"Well you take a tumble of a tower Seeker and lets see how you look." Varric said cutting the rope attached to the arrow. Cassandra glared at him.

"The demons might have had a tighter grip on her then we thought." Dorain said pouring healing magic in to her. "We need to get her to a healer. I can patch her up but I'm no expert." He motioned for Iron Bull.

"Got it." Bull walked over and slid his arms under her head and legs, carrying her bridal style. "Don't worry Boss we'll get you fixed up." He said as he walked with Dorian toward the healing room.

Cullen fallowed closely behind, his eyes never leaving Athena. He begged in his mind.

Please. Please maker. Let her live.

Xxx

Xxx

Xxx