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Jongwoon bites down hard, ripping his fangs through the hunter’s neck. When he pulls away he has to spit out chunks of flesh. He uses his claws to finish the job, ripping the hunter’s head from his body. His body falls to the ground with a thud. Jongwoon tosses the head behind him, not wanting the glassy lifeless eyes staring at him for another second longer. Heechul slides up next to him, smelling of an obscene amount of blood. The werewolf’s claws are practically dripping it. If it was his own wound it would have healed by now. The blood belongs to some other poor sap.
“That was hot.” Heechul practically purrs. “Never thought I’d say that about decapitation.”
“So not the time.” Jongwoon says, suppressing an eye roll. “Let’s find Jungsoo already.”
“He disappeared into the shadows.” Heechul points out, as if Jongwoon hadn’t already seen it with his own eyes.
“Let's just find him. I don’t feel good about this.” Jongwoon steps around a hunter’s body, one that Heechul had taken out. It’s not that he thinks the witch is in trouble. As a matter of fact he thinks the witch probably could have done this on his own. His instincts are telling him something isn’t right here at this compound. His instincts have never been wrong before.
“Did we switch roles?” Heechul chuckles. “Usually I am the overprotective paranoid one and you’re the one telling me to chill.”
“Then maybe you should take what I am saying more seriously, asshole. Something is wrong.”
“Damn,” Heechul huffs. It’s not that he isn’t used to this type of language or attitude from the vampire, he just usually understands what has set the vampire off first. He feels completely in the dark right now. Nothing unusual has happened. He and Jongwoon always take out the hunters guarding the compound and Jungsoo immerses himself in the shadows to go retrieve his grimoires. They always act as some sort of decoy while Jungsoo accomplishes that actual mission. It gives Heechul a chance to really stretch his muscles. Everything is going according to plan. If anything he and the vampire are more in danger out in the open like this.
They cross the courtyard effortlessly. And Heechul pulls the reinforced steel door off its hinges and allows Jongwoon to step through first. They wander the halls a little lost. The only thing they’re relying on is Heechul’s sense of smell, which is still better than Jongwoon’s but not by much. It gets tricky tracking the shadow witch when he immerses himself in the shadows. His scent changes and it’s easy to lose through the shadows. Still, Heechul feels confident in being able to navigate these corridors to find Jungsoo.
What does eventually lead them to find him is the fire. Specifically the smell of a burning corpse. They find Jungsoo standing in front of what looks to be a jail cell. A few charred corpses lay by his feet. Heechul kicks them out of the way. Parts of them crumble to ash while charred limbs roll away. They can tell by Jungsoo’s tense posture that something isn’t right. Jongwoon can’t stay focused on the blond witch for long, because he is immediately drawn to the three vampires behind the cell bars. Something painful twists in his chests at the sight of the female vampire being shielded by the two male vampires. Their eyes glow a fierce starved red. Jongwoon does not feel good about this.
“I don’t have enough blood substitute.” Jungsoo mumbles as Heechul comes up beside him.
“We can just leave them here. They aren’t what we came for.” Heechul suggests. "Definitely not grimoires." Jungsoo already has two grimoires tucked into his bag. Their mission has been successful.
“No!” Jongwoon says quickly, stepping up to the bars of the cell. “They’re my fledglings.”
“What!” Heechul gasps, looking back and forth rapidly between the three vampires and his vampire. “I thought you said the hunters killed your fledglings?”
Jungsoo lets out a sigh as if he already expected this outcome.
“They did. These three were made after they captured me.” Jongwoon briefly explains. He of course doesn’t know the full story, but his time with the hunters was an unpleasant one. They did bleed him out quite a few times and that’s really all you need to make a new vampire. Vampire blood is easy to come by if you have a subdued one. “I know they took some of my blood. I didn’t think they’d make more vampires though.” The female vampire with jet black hair bares her teeth at Jongwoon as if in warning.
“How do you know they’re your fledglings?” Heechul asks, still not believing all this.
“I felt it. I can feel it now. You remember like ten months ago when I got that weird chest pain?” Heechul does remember. It freaked him out seeing his vampire suddenly doubling over in pain. “I felt it when they were made. I just didn’t want to believe it.”
“Fuck.” Heechul growls.
“They’re starving and I only have two bottles of blood substitute.” Jungsoo reiterates their presenting problem.
“Why are you carrying that stuff around anyway?” Jongwoon asks.
Jungsoo gives him a flat look. “What if you get hurt? What if Heechul and I are hurt and can’t give you any blood? Jongwoon-ah, use your head.”
“Oh,” Jongwoon hangs his head in embarrassment. He’s still not used to the witch caring for him so much. It fills him with warmth even after all this time. “Just roll the two bottles you do have in there, maybe they’ll calm down once they have something to drink.”
“That isn’t even enough for one of them.” Heechul is blunt, but Jungsoo rolls the bottles in and the oldest looking of the three vampires with ashen platinum blond hair snatches them quickly. He thrusts the bottles into the hands of the other two vampires. A younger male vampire with white hair and the female vampire with hair as dark as Heechul’s.
The white haired vampire looks unsure, but the female vampire chugs down the bottle’s contents quickly. The white haired vampire quickly follows her lead once the older looking vampire gives him a nod. Jongwoon has a feeling that even in their starved state they won’t attack him, but he isn’t too sure how safe Jungsoo and Heechul are. Fledglings are hardwired to obey their sires. He’s sure Jungsoo’s blood is driving them mad though. Just being in his presence is dangerous.
“Maybe there is a hunter still around that we can feed to them?” Heechul offers. “I’ll go look. Be right back.” Heechul quickly takes off and Jongwoon isn’t too concerned about him, but he can feel the witch tense next to him as Heechul disappears from their sight.
“Can we bring them back with us?” Jongwoon murmurs to the witch.
Jungsoo lets out a sigh. “Of course.” He can’t say no to Jongwoon. Especially after hunters took his other fledglings from him. “I can’t promise anything, but we won’t leave them here.”
They hear the hunter before they see him. “Let me go you filthy beast!” The hunter seethes.
Heechul throws the wide eyed terrified man at their feet. Jongwoon remembers hunters being so fierce when he first became a vampire. He remembers being scared out of his mind by these humans. And now…it feels laughable. He’s not sure if it's him that has changed or the hunters. He can’t imagine fearing them in the slightest now. Especially not with Heechul and Jungsoo by his side.
Jongwoon hauls the hunter to his feet and jams an arm through the bars. The hunter lets out a desperate scream as he struggles against Jongwoon’s hold but he is no match for the vampire’s strength. “Come on,” Jongwoon encourages the three fledglings.
“We won’t!” The female vampire snarls and the two male vampires look to be in agreement.
“How can they control their thirst like this?” Jungsoo mumbles to himself.
“They’re certainly Woon-ah’s fledglings.” Heechul snorts, amazed by their self restraint.
Jongwoon tears open the hunter’s arm before trying again to entice the three fledglings with the flowing blood, but the three of them stay put. Jongwoon gives up and just breaks the hunter’s neck instead, letting his lifeless body fall to the ground. The fledglings look horrified at the action, but Jongwoon can’t be bothered.
“Why?” The white haired vampire gasps out for the first time.
“Should have drank when you had the chance. Sucker was gonna die either way.” Heechul kind of kicks the body out of his way with the toe of his boot. He goes up to the cell and takes a bar in each hand, pulling at the bars of the cell. A vampire wouldn’t be able to break apart this makeshift jail, but it’s nothing for Heechul.
“You didn’t have to kill him.” The female vampire says, still too hesitant to exit through the opening Heechul has made for them. Heechul ignores her.
“Chul,” Jongwoon says, grabbing the werewolf’s attention. “Take Jungsoo out of here. I don’t trust them. I’ll deal with them by myself.”
“No way!” Heechul says in alarm. “I’m not leaving you with three unpredictable starved baby vampires, are you nuts?”
“I’d rather them be with me then be around Jungsoo. You know what his blood does to me in a starved state.” And of course Heechul does. How could he forget? It’s how the three of them met. “I’ll meet you guys at home. Get more blood substitute ready.” Heechul still looks reluctant and Jungsoo doesn’t say anything. Keeping a trained eye on the three fledglings. “Fledglings can’t harm their sire, it’ll be fine. Just go already.” Jongwoon urges and Heechul finally gives. He takes the witch by his hand and the two of them disappear down a different corridor.
“What are you going to do to us?” The female vampire asks, a nervous tint to her voice.
Jongwoon shrugs. “Haven’t had the time to think about it. My name is Jong—”
“We know who you are.” The blond vampire cuts him off. That’s not all that surprising.
“Well, then maybe you could tell me your names?” Jongwoon suggests.
“We’re not going with you.” The female vampire says, defiant.
“I’m Minho,” The white haired vampire says, getting to his feet. “Sooyoung and Yunho,” He points to the other two vampires. Yunho gives him a flabbergasted look. “Don’t know about you two, but I’m not sticking around to be starved and poked at anymore.”
Yunho sighs and Sooyoung huffs but the two of them follow the white haired vampire out of the cell. All Yunho can smell is blood, it’s taking all of his willpower not to react. He’s a little less hungry than his cellmates were though. He had recently been fed, which is why he handed the blood substitute to his companions. Still, the feeling gnawing at his stomach is making him a little hazy. And a hazy vampire is a vampire not in control. That makes him dangerous.
Yunho staggers as he exits the cell. Jongwoon is quick to catch him around the waist. Yunho is larger than him. So is Minho. Still, the strength of a five hundred year old vampire doesn’t fail him. He is able to easily support Yunho’s weight and lead them out of the hunter camp.
“Let him go,” Sooyoung snarls as they finally make it out to a courtyard, bathed in darkness under blankets of gloomy clouds and a setting sun. The fading light from the sun prickles at the baby vampires’ skin, but the cloud coverage helps somewhat.
“How about I take you guys home with me?” Jongwoon asks, ignoring Sooyoung’s demand.
“We aren’t stray dogs you can just pick up off the street.” Sooyoung replies, glaring at the silver haired vampire.
“I would love to go home with you, sire, where all the blood substitute is at. What a great idea.” Minho ends it sarcastically, making Sooyoung scoff.
“I’m fine,” Yunho says, trying to stand on his own, but it’s clear his legs are not strong enough.
“You three seem against murder. Just an observation. If I leave you on your own the hunger will take over and one of you will end up killing someone. So let me help you?” Jongwoon says, hope tinting his voice.
“Why should we trust you?” Sooyoung accuses.
“Noona.” Minho says point blank, the teasing tone having dropped from his voice. “I’m exhausted. I’m starving. What do we have to lose? Would you like to stay in this compound and continue to be tortured? Jongwoon-ssi has had plenty of opportunities to kill us. That witch could have done it the moment he saw us. So I’m going to take a leap of faith and trust our sire.”
“He’s right,” Yunho grunts in pain. “Let's go.”
Sooyoung’s upper lip twitches with annoyance but she gives and follows the silver haired vampire out of the compound. Minho staggering behind her. They truly are exhausted. Any adrenaline they might have had has dissipated.
Heechul is waiting by the door for them when they arrive. He might as well be in wolf form, wagging his tail and leaping with joy. He nearly pounces on Jongwoon when he sees him. Jongwoon laughs fondly as Heechul drags him into the shop. His three fledglings follow behind. Jungsoo emerges with bottles of blood substitute in his arms. Heechul sends a warning growl to the fledglings. Jungsoo just sets the bottles down on the counter. He’s more than positive he’d be able to subdue three baby vampires if need be.
Minho quickly reaches for a bottle and brings it over to Yunho who is in far the worst shape. He can hardly get his hands steady enough to twist off the cap. He empties the bottle immediately. He fills with instant relief. His legs become manageable once again and he shifts his weight off of the silver haired vampire. Sooyoung also snatches two bottles off the counter and starts drinking. Minho grabs the remaining three bottles. Taking one for himself and handing two more off to Yunho.
Heechul pulls Jungwoon into his arms. He runs his cheek along the underside of his vampire’s jaw. He briefly nips at Jongwoon's neck before continuing scenting the vampire. He doesn’t like that Jongwoon hardly smells of him. All he wants to do is get both his witch and vampire into a shower then comfortable in bed. Then he wants to lay on top of them and scent them for hours, but he settles for this. He rubbed his scent all over Jungsoo while the witch was making his blood substitute.
“You can drink all of it.” Jungsoo says, heading back into his potion room. “I’m working on a new batch now.”
“Thank you.” Minho says, wiping a stray drop of blood substitute from his lips.
“Why are you helping us?” Sooyoung asks, dropping her empty bottles on the counter top.
“We help everyone hurt by hunters.” Jungsoo says simply from his potion room.
“And you’re my fledglings. So you’re getting special treatment.” Heechul grumbles at Jongwoon’s words, dragging the vampire into the back room with him.
“Thank you.” Yunho says this time. “I don’t know what would have happened to us if you three didn’t show up.”
“Hunters would have used you three to track down witch covens.” Heechul says, bluntly.
“How did you end up with hunters?” Jungsoo asks.
“We are hunters.” Sooyoung says, innocently. Having no idea what alarm she just set off.
Heechul’s wolf rips through his skin. Sending shredded clothing in every direction. Black fur explodes across his body as he lands heavily on all fours.
“Shit!” Minho hisses, practically falling into Sooyoung. Yunho reaches for the two of them as Heechul growls and snaps his jaws at them.
“Whoa!” Jongwoon reaches for the werewolf to try and calm him.
“Explain yourself.” Shadows loom ominous over them as Jungsoo stalks forward.
“Wait, wait,” Minho gasps, never having seen shadows such as these. “We’re traitors.” His explanation does nothing to ease Heechul and Jungsoo’s anger.
“Let me explain!” Yunho finally manages, getting himself in between the pissed off werewolf and his friends. “We were witch sympathizers. This was our punishment. They turned us into vampires. They have been torturing us for close to a year now. We aren’t with them anymore, we promise.” Yunho pleads their case.
Jungsoo pulls his shadows back just the slightest. “Witch sympathizers?”
“He’s telling the truth.” Sooyoung snarls.
“There was a massacre. It was awful. Right after they set Jongwoon-ssi free. We couldn’t support it and they tortured us for it.” Minho rushes.
“ Tamashini-san’s coven?” Jungsoo murmurs, feeling sick to his stomach.
“That’s the one.” Sooyoung confirms.
“Heechul, baby, come back.” Jungsoo softens, comforting the werewolf. Heechul whines low in his throat. His massive head bumps into Jungsoo’s shoulder. He slumps to the floor, deciding to curl around his witch’s feet.
“That was awful.” Jongwoon says, more to himself than to anyone else in the room. He remembers the day that the three witches came to them. They had turned them away. They don’t even know what became of those three witches.
“You three can stay as long as you like.” Jungsoo eventually says. “There will be no killing under my roof. You’ll drink only blood substitute, just like Woon-ah.”
“That’s fine with us.” Yunho says, his tense posture easing up.
“We don’t actually have a spare bedroom or anything.” Jungsoo muses.
“Air mattresses?” Jongwoon offers.
“That’ll work.” Jungsoo agrees. “We can set them up down here. Should be enough room.”
“Thank you, again.” Minho says, finally stepping out from behind Yunho. Heechul snorts. He’s not happy about the arrangement but he won’t stop Jongwoon from bonding with his fledglings.
Jungsoo steps around the werewolf to go retrieve the air mattresses. He stirs his blood substitute a few more times, it is almost ready to bottle up. He’ll probably need to make a new batch in the morning, but it’s too late to start another one now.
“We won’t stay for long.” Yunho says despite the frown marring Jongwoon’s face. “You’re our sire, but we hardly feel attached. Setting off on our own is the right course.”
“Let’s go back to Korea. I’m so over Japan.” Sooyoung says.
“I’m game.” Minho says.
“I guess it’s up to you guys, but I’ll be here if you ever need me.” Jongwoon offers. Heechul snorts once more.
“Thank you.” Yunho says. It’s a phrase he’s been saying a lot today.
Jungsoo returns with the air mattresses. With a snap of his fingers they inflate. Heechul moves to the staircase, ready to cuddle his witch and vampire. Jungsoo shows them the bathroom where they can shower. Jongwoon tries to find some clothes the will fit them, but it’s hard for Minho and Yunho being much bigger. The three fledglings settle in for the night and Heechul finally gets his wish of smothering Jungsoo and Jongwoon in his scent. He doesn’t shift back to his human form until morning.
Yunho, Minho and Sooyoung are gone when Jongwoon wakes.There is a note, but he doesn’t bother to read it. Heechul pulls the vampire into his arms, comforting him as he sniffles. Jungsoo sighs, deflating the air mattresses. Jongwoon burrows into Heechul’s chest, trying to hold back a sob. His fledglings are gone. Again.