Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Lord, You Who said, ‘I leave you peace, my peace I give you,’ grant that,” Yunho spoke softly as if he were whispering to a child who had woken from a nightmare. The creature in his arms thrashed and screeched, its skin bubbling under his gloved hand. “Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, we may be liberated from every evil spell and enjoy your peace always. In the name of Christ, our Lord. Amen.”

He turned the spike in its neck one last time before it gave one final gurgle of pain and it burst into a black cloud of ash that hung in the air like the lightest of snow. To keep from breathing it in, he stepped back as he made the sign of the cross over his body. Comfort came in the form of holding onto his rosary as he said a silent prayer for the creature's comfort in whatever afterlife it had. It was once a person, someone who was loved and adored.

Just like him.

“You left half-way through,” he said over his shoulder when he felt San’s eyes on him from the doorway. “What was so important that it couldn’t wait?”

When he turned, he reached out and caught the cloth he knew San would toss his way. While demon blood was a great repellent for other demons, the smell was putrid to human noses. Even if Yunho thought he had grown accustomed to it, it always found a way to violate his nostrils.

“A message came in.” San watched as Yunho wiped his face before he cleaned his spike.

“And the raven couldn’t wait?” The silence broke his focus and he glanced up. Between San’s fingers was a roll of paper, one that Yunho knew where it was from without even opening it. The yellowed parchment and the small red tassel that hung out of it was symbolic enough.

“Did you read it?” Yunho collapsed his spike so he could tuck it away on his belt without the fear of stabbing himself.

“No.” San held it out to him with the expectation he’d come to him. “I figured you’d want it first.”

Yunho stepped over the broken debris of the broken-down cottage and snatched the scroll from San. He broke the tiny wax seal and began to read before it as he unrolled it.

San stepped over the threshold and waited at his side, his eyes avoiding the paper until Yunho delivered the news. “Well?”

“It’s an order to return home,” Yunho said under his breath.

“To the capital?” San raised a brow as he finally allowed himself to take a peek.

“No, my home. They want us to investigate the disappearances of several priests.” Yunho’s hands started to tremble and he quickly dropped them to avoid San seeing it. But telling by the concerned look on his companion’s face, it was too late.

“Are we to leave right away?”

“We’re to randevu with a supply convoy, then we’re to travel from there.”

“That seems more trouble than returning to the capital,” San sighed but was already turning on his heel to begin making his way back to their horses.

“Must be urgent.” Yunho followed, his boots crushing the crisp autumn leaves as he made his way over to their horses.

“It wouldn’t kill them to allow us a day or two’s rest in between work,” San said like he didn’t go stir crazy when he wasn’t working and often wandered into the labs just to distract him from his thoughts.

They worked well for that reason. Both of them were dedicated to the cause even at the cost of their own health. It had been several years since they were assigned to each other, and they were practically inseparable. But even so, Yunho had told him little about where he had come from. Not because he was ashamed or didn’t want San to know. But the thought of his hometown made his heart ache.

“We’ll head out then. There’s a river not far from here, we can stop there so I can clean up before we carry on,” Yunho decided.

“Please do, you reek,” San said with a mocking wave of his hand in front of his nose. “But why don’t we stop for the night after you wash off? It’ll be late by then, we should rest.”

Yunho didn’t want to rest. He wanted to get back to his village where he knew his favorite smile was waiting for him. It was the longest he had ever spent away from home, and even if they were returning briefly, it would be just enough to keep him going.

However, as much as he hated to admit it, San was right. They had been moving nonstop for several days trying to chase their target, so it would be unwise to jump straight into another mission without taking a chance to rest while they could.

“Alright, but we leave the moment the sun rises.”

🦇

The supply convoy was thankfully exactly where the letter said it would be. By the looks of it, they had been camped there for at least a day. Fire pits had been blackened, horses unsaddled and left to graze while their riders relaxed on nearby logs. Someone spotted them first and quickly left the campfire to meet them once they dismounted.

“You must be San and Yunho.” The man stretched his hand out for them to shake. The moment they touched, Yunho felt it.

“You’re an exorcist as well?”

“My name is Rowoon.” He smiled and the scar across his face pinched. “I heard you were good. It makes sense why they’re sending you.”

“You know what our mission is?” San asked.

“Not in full. But there’s been quite a change in this area lately. These disappearances have got a lotta people spooked.” He crossed his arms. “If priests aren’t even safe, there’s no hope for the rest of us.”

“Do you know who any of the priests were?” Yunho was fishing with the hope that the one name he knew wouldn’t be among the missing.

“Just one. He’s from my home village. His mother was the school teacher there, she got sick a few years ago and Yeosang was doing his best to still take care of her. She passed shortly after he disappeared, though. The doctor said she wasn’t that strong to begin with but he thinks she died of a broken heart after her son went missing. He was one of the first ones,” he sighed. “I only remembered him because he had this birthmark next to his eye. Otherwise, he was pretty quiet.”

“We’ll do our best to bring him home.” It wasn’t exactly a promise, it was hardly realistic. But Yunho believed in hope, because if he didn’t, he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to carry his nightmares as easily.

Rowoon smiled weakly. “Thank you.” He motioned to one of the covered wagons behind them. “Take what supplies you need for your journey home.”

San gave a polite bow of his head before he turned away to take advantage of the supplies offered to them. Yunho was about to follow, but a hand on his arm stopped him. When he turned, he was met with the grim face of Rowoon.

“I know he’s not like us.” San didn’t have the gift he meant. Yunho was about to defend San and his abilities when Rowoon continued speaking. “You can’t rely on it out there. Nothing is as it seems.”

Out where? Where are they sending us?

Yunho chose to remain silent but nodded to show that he understood. Rowwon gave a wary smile, one forced after years of tribulations that had taken all joy from the simple action. It was nothing more than muscle memory. He gave Yunho’s arm one final squeeze before he stepped away to continue his duties in peace.

The fleeting thought passed through Yunho’s mind, I wonder if we’ll ever see each other again.

🦇

Yunho’s home was rolling green hills filled with orchard trees and peaceful farmland. At first glance, it didn’t seem like the type of town to have one of the larger priories. It was truly the pride of their town, as it had been built around it as more people flocked to it.

By no means it was as large as the capital, or even as large as most metropolis cities. They were far behind on technology, but Yunho always blamed that on the church’s reluctance to accept science as a sibling of religion.

Still, when San let out a tiny “wow” the moment it appeared in their view, he felt a sinful dash of pride.

They rode in on cobblestone streets and while Yunho did not expect any parades or banners to be raised in his name, he had hoped for a little excitement. The previous times he had returned, people had at least rushed to say hello to him as he rode to the monastery.

Instead, he heard people whisper his name and look up with shocked expressions before they disappeared into their homes. Some women at a flower stand covered their mouths and gripped the small rosaries that dangled off their belts. Pity, and sadness; that was all he felt as their eyes watched him.

The closer they got, a few ‘Welcome back Father Yunho!’s were shouted at him, to which he smiled and bowed his head.

San urged his horse to go a tad faster so he could ride beside Yunho. “Is it normally this way?”

Yunho shook his head. “No, it’s not. Something is wrong.”

They reached the end of the road that led up to the cathedral when suddenly he heard the bang of a door hitting a wall.

“Father Yunho! Father Yunho!”

The kids filtered out of the church like mice running for cheese. He had to dismount his horse quickly to keep them from running underneath it. Kneeling, he caught the smallest ones with his long arms. They squealed and giggled, all trying to talk over each other to try to get his attention. The older ones stayed behind but seemed just as eager for their turn.

“You all are getting so big!” Yunho exclaimed as he leaned back to look at all of their faces. Twelve little orphans, the youngest was four while the oldest was now thirteen. Maybe compared to larger cities that amount of orphans was nothing. But to him, it was one too many.

“Have you been behaving? Not causing too much trouble for the sisters, are you?” He took note of their mischievous grins and he smiled. “Just what I thought.”

“Have you been fighting a lot of monsters, Father Yunho?” One of the girls asked.

“I have.” He gave her hair a playful ruffle. “I’ve been working hard to stop them before they get under your beds.”

Some of them giggled, while others shrunk at the mere thought. At some point, they would be watched over by a senior exorcist to see if any of them had the resolve to join their ranks. Their little souls still glowed so incredibly bright that it pained Yunho a little to think that something could dim in one day.

“Now what do we have here?”

Yunho and all the children looked up to the nun who stood with her hands on her hips, lips pinched in a forced annoyance.

“Sister Mina.” He stood and the children hid behind him as if his lean frame could save all twelve of them.

“I was going to scold them for running out like the classroom was on fire, but I can hardly blame them after seeing why.” She walked up to them while a smile took over her face. “Children, go back to the classroom for now. After your lessons, you can annoy Father Yunho all you want.”

They whined, but the moment she narrowed her eyes at them, their mouths snapped shut.

Yunho laughed. “You better listen to her. I bet her aim with a ruler is still just as wicked as when I was your age. Go on, I’ll see you soon,” he urged them before she made good on her silent threat.

After a few solemn goodbyes, the older children took the younger ones by the hand and led them back into the church. He certainly didn’t miss those days. He’d rather fight a demon than go against an angry nun.

“So, not even a proper hello after all this time?”

“Ah.” Yunho bowed to her and she let out a hiss of annoyance.

“None of that, young man. I’m not that old.” She swatted his shoulder before pulling him into a tight hug. It wasn’t common, but she had raised him, it was the least she was owed.

He clung to her tightly, his cheek resting on the top of her head. It only lasted a breath before she pulled back so she could adjust her veil. She reached up and gently patted his cheek with her soft, wrinkled hands. She wasn’t that old, but she was older than he remembered.

“Have you been well?” He asked.

“As well as I can be with recent events.” She was trying to be strong, he could tell that much. “Who did you bring with you?”

“This is Father Choi San. He’s been my partner for the past couple of years.” Yunho stepped aside so that San could step closer.

“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.” San gave her his best dimpled smile.

“My my, what a handsome lad you are. They are bred differently in the capital I see.”

A blush spread across San’s face faster than a wildfire. He stuttered as he searched for words, but she spared him from embarrassing himself.

“Forgive me, my heart and soul belong to God, but an old woman can still appreciate a handsome face once in a while.” She even reached out and squeezed San’s bare bicep with a careful hand. It only made him blush harder, but he didn’t seem to mind. Afterall, wearing a sleeveless cassock was a bold choice.

“I thought you said you weren’t old,” Yunho chuckled.

“I said I wasn’t that old. I see you still don’t listen,” she tutted. As she looked up at him, her gaze softened. “Are you here to see Father Yoon?”

“Yes. I’m sorry that this visit is for business instead of a homecoming.” Not that his homecomings ever lasted that long. “I was wondering if Mingi was around. I haven’t seen him yet.”

She frowned briefly, but she quickly steeled her face. “You should speak to Father Yoon first.”

Something heavy began to form in the pit of his stomach. It was raw and acidic and threatened to eat through the delicate lining. Something was wrong, why was no one telling him?

“He should be in the church. If not, more than likely the gardens.” She reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently. “I’m glad you’re back. May God continue to watch over you both.” She made the sign of the cross over herself before she let go of him. As she walked away, she clutched her rosary and didn’t look back.

“That was… odd,” San said softly.

“It was…” If Yunho focused on it any longer, he was going to vomit. “Let’s go.”

They wandered up the paved path before taking the steps that were so narrow that Yunho’s heel hung off when he stepped on them. The door was already propped open so it would be more inviting to any guest who came. Yunho’s eyes took a moment to adjust to the dimmer light of the church, but after a few blinks, he managed to see the place he used to call home.

Right through the door was a large stone font, the legs of it made to look like tree branches in tribute to the orchards that covered their lands. Yunho dipped his fingers into it and took a quick knee before he looked around. Light was cast down onto the pews through the stained glass windows, a kaleidoscope of colors that painted Yunho’s face as he slowly walked through the center aisle of the nave. He knew he needed to find Father Yoon, but nostalgia got the better of him.

He looked up at the cream-colored ceilings and took a deep breath. How many hours had he spent staring at it while pondering the meaning of things that were far beyond his youthful comprehension?

“This is beautiful,” San whispered.

“Thank you.” Yunho offered a weak smile. “But I know you’ve been in churches far more beautiful.”

San smirked and shrugged. “There can be beauty in simplicity. It’s homey, and there’s a comfort in that.”

Yunho took a moment to absorb that thought before he cleared his throat. “This way.” He led San out of the building and into the covered cloister. They had to round one corner before he noticed a familiar figure walking in front of them.

“Father Yoon!” He called out before he trotted over to him.

“Yunho! My god, you’ve grown!” They hugged each other tight.

“And you haven’t I see.” Yunho laughed as he pulled away. He paused as he glanced over him. “Something is different about you.”

“You’ve been gone for several years, Yunho. I’ve aged.”

That wasn’t it, but without being able to pinpoint what it was. Yunho smiled and nodded. “I don’t believe you’ve met my partner yet. This is Choi San.”

“I’ve heard wonderful things about you, Reverend San. Thank you for looking after Yunho for so long.” Father Yoon reached out and took San’s hand when he stretched it out.

“Pleasure has been mine. He’s an exceptional exorcist.” San was always so polite, but Yunho had yet to grow accustomed to it.

“I wish we could have met under happier circumstances, but God seems to have other plans.” Father Yoon gave them a sad smile. “Come, you boys must be tired after a long journey. I believe the Sisters were making a meal for you both.”

He motioned for them to follow. They walked on either side of his shoulders, only one step behind. It was something that was hammered into Yunho at a young age and he was grateful that San easily fell into step with him.

Nothing had changed around them. The church was old, but not falling apart. In the middle of the cloister was a lush garden, made up of walking paths and water fountains that the nuns often cared for and curated with seasonal flowers. It was lacking flowers at the moment, but the bushes were still lush and green.

Yunho smiled to himself as he remembered hiding in those bushes when he was young in order to avoid seminary. He was never alone, which was probably why they always got caught. But if he was there, Mingi was not far behind.

A group of young priests walked in the opposite direction in the hall across the garden. Happy and carefree, unconcerned with the darkness of the world.

“Father,” Yunho said after they rounded the corner. “I’ve been looking for him, but I haven’t spotted him. Is Mingi out in the orchards?”

His quick reflexes kicked in and stopped him from running into the priest when he came to a sudden stop.

“Yunho… I had hoped that they’d send anyone other than you for this job, as happy as I am to see you.” Father Yoon slowly turned to face them, but kept his gaze down. “I’m sorry to inform you that Mingi is one of the missing you’ll be searching for.”

The priest might as well have taken the stake from Yunho’s hip and used it to puncture a large hole through his chest. The strength drained from his knees, and before he knew it, San caught him just before he hit the ground. He had seen children torn apart, human souls swallowed by demons while they slept, and entire families crumbling at his feet with desperation for salvation. Yet, none of it came close to how he felt at that moment.

“I’m sorry. I had hoped they would have told you before you arrived. I tried to send letters to your superiors the moment we learned of it. But I was told that they didn’t want you distracted while on your mission and that once it was completed, then you were allowed to know.”

“H-how long?”

“Several months.”

Yunho squeezed his eyes shut so tight that it ached. Tiny flecks of light danced in the dark which only followed him when he opened his eyes again. Several months that he had been missing, perhaps dead, and Yunho had been none the wiser. He felt shame for the disappointment he had felt for not hearing from him in so long.

“Do you know what happened?” San asked as he helped Yunho steady himself.

Father Yoon shook his head. “He had been quiet leading up to his disappearance. There were a few times he had taken some day trips, but he told no one of his destination. After that, he had become withdrawn, confrontational, paranoid even.”

“Is there anything that you… suspect?”

Yunho looked at San with a silent warning to tread lightly.

When he answered, Father Yoon’s eyes were glued on Yunho. “No.”

A small wave of relief washed over Yunho, but it was promptly interrupted.

“However, we have been in talks about planning missionary trips to a nearby village that we believe is under the hold of witchcraft. If we had gone through with it, Mingi would have been one of the ones we sent.”

“That’s not up to you,” Yunho snapped. “You’re not equipped for that sort of thing.”

“And what are we supposed to do when our very way of life is threatened? There are not as many exorcists as there used to be, however, there are just as many demons. We are doing our part so that we can spare you extra labor.”

Yunho’s jaw clenched. They could argue the boundaries of their professions all day long. But it would be a waste of time. He knew which village Father Yoon spoke of; it had been a part of many ghost stories that they had been told as children. They had always been wary of it, but the village didn’t bother them, so they never bothered it. It was far enough away that it was often forgotten about until something like missing priests came about.

“Is that where our mission is sending us?” He asked, sounding exhausted already.

“Yes. We shouldn’t discuss this here.” Father Yoon motioned for them to follow with a polite wave of his hand.

Whatever was said after, Yunho didn’t hear. Everything around him blurred and even though he knew his feet were moving, he didn’t know where to. There was something wrapped around his wrist, either leading him or holding him over the edge, he wasn’t entirely sure. His lungs felt like they had shriveled up, each breath was harder to take. He stumbled until he bumped into something solid which was just enough to bring him back into his body.

He blinked and found himself looking down at San’s broad back. They were in a different hallway, no longer facing out to the sunny gardens. Just stone upon stone, with an occasional plain window to break up the gray.

“May we take a moment to unpack and freshen up, if that’s alright?” San offered as he let go of Yunho’s wrist once he checked that he was alright with a quick glance.

“Of course, Yunho, you know where your room is.” Father Yoon motioned to the door as they approached it, even though Yunho’s eyes were locked on the one before it. “San, your room is the one adjacent to us.”

San looked to where he pointed and smiled. “Thank you.”

“Of course. You boys have deserved a good rest. We’ll speak more this evening after some of the fatigue has worn off. Supper should be ready soon.” With a quick bow, Father Yoon turned and left them.

“Our things were brought up already,” San said as he turned to face Yunho. “Are you alright?”

“Yes.” Yunho swallowed thickly. “The news was just… a shock, is all.”

“I’m sure.” San gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll light candles for your friend later, okay?”

What more could candles do? Yunho already prayed for Mingi’s safety every night and it was obvious those prayers hadn’t been answered. The only thing left he could ask for was that whatever fate Mingi faced was quick and painless so his soul could rest.

But San was only trying to help in the way he knew best. Yunho nodded and reached up for his hand. “We’ll visit the adoration chapel after dinner then.”

San smiled. “Try to rest before then.” His hand slipped away as he made his way over to his room.

Yunho waited until he was behind the door before he turned around and marched to the room next to his. The door was unlocked, just as he thought it would be, and when he opened it, it creaked just like he remembered.

Yunho stood in Mingi’s room for the first time in what felt like ages. It seemed that the sisters had kept it clean since it was void of any dust and his bed was made a little too sharply for anything Mingi was capable of.

It didn’t feel like his room. It was too clean and orderly for who Mingi was. He was always picking up one project after the next; translating, transcribing, learning, illustrating. Since they were young, Mingi had always been the creative one. He was scolded often for daydreaming when he should have been paying attention. It was nice that as he got older they found a way to encourage that side of him while still having a place amongst the church.

He sat at the desk and stared at the few books neatly lined up in the corner. One of them had a page sticking out, so Yunho reached out and pulled the book out so he could adjust the page. With everything so perfect, it stood out in an uncomfortable way. He was just about to tuck it back in, but then stopped.

When he pulled it out, it was unevenly folded in half, possibly like it was shoved in between the pages in haste. He unfolded it and his stomach dropped. He could recognize Mingi’s artstyle anywhere, but the last thing he had expected was to see his own face. The drawing was simple, but no less impressive. Yunho couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment that Mingi had drawn from, and perhaps there wasn’t a specific memory that Mingi had used.

A small thud came from the door and he turned to see San standing there with two bowls in his hands. “Sister Mina said we should eat something before we wither away.”

Yunho snorted as he shut the book. “Sounds like her. We can eat in my room, it’s next door.” He folded the piece of paper and tucked it into his pants pocket as he stood.

He followed San out and made sure to shut the door securely behind him. “Did you kick the door to knock?”

“My hands are full.” San showed off the bowls once more as Yunho let him into his bedroom. “The rooms here are much cozier than the ones I grew up in. My old room was no bigger than a broom closet.”

“In the orphanage we were used to small spaces. We shared a room for most of our lives. When we moved in here, we were very excited to learn about how much space we had.” Yunho took one of the bowls from him and motioned for him to use his desk chair while he took a seat on his bed. The sisters would scold him if he got anything on his sheets, but it was the least of his worries.

San sat down and propped his feet up on the nearby trunk that Yunho had learned to keep empty besides a few dusty books. He had stopped collecting personal things after living a vagabond life. It rarely did him any good, so instead, he often brought Mingi trinkets if he found something he knew he would like.

After San led them in their small prayer, they ate in silence for a few moments, both enjoying the feeling of a warm meal that wasn’t roasted rabbit over a campfire. But after a while, Yunho felt San’s eyes on him.

“What is it?”

“Who is he?” San asked from across the room.

Yunho didn’t look up from his reflection in the bowl of stew. He could have pretended he didn’t know what he meant to avoid thinking of the dark things befell his friend. The spoon slipped in the bowl and the ripples muddied his view. His appetite was gone, so he set his bowl on his nightstand.

“We grew up together,” Yunho said after he was able to find his voice. “Both of us were orphans that were raised in the church. We were inseparable until we chose our specialties. He wasn’t built to be an exorcist, not like me. They decided he was better fit for parish life because he just has this zest for caring for people.”

“Do you think it’s possible that’s why he was targeted?”

No good deed goes unpunished. Mingi was kind, but not stupid. Often people thought his charity meant he was gullible, but that was often proved incorrect. Mingi’s benevolent nature only stayed that way as long as it was never crossed, but the moment it was, he left judgment in God’s hands and walked away from it.

“I don’t know. As far as I knew, he didn’t have any enemies.” Though, it had been some time since they exchanged letters. It was always Yunho sending them since he never stayed in one place for too long. Occasionally a note was snuck in with their orders, so there were obvious strings that Mingi had to pull in order for that to happen, but that certainly didn’t mean he was capable of plotting something menacing behind everyone’s backs.

“I meant that possibly he just tried to help the wrong people.”

“He normally can read people easily, but it’s possible.”

“Not as well as you, it seems.”

Yunho glanced up at him. “That’s different. I’m able to see evil within God’s creatures. It’s the whole reason I was picked as an exorcist in the first place.”

San pulled his feet off the trunk and planted them flat on the floor. “When did you discover that?”

“We were ten. A demon had wandered into the village with the intent to cause the parish harm. Mingi and I just happened to walk by during our daily chores when I noticed something off about them.”

“What’s it like? The exorcist sense.” San leaned in like an excited child hearing a heroic tale.

It wasn’t something Yunho talked about often, mostly because people rarely believed him. Exorcists were not popular amongst clergy members, but San showed a different kind of enthusiasm. He was a regional vicar who was tasked in helping Yunho in any way he needed. It was safer to do in pairs, but very rarely did people actually volunteer to work with an exorcist.

Yunho glanced down at palms and the black spots that had been burned in the center from past exorcisms. A mark of their sacrifice. “The smell is what hits you first. Their soul is rotting, so it smells just like that. And then, they lack a halo.”

“A halo?”

He nodded. “All souls carry a faint glow. Those who have sold their souls to evil do not.”

“Have you ever encountered something like that, and it wasn’t evil?”

“Once.” Yunho closed his hands together so he no longer had to look at them.

“What happened?”

San still carried a level of hope and love for the world, one Yunho had desperately been trying to hold onto for years. He prayed San could hold onto his for much longer.

“They burned her at the stake for loving a demon, who loved her as well.”

“How old were you?” San asked with a hint of caution in his voice.

“Fourteen. I tried to persuade them otherwise, but… I was apparently too young to know better.” He tried to shrug it off, just as he did then. Except, he had spent weeks trying to move on. And it took Mingi’s soothing voice to lull him to sleep every night, otherwise he’d lose hours to his memories. Looking back at it, he was still uncertain if he truly had let go.

“I’m sorry.”

Yunho looked up at him and almost asked why, but then again, what did it matter? It wouldn’t change anything that had happened in the past.

Then, San stood. “I’ll head to my room for a bit. I’m assuming Father Yoon will be calling for us soon.” He left with a wave, not waiting for Yunho to agree or disagree. After spending so much time together, even just a few minutes alone was precious.

San’s guess was right. They only got twenty minutes to themselves before a young seminarian knocked on their doors to ask for them to come to Father Yoon’s office. It was just enough time for Yunho to begin spiraling, so he was grateful that he was saved from himself, even if they were only going to talk about the very thing that sent him spiraling in the first place.

They were escorted in, but the young priest didn’t stay. He shut the door behind them to give them all the privacy they needed. It reminded Yunho of the first time he was brought to Father Yoon’s office. It looked the same as it did then, modest but with a large fireplace on the far end. Hanging on the mantle was a portrait of the Pope. Any time a new one was elected, a new portrait replaced the last. Next to the fireplace was his own personal altar. Purple velvet under a gold cross and white candles. It was ornate compared to the rest of the modest furniture in the room.

Yunho used to be afraid of his office. After it was discovered Yunho had the exorcist sense, they brought him before the priest. He was scared, alone and his life had just been turned upside down. They told him he’d be taken away for training, that God had called him for a higher purpose and he must obey. Mingi begged to go with him, but he was too kind and gentle for it.

If they had let him take Mingi away, maybe he’d still be safe.

“Did you eat well?” Father Yoon asked as he stood from his desk.

“We did, yes,” San answered.

“Please sit. We have a lot to discuss.”

Most of it was boring information. Background on the village, what the terrain was like; it was important but not necessarily the information that was going to help them in the long run. There were a total of six priests missing that spanned over several years, all but Mingi had ailing family members. Yunho thought back to Rowoon who had mentioned the priest from his village had gone missing after his mother had gotten sick. One of six, Kang Yeosang.

“The town has been growing in size recently. We believe they’re luring people in with false miracles,” Father Yoon said, pulling him from his thoughts.

“Are they luring priests in using their sick family members?” Yunho asked as he set down the paper that carried the information on Yeosang and picked up a map that had red circles scribbled on it, each one a place where a priest had gone missing from.

“No one knows. We know the town has a witch who proclaims they can use healing magic, so it is a very strong possibility. We also suspect they could be using them for some sacrificial purpose.”

Yunho’s eyes snapped up to Father Yoon. “That is a very serious accusation.”

“One I do not make lightly.” He stared Yunho down from across his desk, hands clasped politely while he held his head up high.

“So we rescue the priests if they’re still…” San cut himself off, not wanting to say the rest out loud. “What about the rest of the town?”

“Break the spell they’re under, if possible. We will take anyone in who sees the light. However, if they do not, they will need to be cleansed.”

Orange flames and pained screams echoed in Yunho’s ears, multiplied by the thought of everyone who lived in that village. “You can’t be suggesting we burn the entire village down?”

“Not you, personally. That would be too much for you to handle. If needed, you’ll send word and reinforcements will be sent to you.”

This didn’t feel like their average mission. It felt closer to a hostile takeover.

“May I see the official orders?” Yunho held out his hand. While he trusted Father Yoon, he also needed to be sure that what they were about to do came from the highest power, and not someone with a secret agenda.

Father Yoon didn’t move, only stared blankly at Yunho until it was obvious he wasn’t going to back down. In a power play of his own, he held out the scroll, letting the ornate Papal seal dangle off of it. There was just enough space between them that one of them would have to stand to reach it, but neither did.

San, who had still been standing, reached out and snatched the scroll from the older priest’s hand before he handed it over to Yunho.

“Thank you.” Yunho rolled it open while maintaining eye contact until it was time to read it. He skimmed it over, but found it was just as Father Yoon said. An execution order if all else failed. He let the scroll roll back up with a snap before he placed it on the desk. “We’ll leave first thing in the morning.”

“I believe that to be best. We can no longer afford to waste time when so many of our brothers have fallen to this plague.”

They left feeling just as heavy as they did when they arrived. Their questions remained unanswered and their nerves even more frayed. Silence took the space between them as they wandered back to their rooms. On the way to the village they would concoct their plan. It wasn’t a secret, but it was obvious that no one wanted to speak of what they were about to walk into.

San stopped in front of his room once they arrived. “I’m guessing it’ll be a while until we can sleep in a proper bed again.”

“Good point.” Yunho smiled. “Make sure to lock it, too. The kids will burst in at the crack of dawn and demand that you carry them to the breakfast table.”

“Why would they do that?” San cocked his eyebrow at him.

“Because you’re big and strong. They just want someone they can look up to.” Yunho squeezed his arm. Knowing the both of them, they would be up before the sun, anyway.

🦇

Just like Yunho suspected, they were awake before dawn. By the time the sun started to rise, they were lighting their candles in the chapel. They said their silent prayers and asked God to watch over them before they made their way down to the stables. They saddled their horses with sluggish limbs. Neither of them had slept much, but they were used to operating on little sleep.

“Boys!”

Yunho looked up when he saw Sister Mina teetering as quickly as she could down the path. San quickly stopped what he was doing and went to meet her at the end so he could offer her arm.

“What a good man.” She patted San’s arm and smiled. “You couldn’t leave without some goodies for the road. A loaf of my famous bread and a dozen of my jam cookies. You boys live off dehydrated meat and potatoes, so you deserve something a little fresher.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” San took the basket when she offered it, but not before she whacked him with it first.

“What did I tell you two? I’m not that old.” And she had yet to release San’s arm, but Yunho figured she was indulging while she could. She looked up at him with shiny eyes. “You two be safe, alright?”

“We will.” Yunho nodded.

She reached out and patted his cheek, just like she did the day he left to join the exorcists. “I’ll pray for you every night.”

“Thank you.” Yunho took her hand and kissed the back of it before he pressed his forehead to it. He let go and didn’t look at the face she was making, he wasn’t sure if he was strong enough for it.

San said his polite goodbyes and thanked her again for her kindness before he turned to mount his horse. She stayed in place as she watched them ride away, her hands clutching her rosary.

They rode through an empty village, but Yunho noticed as they passed by the orphanage a crowd of young faces was in the windows. They must have predicted that the kids would have tried to escape to see them and took precautions to lock them in. He waved at them and did his best to smile in hopes it would brighten their solemn faces. Some of the little ones rubbed their eyes, either from sleep or tears, Yunho couldn’t tell.

When they reached the hill just outside of the village, he stopped and turned his horse to look down at it. The sun cast it in an amber glow. Soon, everyone would be waking up to attend to their chores, to start their lives.

“Yunho? Are you okay?” San called out from a few feet ahead of him.

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine.”

Except he couldn’t shake the feeling he would never see his home again.

🦇

They knew they were getting close once they noticed the trees had changed. Green leaf canopies no longer hung over their heads. Instead, nasty tendrils of gray and dried branches were tangled together in a way that made it feel like they were going through a tunnel. The brambles were nothing but blankets of thorns and dead foliage that had been collected over time.

It was like being in a completely new world. Clouds hung heavy in the sky, ones that neither of them had seen on their way through the valley. They had made decent time traveling, and if San had calculated it right, they still should be in early afternoon. Sunlight tried to peek through the thick coverage, but that didn’t stop the disorientation of not knowing what time it was.

Mountains had kept the village in seclusion so there was no wonder why there was so much mystery wrapped up in it. They seemed a little more green than what the village had to offer, but there was enough distance that whatever affliction that the village carried didn’t seem to affect the pine trees.

Again, the last thing Yunho had expected when they arrived was a parade or a welcome committee. But the fact some of the villagers were ready with pitchforks the moment they made it out of the forest felt a little much. They stayed on their horses until they reached what looked like the town square.

There was a stone fountain in the middle of it, though there was no running water, just still water that had been collected from recent rainfalls. Small buildings that looked like they could be storefronts surrounded them, some stalls set up but void of any products to sell. Some areas had been paved while others left alone, as if they ran out of materials halfway through.

Once they dismounted, the curious crowd closed in on them but stayed a safe enough distance if their horses started to kick. They were all of various ages, though none of their faces seemed friendly. All dressed in worn black clothes, hoods pulled up as if they were preparing for the rain to start falling.

Before they could make their first inquiry on who to speak to, a voice came over the crowd.

“Visitors, welcome.”

The crowd parted for the men to step through, their heads bowed as if they were someone important. The taller one moved over the muddy ground like he was floating, but there was a sway in his hips under his black robes that Yunho tried to avoid looking at.

“My name is Seonghwa, and this is my assistant, Yeosang.” He motioned to the blond next to him, who stayed tucked behind Seonghwa just enough that only his eyes could be seen. In the corner of one of his eyes, Yunho noticed a splotch of red. At first, he thought it was a trick of the light because it couldn’t be Yeosang. It wouldn’t be that easy to find him.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw San glance over at him. Which didn’t go unnoticed by their hosts.

“It’s not often we get men of the cloth here.”

“But not unheard of?” Yunho asked.

Seonghwa smiled, cold and sharp. “What makes you think that?”

“We’re investigating the disappearance of young priests. We received word that they may have crossed through here.” Yunho watched as Yeosang pulled his hood up farther onto his head.

“Through here?” Seonghwa said with a surprised voice that Yunho couldn’t decipher as fake or not. “I’m sorry. We have so many travelers that come through here, we don’t always get the pleasure of learning their histories.”

“But you just said that priests don’t come through often. So wouldn’t that have made them more noticeable?” San asked.

“If priests traveled through here, they did not do it in their vestments. Perhaps they didn’t want to draw attention to themselves.” Seonghwa looked them both over. They didn’t look like typical priests, which made them stand out more. Their cassocks were fitted so their movement wouldn’t be constricted, but still allowed them to be identified as priests.

Yunho stared at him for a long moment. There was something off-putting about him, but it wasn’t evil. Heretics weren’t inherently evil, at least not to Yunho. He felt that if they minded their own business, why did it matter? But he learned to keep that opinion to himself after the third lashing he received from a nun.

“Who is in charge around here?” He questioned.

“Why do you want to know?”

“We would like to speak to them about this if that’s possible.”

Seonghwa opened his mouth to speak but stopped when he glanced above Yunho’s head. Yunho followed his gaze and saw a bat fly overhead before it found a place to hang upside down in the shadows of a nearby house.

It was an odd thing to get distracted by. Bats were incredibly common, especially since the weather had been warm lately. “Well?”

“At nightfall you can meet him. I’ll send word to his attendant to take you there.” Seonghwa motioned for Yeosang then nodded when they made eye contact. Yeosang turned away from them and disappeared into the crowd.

Yunho wanted to ask what it was about, but he had to take it one step at a time.“Do you have an inn where we could rent a room for the night? Or even an empty stall?”

“A night in a manger. How symbolic of you, Father,” Seonghwa chuckled. “We are large enough to have an inn, many find residence there while they wait for permanent housing to be built. I will make sure you are treated well.”

Yunho glanced at San, who shared the same face of unease. But they had few options.

“You won’t be held prisoner here,” Seonghwa said with another wave of his hand. “Your horses will be kept in the stables and will be at your full disposal.”

There was a moment of hesitation before Yunho offered the reins up to the villager who was waiting with open palms. He tried his best to smile at them, but he didn’t receive one back. It was what he had expected. Before their horses were taken away, they gathered the few bags they had and slugged them over their shoulders.

“We have a few shops here in town, they take most currencies or fair trade. You’re more than welcome to visit them while you’re here,” Seonghwa offered as they began to walk.

“We’re not here for a holiday, but we appreciate it,” San stated stiffly.

“That may be true. But shopkeepers tend to be the perfect source for information. Not that I can promise they’ll tell you any answers that you seek.” Seonghwa shrugged, showing no offense was taken from San’s blatant rejection. “Plus, you’ve come a long way, I’m sure you’ll need to replenish your provisions at some point.”

Yunho’s eyes scaled down Seonghwa’s slender back before he landed on an embroidered symbol between his shoulders. A silver hourglass stood out against the dark material, almost glittering like stars.

“That symbol on your coat, what is it from?” Yunho asked.

Seonghwa’s steps slowed as he glanced back at them over his shoulder. “It’s the symbol of my master’s house.”

“It’s very unique,” Yunho commented. Most houses chose something grand, like lions or dragons to show their strength against others. Even unicorns had the potential to maim an opponent with their horns. But what could an hourglass do?

“It’s been his family’s symbol for centuries. They say time passes differently in this village.” Seonghwa suddenly stopped and turned toward them. “I just realized how rude I’ve been. I never asked for your names.”

Yunho and San glanced at each other. It wasn’t uncommon for them to give out fake identities in dangerous situations, though, it seemed like lying wouldn’t win them any favors in a town that already didn’t trust them.

“I’m Father Jeong Yunho, and this is Reverend Choi San.”

Seonghwa’s eyebrow raised in curiosity. “A reverend? So not a true exorcist, then?”

“Not in title. But I’ve been with Father Yunho for several years, so I’m properly trained,” San said.

A small hum vibrated from Seonghwa as his gaze turned toward Yunho. “What an interesting pair.” He began to walk again without another word.

Yunho frowned at the thought, not understanding why that made them interesting. He had to skip to catch up to him, but he cleared his throat. “May I ask a question?”

“Of course, by all means.” Seonghwa didn’t look back at them this time, but they were shoulder to shoulder, so there was hardly a reason for it.

“How long has Yeosang been with you?” Yunho questioned. San shot him a stern glance from the other side of Seonghwa, but he ignored it.

“Oh, I don’t remember. It’s been some time now.” Seonghwa had an answer for everything else, but that he suddenly didn’t remember? “I’m incredibly thankful for him, though. He’s been a great help to me.”

“What’s your role here?”

“My role?” Seonghwa snickered as he covered his mouth with a delicate hand. “My, my. Is this an interrogation, Father?”

“Not unless it needs to be.”

Seonghwa hummed. “Well, I have many roles. I am what my master needs me to be.”

“The people seem to respect you a lot.”

“Something that must be earned. Lord Kim rules over us, but he allows us to govern ourselves how we see fit. I am the peoples’ voice because I have their best interests at heart, and Lord Kim trusts me.”

It seemed too perfect of a system, but Yunho figured he was already pushing his luck and let it go for the time being.

When they reached the inn, the first room they encountered was a small tavern. There were only a few people in it, and it was practically silent except for the clinking of silverware on plates and the gentle crackle of the fireplace.

An older woman came to greet them with a pleasant smile on her face until her eyes landed on the priests. “Hello, Mr. Park. What can I do for ya?”

“I need a room for our guests.” Seonghwa motioned to the two of them. “Do you have anything available?”

She looked them up and down, her gaze pausing on their weapons before she switched back to Seonghwa. “I do, but…”

“They are Lord Kim’s guests, please treat them kindly.” Seonghwa set some silver coins down on the counter, which made San quickly step forward.

“Please, we can pay you don’t have to do that.”

“Nonsense.” Seonghwa waved him off. “As I said, you’re Lord Kim’s guests, you’ll be treated as such.”

“Thank you,” Yunho said. It only seemed fair seeing how Seonghwa was the only one so far who seemed willing to give them the time of day.

“This evening you’ll be escorted to Lord Kim’s residence. Until then, use your time how you see fit.” Seonghwa gathered his robes in his hands as he made to leave the inn, but he barely made it to the door.

“Where should we wait for his attendant?” Yunho called out.

Seonghwa looked over his shoulder and smiled. “Don’t worry, he’ll find you.” And with that, he let the door shut behind him with a snap.

“Your room is on the second floor.” The innkeeper's voice brought him back. She set a key on the bartop that separated them. “Number eight.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” San gave his most charming smile as he took the key. It didn’t work. She turned away from him to return to the room she had come from. San's shoulders slumped in a puppy-like defeat but he shrugged his bag higher onto his shoulder and made his way toward the stairs.

The men sitting in the dining area hardly spared them a glance as they passed by, hunched over in their bowls as they did their best to continue to mind their own business. However, that still didn’t stop the feeling of eyes on their backs as they made their way up.

San unlocked the door for them, but locked it once they were in. Yunho dropped his things and immediately went to search the room for anything suspicious. It wouldn’t be the first time that someone attempted to curse them under the guise of hospitality.

He searched under the bed, under the mattress, inside drawers, and scanned the dents in the wooden furniture but turned up with nothing. “It’s clear.”

“Do you sense anything?” San asked, tension still tight in his voice.

Yunho shook his head. “No, but something feels off.” Every person he met had a light glow, even Seonghwa.

“I noticed something in front of one of the houses.” San set his pack down but didn’t move to sit. “Someone seemed to be making deliveries, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw an exchange of bottles. Only, it wasn’t milk being delivered. It was red.”

“Could it have been wine?” The village didn’t have the right ground to sustain a vineyard. Imports weren’t impossible to get ahold of, but it seemed odd for a village of that size and reputation to get it so easily. Especially when a lot of its inhabitants seemed in various states of health, it didn’t seem like something of great importance.

“It didn’t look like any wine I had ever seen, but it is possible.”

Yunho thought for a long moment. “Perhaps it’s medicine. Seonghwa said they get a lot of travelers and that many of them stay here while waiting for permanent housing. This could be a refugee village.”

“Why not just say that then?” San crossed his arms. “If that’s all it was, the church would surely be supportive of them, no?”

“In theory, perhaps. But they believe people are being lured into sin.”

San let out a defeated sigh. “God forbid something is done without the help of the church then it’s witchcraft.”

Yunho snorted. “That’s a little unlike you.”

With another sigh, a little softer than the last, San dropped his arms. “I believe in what we do. But the people who make the decisions on what we’re supposed to do… they’re not out here. They don’t see what we do so how are they supposed to know what’s best? Just cause they’re old?”

Normally, San was incredibly soft-spoken. He was polite and had the best poker face Yunho had ever seen. To hear that something like that was getting under his skin meant it must have been eating at him for some time. Yunho wondered what the line had been for him to think that way.

“It’s a good thing we’re their eyes and ears then, isn’t it?” Yunho clapped his hands on San’s shoulders, forcing his eyes up.

“But it’s only the two of us. And you saw the order, what if we’re wrong and we get a whole village killed?” San reached up and squeezed Yunho’s wrists.

“That won’t happen. Because we’re going to succeed.” Even if Yunho’s mouth dried with the same worry, he had to believe they would find the missing priests, and save those they could. Or disprove that anything sinister was happening in the village, despite the cold welcome they received.

“I hope you’re right.”

🦇

As they waited for nightfall, they decided to explore the town some. They kept away from the busier parts so they didn’t draw too much attention to themselves on the first day. However, that didn’t stop the pointed looks they got on the few occasions they did try to speak to the few townsfolk they ran into. Once again, they were left with no answer and only more questions.

Right as the sun was setting, they decided to stop by the river that was just on the other side of a thick bramble to get some privacy. Yunho skipped a rock across it in frustration.

“Looks like our charming faces can only get us so far this time,” he said with a frustrated grunt as he tossed another rock.

“Not everyone can be charmed like Sister Mina,” San chuckled as he kneeled at the edge of the river. “Still, being this cautious has allowed them to survive this long. Who knows what their past experiences have been.”

“You sound like you sympathize with them already.”

“I wouldn’t call it that. Especially if they are harming people. But sometimes context matters in places like this.” San rolled a few pebbles in his hand before he dropped them so he could dip his hand in the water to rinse the mud from his skin.

Yunho couldn’t argue against it, so he took a few steps back so he could lean against a tree. “It’s dark already, when do you think this guy’s attendant will show up?” The leaves rustled around them, but the breeze didn’t seem heavy enough for that level of noise. Birds?

San stood and wiped his wet hands on his cassock. “Maybe we should head back into town. It’ll be harder to find us all the way out here.”

“You must be the exorcists.”

Yunho jumped when he heard the voice above his head, his hand immediately reaching for his nearest weapon. He shuffled out of the way and a stranger jumped down from the tree. He dusted his hands off on his black robe and flicked a piece of his hair out of his eyes with a sharp twitch of his head. On his chest was an hourglass embroidered with silver thread, just like the one Seonghwa wore.

“My name is Wooyoung. I was sent to escort you to the castle,” Wooyoung smiled slyly. “I know this village like the back of my hand, and yet you were a challenge to hunt down.”

“Then, how did you find us?”

“Your scent.” Wooyoung tapped his nose, larger than most but possibly the most beautiful thing about his face besides his lips. “Priests always smell like incense, no matter how far away from home they are.”

“You have quite the sense of smell then. I know a few culinarians in the capital that would be jealous.” Yunho smiled.

“My master says I have the nose of a fox.” Wooyoung preened with pride.

That was one way to describe him. Mischievous and clever.

“I’ve met a few fox spirits.” He felt San’s eyes on him, piercing him with warning.

“Any that lived your encounters?”

“All of them. I have yet to meet one that was evil.” Yunho’s eyes fell to the ribbon wrapped around the man’s neck. It was wide enough that it covered a majority of it, even the prominent bump of his Adam’s apple.

Wooyoung pressed his lips together like he was trying to stop himself from smiling, but failed. “Come, my master doesn’t like waiting.” He turned and urged them to follow.

The road they took was paved messily with the same kind of brick from the town square. It wasn’t laid in any sort of pattern like most towns Yunho had been in. It just seemed to be laid into the ground in whatever way the broken bricks seemed to fit. The ground was a little uneven because of it, but at least they weren’t ankle-deep in mud. It was just wide enough for a small carriage to fit through on it, as long as it wasn’t too tall.

More tangled trees created a nearly perfect tunnel above them. When they reached the end of it, Yunho’s eyes widened when he discovered it was hiding a castle. Nowhere from the village had they been able to spot it. It wasn’t the largest he had ever seen, but it was big enough that he felt it should have been easy to spot from afar. Whoever owned it took a lot of effort to hide it.

Around it was what looked like what was a lake at one point, but there was no river or stream that let into it, so it lacked any water. A bridge stretched over it, and it looked surprisingly sturdy. It was the only way over the empty space around the castle, and it was exactly where they were headed.

Yunho paused for a moment to check if the lake was actually empty. There was barely enough water to reach his ankles if he were to stand in it when it looked like at one point, it was deep enough to reach past his head. It was as clear as stagnant water could be, calm and glistening in the silver moonlight. He couldn’t help but wonder why it remained empty.

“Come, little priest,” Wooyoung called. “There are no monsters for you to hunt in the water. Anymore.”

Yunho glanced at San, who didn’t seem thrilled at the implication that there could have been monsters in the lake at one point. They were exorcists, anything larger than a human-sized demon was a little beyond their expertise.

He pushed away from the edge of the bridge and continued to follow. Call it paranoia, but he made sure to make a special note of what he could see from the outside. Thick brick walls with dead vines that covered the few windows it had on the lowest level. The bushes and trees seemed well manicured, even though nothing was growing on them.

A high-pitched clicking came from over their heads, and when he looked up, he noticed two bats flying toward the highest tower at the top of the castle.

“Do you have a large bat population here?” Yunho asked.

Wooyoung spun around and looked at him before he followed his gaze up. “It’s not large. But we have a few. You’re very observant.” When Yunho tilted his head in confusion, Wooyoung smiled. “Not many people notice a few rouge bats here and there. It must be your trained eye.” He tapped under his own eye before he turned and continued across the bridge.

The main doors were large, but not ridiculously so like he had seen on some castles. It looked tall enough that carriages could ride in easily, but not so tall that it needed a team to pull them open. However, they didn’t go through them. Instead, Wooyoung brought them through a smaller side door that looked like it served as a servants’ entrance. It brought them into a small foyer that was lined with cabinets and coat racks.

“I’m sorry, but before you come in any further, I’ll have to ask for any weapons you have.” Wooyoung held his hands out, waiting for them to give in with no questions.

“May we ask why?” San narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

“To be frank, we have not always had the best experiences when priests come to our town. You’ll have to excuse our caution,” Wooyoung said with an urging pulse of his hands. “Especially exorcists.”

Yunho bit the inside of his cheek. There was nothing in the reports they received that stated exorcists had come before them. Perhaps for a different problem? But that still seemed like something worth mentioning if the village had been repeatedly investigated.

Still, they were at the mercy of their hosts and they had to play along. With a tiny nod, he and San handed over their weapons. Wooyoung handled them with care as he placed them inside a large wardrobe. When Yunho thought he was done, he turned, but kept the door open behind him.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to ask for any and all exorcist weapons.” He held his hands out once more.

Yunho glanced at the silver stake that dangled like a charm off his hip. Few knew what it actually was, but the way Wooyoung eyed it with disgust told him all he needed to know.

Instead of emptying out every compartment, Yunho undid the buckle on his belt and held the entire thing out for Wooyoung. “Better?”

“Much.” He turned and placed it inside the cabinet as well before glancing back at San. “You’re more than welcome to keep your items, but then I cannot allow you to pass the next door.”

San’s jaw clenched with tension. If he refused, that meant Yunho would go in alone, and that went against everything he believed in. He handed his belt over as well but made his displeasure known when he let out an annoyed grunt when Wooyoung thanked him.

The cabinet door shut, and Wooyoung locked it with a key he had attached to a ring. There were several others on it, all different shapes and sizes in various states of wear. He attached it to his belt loop and then turned back toward them.

“I have one more request. If you could keep your rosaries and crosses tucked away during your visit, that would make things more pleasant.”

Yunho frowned. “Pleasant for who?”

“My master believes all faiths should be respected, so if his could be respected in return, it would be appreciated,” Wooyoung smiled, but it wasn’t the sweet mischievous one they had received earlier. It was slimy and cold, a silent warning that Yunho didn’t know how to interpret. “You can still wear them, just, tuck them in, if you can.” Their hesitation made him sigh, his shoulders slumping. “Please. It’s not common for him to agree to meet strangers.”

If they wanted answers, they had to play by their rules. Yunho reached up and pulled his collar out so he could slip his rosary underneath his shirt. The beads were cold and scratchy against his skin, but it was a mild irritation he hoped would pay off.

San did the same, once again only moving when Yunho did. The kindness returned to Wooyoung’s smile and that let Yunho believe he was being genuine in his concern to make it a pleasant experience for everyone.

“Follow me.” Wooyoung took the ring of keys once more and unlocked the large wooden door that led them out of the foyer. Once they were passed the threshold, he locked it once again before he took his place in front of them.

Their boots echoed on the wooden floors as they passed portraits of what Yunho assumed were previous inhabitants of the castle. He didn’t spend too much time looking at them, because if he did, it would only feed the delusion that their eyes followed him as he moved. They made it through several similar hallways that acted like a maze before they were eventually brought into a room.

“This is my master’s study, we figured it was more comfortable than some of the more formal meeting rooms,” Wooyoung said as he shut the door behind them. He didn’t lock it, but Yunho couldn’t help but feel trapped inside it.

The walls were lined with large bookshelves, all filled to the brim with books of every size and color imaginable. There was a second floor balcony that overlooked the main area and it contained more bookshelves. At the end of the balcony, there was a closed door. If there was any spare wall space, it was filled with more paintings in ornate frames. They lacked any human subjects, however. Flowers, buildings, sunrises; all things that could easily be found if they were to wander beyond the castle’s lake. It looked well-used but clean and cozy.

“Please wait here while I fetch him. You’re more than welcome to sit.” Wooyoung gestured to the small seating arrangement that was centered in the middle of the room. When they made no motion to take a seat, he gave an annoyed huff. “Or stand. Whichever you prefer.” His politeness seemed to have a limit, and it appeared that they had found it.

He turned quickly and made his way up the stairs, stomping with heavy footfalls that they could still hear until the door snapped shut on its squeaky hinges behind him.

Yunho waited a moment before he let out a breath. “Prickly little thing, isn’t he?” He looked at San, who was staring intently at the walls. “What is it?”

“There are no windows.” San pointed out. “I saw some, but the further we got into the castle, the less I noticed.”

“It is an old building. Not uncommon, I think.” However, that could have been the delusions speaking. The candles flickered and cast a warm glow over the room, though it did little to actually comfort him. “The archives in the capital are the same way.”

“Those are below ground.”

Yunho understood what San was trying to tell him, and it was practically the same warning that Rowoon had given them. Nothing was as it seemed.

“Welcome.”

Yunho and San turned toward the voice that echoed from the top of the stairs. They hadn’t heard the door open or close, which seemed impossible seeing how noisy it had been during Wooyoung’s exit. The man’s hand delicately held the banister as he made his way down the stairs. Wooyoung appeared behind him once he started to descend, but instead of following, he stayed at the top and watched them.

“I apologize for making you wait until evening. I just find myself more alive when the sun goes down.” He smiled and it only unnerved Yunho. “My name is Kim Hongjoong.”

Once he was on the same level as them, Yunho couldn’t help but note how petite he was. He dressed much nicer than most of the villagers they had met, but the black fabric looked faded with time. Gold tassels hung off his shoulders and gold trim lined his military style-jacket. He didn’t look like he belonged to their era.

In the corner of his eye, he saw San’s hand flinch for a weapon that wasn’t there.

“It’s no problem,” Yunho said, trying his best to sound polite. “It allowed us to explore your lovely village. I’m Father Jeong Yunho and this is Reverend Choi San.”

“An exorcist who knows how to flatter. You really must be after something.” Hongjoong motioned to the seating arrangement, just as Wooyoung had done earlier, only this time, he didn’t offer them a choice. “But I appreciate it, nonetheless. I hear you’re in search of some missing priests.”

Yunho and San took the chairs that were across the small coffee table, while Hongjoong took his place in the middle of a loveseat. He made a small wave of his hand, and when Yunho glanced up, Wooyoung had disappeared from the balcony.

“That’s right.”

“What does my village have to do with this?”

“We have information that makes us believe they were brought here.” The door behind them opened and San jumped to look at what it was.

Wooyoung came in with a gold tray that held two teapots and three cups. He brought it over and set it on the table between them. A cup was placed in front of all of them, delicately thin with gold trim around the edges. The tea he poured for San and Yunho came from one teapot, while the one he poured for Hongjoong, the other.

There was hardly a chance to see what the difference was since Wooyoung quickly snatched it up and offered it to Hongjoong before taking his place behind him.

“Here?” Hongjoong sounded shocked as he leaned back. “Normally when we have clergymen passing through it makes a big stir. I would have heard about it.”

“We don’t believe they came willingly. We believe they’re victims of targeted kidnapping.” Yunho watched as Hongjoong choked on his tea.

“I don’t tolerate that sort of thing here.” He shook his head as he wiped the spilled drop on the back of his hand. Red.

Yunho’s heart quickened when he realized.

He’s not human.

His eyes darted up to Wooyoung, taking note of the glow around his body. It was faint, but it was there. He went back to Hongjoong and strained his eyes to see it, but there was nothing.

Hongjoong must have caught him looking. He glanced back at Wooyoung and smiled. “He’s very protective of me, if you couldn’t tell.”

Yunho gave a polite smile back. “It seems most people in this town are.”

Hongjoong’s eyes traveled over him, stopping when he reached Yunho’s face. “You’re different from other priests I’ve met before.”

The hair on the back of Yunho’s neck stood. It was something he had heard his entire life, and yet, when it left Hongjoong’s lips, it felt different.

“Do you meet priests often?” San asked. He was brave enough to try the tea, but his manners always got the best of him.

It didn’t break Hongjoong’s focus on Yunho. “Not as often as I used to. However, you’re not the first priests who have poked their noses in my business.”

“And yet you know well enough to ask for our weapons at the door. So it seems that you’ve learned some lessons.” Yunho felt frozen, his joints locked any time he even tried to lift a finger.

“Time brings lots of lessons.” Hongjoong’s eyes never pulled away from Yunho, even as San spoke up.

“These other priests who poked their noses in your business, what about them?”

“Gone with whatever breeze they came in on.” Hongjoong shrugged as he leaned forward to set his empty teacup back on the table.

“What about Yeosang?” Yunho glanced down at the cup, noting the color the porcelain had been stained.

“What about him?” There was a bite in Wooyoung’s tone when he answered instead of Hongjoong. But the lord held up a hand to signal peace and he settled back down.

“He matches a description of one of the priests who went missing. Just wanted to see what you knew.”

“You should talk to him yourself about that, then. From what I’ve heard he’s lovely and helps Seonghwa out a tremendous amount. I unfortunately haven’t had the pleasure of spending much time with him.”

They were talking in circles and it was obvious that Hongjoong was trying to seem helpful while keeping them at arm’s length.

“I’m sorry, I wish I could help you more,” Hongjoong sighed. “You’re more than welcome to stay as long as you need. All I ask of you is to not disturb the residents of my town. We like to keep a certain peace here.”

“Is that why we were met with pitchforks?” Yunho asked with little finesse. San elbowed him, but Hongjoong just chuckled.

“I never denied our flair for theatrics.”

They were getting nowhere, and Yunho was tired of it. He smacked his palms onto his knees and pushed himself up. Wooyoung stood a little straighter as if he was preparing for Yunho to lunge.

“We won’t take up any more of your time then.” San stood when Yunho did. He sounded nervous at the abrupt end of their conversation. “We appreciate you speaking with us.”

“Of course, it was my pleasure.” Hongjoong remained seated, his fingers threaded together over his crossed legs. “I hope your investigation is fruitful. If you think of any other questions, please let Seonghwa know and he’ll get the message to me. Wooyoung will give you your things back on your way out.”

Just as they were about to exit, Yunho stopped by Hongjoong’s side. “I just have one last question. The most recent priest who went missing is named Song Mingi. Has he been here?”

Something in Hongjoong’s features hardened. “Like I said, I don’t keep people here against their will.”

That wasn’t what he asked, and they both knew it.

🦇

“This seems like the dumbest thing we’ve ever done.”

“I’m pretty sure we’ve done worse,” Yunho said with a nonchalant shrug. “Wooyoung said there’s nothing in the water, so it should be safe to go through.”

“No, he said there’s no monsters in the water. Who knows what else could be in there? Still waters can hold a lot of dangerous things,” San grumbled.

“It’s not even high enough for anything to swim in it.” Yunho pointed out. “Crossing the bridge will be too obvious.”

“Yeah, and so will trailing muddy footprints through the castle.” San crossed his arms over his muscular chest and raised an expecting eyebrow.

Yunho hated to admit that he made a fair point. They had hammered out the plans for their mission in hushed whispers back at the inn, so the sudden change of plans was frustrating, but it seemed warranted.

“Fine. But stay low, and keep your eyes on the windows. We’ll jump down to the grate from there.”

“Deal.”

The bridge wasn’t very tall, and they couldn’t use the shadows of night since the sun was still hardly up. They had debated heavily at one point to search the castle. If Hongjoong was more “alive” at night, then it would make sense to do it during the day, but if Wooyoung could move around during both times, it was hard to guess what they would walk into.

They could take their chances with Wooyoung, who was still human. Hongjoong, however…

It was easy enough to cross the bridge. No enchantments, no boobytraps, it felt too easy. They bypassed the door they had come through and slid down the edge to where the grate was. Yunho was prepared to hammer away at the edges until it popped open, but he was surprised to find that it looked like it had been recently repaired and he was able to lift it away with ease.

Odd.

They slowly made their way through the damp tunnels until they found a surprisingly unlocked door. For someone who had been so paranoid about them bringing in weapons he certainly didn’t think about other security measures.

The room they ended up in looked like a kitchen. There was a large fireplace in the center of the room, though it looked like it hadn’t been lit in ages. A large table was in the center of the room, but it also looked like it hadn’t seen any sort of use, either.

It may have been foolish to split up in such a large castle, especially one they had spent very little time in. In their line of work, there was strength in numbers. However, with so much ground to cover, it was easier to go their separate ways. But not before San took Yunho’s hand and whispered, “God be with you.”

San took the lower floors while Yunho climbed the stairs to reach the higher ones. The wood floors made it hard to keep their presence a secret, but luckily they had trained to keep their steps light.

The castle was surprisingly quiet. It couldn’t only be Hongjoong and Wooyoung living in it, could it? It seemed like such a waste to have something so large remain so empty. It seemed well maintained despite that. Most of the rooms he entered all looked the same. Either a bedroom or some kind of study. The furniture was neat but most had the thinnest layer of dust over them. Yunho did his best to not touch anything, just in case it was obvious.

One thing he noticed was that the higher he got, the fewer paintings he saw. It was like after a certain point, they had given up trying to decorate knowing most people wouldn’t go past a certain floor. The furniture is covered in white sheets, left undisturbed like old ghosts.

At some point, he stopped opening doors.

He made his way to the final door at the highest point he could get, and was surprised to find that it led him up to what looked like could have been a bell tower at one point. There was no longer a bell above his head, but it left a platform behind that let him step out into fresh air.

Yunho’s breath caught as he looked out over the landscape in front of him. The clouds hovered above the village but broke apart once it reached beyond the forest. The sun had set while he had been inside investigating, and he found himself craving a little bit of its warmth as the cold evening chill sank into his bones. A gentle breeze kissed his skin, and while he thought of retreating to a slightly warmer space to continue his search, he stayed for just a moment longer to appreciate the scenic view.

Even if it was dreary, there was still an odd beauty to it.

Something fluttered in the air and he quickly ducked back into the stairwell when it grew louder. He peeked over the edge of the wall the best he could, only to see it was another bat flying into the cover of the tower. It landed on the ground, barely out of Yunho’s sight. He frowned. Why would a bat land on the ground instead of up high?

Just as he leaned up, a hefty sigh was carried over the air. Where the bat landed, a man stood up. His back was turned to Yunho, but already there was something unnerving about him.

He sighed again, not as burdened as the last as he reached up and ruffled his dark hair. On one of his fingers was a gold ring, an hourglass taking up the full length between his knuckles. He inhaled, then stopped abruptly. His head tilted back as he appeared to be sniffing the air.

The moment he turned, Yunho’s stomach dropped.

Mingi, his best friend who he was losing hope of finding, was there in front of him. But it wasn’t the same man he knew. His once golden skin was pallid and lifeless, but Yunho could still spot the same moles on his jaw that he used to poke when he got bored in seminary. It was still his full lips and his strong brow ridge

Yunho slowly stood on the stairs, catching his full attention. His eyes widened with surprise.

“Yunho… It’s true… You’re really here…”

“You’re not him…” Yunho shook his head. “What have you done with him?”

“No, it is me. Let me explain.” That didn’t stop Mingi from taking a step back when Yunho took a step forward.

“You’re a demon and you’ve stolen the face of someone I love.” Yunho yanked the stake at his hip free and pressed on the trigger, extending it to its full length.

“Yunho, it’s me! It’s Mingi!”

“In the Name of Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, strengthened by the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God.” Yunho’s voice shook as he watched Mingi lurch, his hands coming to cover his ears. “God arises; His enemies are scattered and those who hate Him flee before Him.”

Before he can finish the full prayer, he’s caught off guard when something slams full force into the pillar next to him. Even through the shock of slamming his head into the bricks, he managed to spin the spike up toward his attacker. The tip of it was only an inch away from piercing through the delicate flesh of Hongjoong’s jaw, undeterred by his fierce snarling and sharp teeth.

“Hongjoong! Stop it!” Mingi stood on shaky legs.

“He threatened you! I can’t allow that, no matter who it is!”

“You did this to him!” Yunho tried to shove against Hongjoong, but his strength was not something easy to conquer.

“I saved him! It was your people who did this to him!”

“They didn’t turn him into a vampire!”

It nearly burned his tongue to say it. But after what he saw, there was no possible way to deny it.

“Tell him, Mingi,” Hongjoong sneered.

“It will break his heart, I can’t.”

“Do it, or I will.”

The threat was enough to get Mingi to stammer as he searched for the right words. “I…. I discovered that Father Yoon was siphoning money out of the church…”

Yunho’s stomach threatened to heave. He shook his head even as words failed him.

“We had such a hard year… Our crops were failing, people were sick… I couldn’t stand by and watch it happen. I confronted him. He denied it, of course. He told me not to worry about any of that. I didn’t believe him, so I planned to go above him but…”

“They poisoned him.” Hongjoong cut in.

“You’re lying,” Yunho hissed.

“He managed to get out, and he followed his instincts here.”

“Why didn’t they just say he passed then? Wouldn’t that have been easier?”

“They have an agenda, can’t you see that?! It’s easy to blame our village for the disappearance of another priest. That way no one goes digging into their dirty deeds. They’re projecting their sins onto us and calling us their enemy!” Hongjoong shouted. “You weren’t meant to find anything left of him, and when you didn’t, they were going to rely on your rage and heartbreak to fuel the execution of my people!”

Yunho’s whole world was spinning and Hongjoong was the only thing keeping him upright.

“Hongjoong, let him go,” Mingi ordered.

It was pity that made him ask, he deemed that Yunho was in no state to attack him, and that thought only made him angrier. Too weak and distraught to be considered a threat. But Mingi wasn’t cruel like that. Or, that’s how Yunho hoped he remained.

Weren’t vampires supposed to be cruel? Blood-thirsty and self-serving creatures of the night. That’s what he had always been taught, so why had he been confronted by one who was determined to save a cursed town and another who carried the caring face of his best friend?

Hongjoong’s nostrils flared with frustration, but he pulled back and let Yunho crumple to the ground. The stake hit the bricks and echoed in the tower, a mockery of the grand sound that once rang from there.

There he was, on his knees before them both. His limbs were numb as he tried to find them. Was this some vampire magic? Or was it his own body’s betrayal?

“Some exorcists have the ability to see souls, correct?”

Yunho debated on answering, but he found himself nodding without looking up at him. If Hongjoong was asking, that meant he already knew about Yunho’s ability so there was no point in hiding.

“Then what do you see when you look at yourself in the mirror? What color is your soul? It’s still there, isn’t it? Despite all the blood that you’ve spilled.” Hongjoong pointed a finger at him, sharper than any blade. “I was given a gift, Yunho. No different than you. We both want to help people and we’re treated as pariahs. All because we were created differently.”

But Mingi was created perfectly. And now…

He found the strength to look up at Mingi. Was there a glow? Or was it the trick of the light?

Mingi stepped forward and offered Yunho his hands. He stared at his palms for a long moment, beautiful and smooth, clean of any imperfections. For a moment, he thought of taking it, but even through the leather of his gloves, he thought it would be too much of a risk. He wanted to touch him, just for the simple satisfaction of knowing he was real.

In the end, he couldn’t.

When he picked up his stake, Hongjoong flinched, but stayed back at Mingi’s insistence. Yunho collapsed it and placed it back on his hip before he stood on shaky legs. Immediately, Hongjoong was in between them.

“I’m letting you go, exorcist. Be thankful that Mingi is merciful, and that my affection for him is that great. Otherwise, I would have your head.” Hongjoong shoved him toward the stairs. “Collect your companion on the way out. He’s somewhere on the third floor, you should hope to find him before Wooyoung does.”

Yunho caught himself against the wall, and he stayed pressed against the cold stones as he debated with himself. He couldn’t stand the thought of leaving Mingi again, especially not with Hongjoong. But what choice did he have?

He stumbled down the stairwell, down each staircase without any grace. It was no wonder he met San somewhere in the middle with his weapon drawn.

“Yunho, what happened?”

“We need to leave.” He took San’s hand and dragged him out despite his many protests.

They left through the front door, and crossed the bridge without any of the caution they came with. Yunho wondered if Mingi was watching them from the tower.

The inn is empty when they stumble back in. They didn’t care about the trail of mud they left through the dining hall and up the stairs on their way to their room. Yunho didn’t let go of San’s hand until they were behind the door, and only then, did he let go so he could lock it before he crumbled to the ground.

“Yunho, what in hell’s name happened back there?” San didn’t move to help him off the ground, just stared in wide-eyed horror as Yunho slowly lifted his head to look at him.

“I was right…”

“About what?” San kneeled in front of him but still didn’t try to touch him.

“Hongjoong isn’t human… and neither is Mingi…”

“What do you mean?”

Yunho’s head hit the door with a thump. “They’re vampires…”

🦇

By the time San had gathered Yunho off the ground and coaxed him into explaining what had happened, the sun had started to rise. The clouds muted its warmth, but it was a welcome change after spending so much time in the gloom.

San helped Yunho undress from his muddy clothes and into bed. “Rest, for now.” He stroked Yunho’s hair in an attempt to soothe him. “Any decision we make now will be the result of haste and nothing good will come out of it.”

Even if he wanted to act on it, Yunho’s body felt like it was filled with lead. Sleep was the last thing he thought he’d be able to find, but San’s soft voice lured him to it like a siren leading him out to sea.

The last thing he heard was the prayer San was whispering.

🦇

When Yunho woke up, it was to an empty room. San was a grown man who had fought plenty of demons, he didn’t need Yunho’s protection. But that didn’t stop some of the panic that caused his heart to start racing.

He got out of bed and found his cassock had been cleaned and neatly folded, while any mud had been wiped from his boots. He glanced out the small window to try and get some idea of what time during the day it was, but the clouds had returned to cover the promise of any sunlight.

However, there was noise that was finding its way up to him. Nothing to cause alarm, but it still made him move quickly to get dressed so he could rush downstairs to see what was happening. In his hurry, he forgot the white band of his collar but by the time he realized it, it was more of a hassle to run back up the stairs to get it.

It wasn’t like the village cared, anyway.

He wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when he walked out. The village was alive for once as he made his way down the streets. His best guess to find San was to follow the crowds.

At the fountain, there was a carriage that most of the people were gathered in front of. They looked like they were lined up for something, but whatever it was, it was covered by eager townsfolk and a small awning.

“Yunho!” Followed by a sharp whistle.

He turned and saw San leaning against a nearby wall a few feet away, more than likely to observe from a safe distance. It took a bit to get to him, only because he had to step around people who stopped to glare at him.

“What’s going on?”

“Wooyoung arrived with the carriage an hour ago. Yeosang came and greeted him first, and then the town physician, Jongho. Next thing I knew, the crowd formed.” San had his arms crossed, eyes still fixed on the people in front of them.

“Supplies maybe?”

“The best kind.”

Both of them jumped away before they realized it was Seonghwa who was standing next to them. There was a bright smile on his face, innocent of the fright he just caused them.

“Come, I’d like to show you. Though, if you find yourself wanting to participate, I ask you to wait so our regulars can get theirs first.” Seonghwa adjusted his wide-brimmed hat before he stepped into the sunlight.

San and Yunho shared a look but followed.

“Today you get to see the miracle of blood transfusion. It’s what everyone comes to us for.” Seonghwa led them around the crowd to the carriage. Around it were crates with glass bottles filled with red blood. They were the same ones that they had seen on the first day they had arrived. He stopped and looked back at them, in a whisper, he asked, “you know what they are, correct?”

“Yes,” Yunho whispered back. “We discovered it last night.”

“Good. Now, watch.”

Jongho took a syringe and drew the blood into the tube until it was filled. He gave it a small squirt before he took the arm of the older woman in front of him. With a calming smile, he pushed it into her vein and slowly pushed the blood until it was all gone. Yeosang stepped in and took the syringe while Jongho bandaged her up.

“Why did he do that?” San asked in disbelief.

“Vampire blood has healing qualities that I cannot recreate even with my best of remedies. It heals things we can’t even see yet. But it can be incredibly addictive so it has to be handled with care,” Seonghwa spoke under his breath, just so the two of them could hear.

“Does… Does Mingi also give his blood?” Yunho didn’t look away as Jongho stuck his next patient.

He can tell Seonghwa is smiling when he speaks again. “He does. Father Song has insisted on it since the beginning. He says he found refuge here so he feels like he should pay us back.”

“So,” San interrupted. “Does everyone here get a shot?”

“Not everyone.” Seonghwa shook his head. “Like I said, it can be highly addictive, so Jongho controls who gets what and when. These people are travelers. Those who have come to us as a last reach for salvation.”

“What do you expect in return?”

“Nothing much. If they decide to remain for a while, we ask for what they can give. Whether it’s a skill, or money, whatever they feel is fitting.” Seonghwa shrugged.

“And if they have nothing to give?”

“Everyone has a place here, and with a place; a purpose,” Seonghwa explained. “Everyone contributes and everyone benefits. People are afraid of what we have here because it challenges every idea of what a society should be. Hongjoong rules over us, but not with fear. People follow him because we believe in him.”

“But you… consume his blood.”

“Do you not consume the blood and flesh of Christ every Sunday?”

Yunho wanted to argue that a cracker and some wine was not the same as drinking actual blood, no matter how convincing a priest argued it took the place of the real thing. But he understood Seonghwa’s point.

“Blood ministers have been a part of this town’s history for ages. Jongho was trained from infancy, and he’ll pass it on to the next.”

“If people keep coming, aren’t you afraid of getting overwhelmed?”

“Our village adapts. It’s what’s allowed us to survive as long as we have. Yeosang is learning from Jongho, and I’ve learned some of the basics, so in a pinch, we will survive.”

“You could be called a cult.”

Seonghwa shrugged. “We don’t concern ourselves with the opinions of outsiders. They don’t govern us.”

That wasn’t how laws worked, but Yunho digressed.

“And we have the little ones to look after.” A group of children ran in front of them, Seonghwa reached down and snatched up a little girl who giggled and kicked her little feet. “Even though they are determined to make us look bad in front of guests! Jia, where are your shoes and why are you set on running around looking like a ragamuffin!”

He sat her on his hip as he grabbed her ankle and shook it. She burst with enough laughter that she fell back and Seonghwa had to adjust his hold on her so she didn’t fall. It was the last thing Yunho expected to see. Seonghwa had seemed so cold during their first few meetings, but the warmth of the soft smile on his lips mimicked the smallest ray of sunlight peeking through a cloudy day.

Seonghwa set her down after one last scolding and watched her run off to chase the others. He dusted his hands off but grimaced when he noticed the smudge of mud on his robes. “I want them to be children but can they do it without making a mess of me as well?”

“I’m surprised this town even has children,” Yunho said.

“Because of our reputation?” Seonghwa looked up at him with an unamused smirk. “We don’t turn people away, even children. We have an orphanage here for them but don’t worry, they are well taken care of.”

“Where do they come from?” Yunho thought of how drab their orphanage was, how lonely it would have been if he hadn’t had Mingi to get him through.

“Here, there, anywhere.” Seonghwa shrugged. “Jia came to us in a traveling caravan. Her mother had been burned at the stake for simply being an unmarried mother. Got swept up in a witch hunt, unfortunately.”

“I hear that there have been more of them without proper authority or investigation through the church,” Yunho stated as they started to walk again around the crowd.

“Your profession is a dying art, I’m afraid. There are less and less every year to sanction those kinds of investigations. But then again, they seem to be more of a human problem than the supernatural.” Seonghwa clasped his hands behind his back as they walked, elongating his stature.

“What do you think this place is? A human problem or a supernatural problem?”

Seonghwa snorted. “Neither. No one likes what we do. Humans do not trust that there is a power outside of God that can heal. Vampires do not like that their secrets are being shared. But all we want to do is give a chance to those that society forgets.”

“So,” San interrupted. “You don’t consider it a problem at all?”

“It’s not a problem for us here. The only time it becomes troublesome is when others get involved and refuse to understand what we’re trying to achieve here.”

“Then why are you telling us?” San asked a little too loudly. “It’s been made very clear that we’re outsiders, that we’re enemies even. So why go through this trouble to try to convince us?”

Seonghwa stared at him for a long minute before he cast his gaze at Yunho. “Something tells me that you’re not like the others.”

It wasn’t the first time that Yunho had heard that. Even amongst exorcists, there seemed something that separated him from the others. Mingi had always said it was his empathy, but that had always been viewed as a weakness in the eyes of the church.

Demons didn’t deserve empathy.

Something rattled and he turned to catch Yeosang walking by with a crate of vials, setting them down next to Jongho before he started to walk away again. “Excuse me for a moment.” He didn’t wait for San or Seonghwa to answer before he broke away from them. “Yeosang, may I speak to you in private for a moment ?”

Yeosang startled, but remained silent as he turned toward him. He glanced at Seonghwa briefly, and only when he received a nod of approval did he agree to follow him with a nod of his own. They didn’t go far, just barely out of earshot of all the commotion. That didn’t stop the witch’s protective gaze from following them, however.

“How can I help you?” Yeosang asked with his hands clasped politely in front of him, just as Seonghwa held his.

“I met someone from your town, Rowoon.”

Yeosang’s eyes widened. “You did? How was he?”

“Good. He’s an exorcist now. We met him at a supply convoy. He spoke about you.”

“Did… did he mention my mother at all?” Yeosang kept his eyes low, heavy with a burdened shame.

“He did. Apparently, she passed away shortly after your disappearance. I’m… I’m sorry for your loss.”

Yeosang’s lip trembled as he made the sign of the cross over himself. “Thank you. I hope it was peaceful for her. I wish I could have seen her once more before she went to God’s side.” He blinked away the glaze that threatened to turn into tears.

“Why didn’t you?” It didn’t seem like he was being held hostage at all. Unless he was bewitched into thinking he had a choice.

“If I went back and they discovered I had come here looking for a cure for my mother, they would have killed me.” He looked up at Yunho and his stern gaze nearly startled him. “You know that.”

“You came willingly?” Yunho’s eyebrows raised. “What about the other priests?”

Yeosang shrugged. “Hopefully off to live fruitful lives. I came willingly in search of a cure to help my mother. The others came with the purpose of curing us. Hongjoong was kind and allowed them to go.”

“Do you know what danger you’ve put this whole town in? By not coming forward and announcing that you’re alive, it has put a target on the backs of every person here,” Yunho retorted. “We wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

“And if that was the case, you would not have seen Mingi again.”

Numbness fell over Yunho’s body like a waterfall. “How do you know about that?”

A satisfied smirk tugged at the corner of Yeosang’s lips. It felt like a threat, but Yunho didn’t know what kind. “We’re men of God. I found that the path He had planned for me led me here, and I am grateful for it. I feel like I’m doing something good here. He believes in the same thing.”

“At the expense of those you love?”

Yeosang’s features softened, and it made Yunho more uncomfortable than before. He could tell it was pity that rested in his eyes. “My mother was bound for heaven soon anyway. Everyone else would move on, just as I have here. I’m a part of something here, something bigger than myself.”

Yunho focused on him. His halo was bright and warm, like the first Sun of summer after a cold spring. “May I ask you something?”

Yeosang smiled. “Do you really need to ask permission after everything we just spoke about?”

That was true, he supposed. “Do you still believe in God?”

His eyes widened just a fraction. Apparently, it was not what he was expecting. There was a brief moment of silence as he debated his answer, but then he inhaled deeply. “I do. Because I see his workings here, in this village. You can believe in multiple things at once. I believe in God, but I also believe in Lord Kim.”

It only left Yunho with disappointment. He thought that hearing his answer would lead to one of his own. But, their situations were different no matter which way he looked at it.

“Thank you, I appreciate your honesty.”

Yeosang reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. “A place like this is confusing when you first come. But things aren’t shrouded in shadow like they may seem.” He gave him a reassuring squeeze before pulling away. “May God be with you in your journey.”

Yunho nodded. “And with you.”

He watched Yeosang walk away to rejoin the crowd. San and Seonghwa were still standing where he could see, but neither of them noticed that the conversation had ended. Seonghwa’s hand rested on San’s bicep as he laughed at something he said.

An urge began to build, and without thinking, he let it free. “Seonghwa.”

The witch looked at him in surprise as he approached them. “Yes?”

“Can you get a message to Mingi?”

Seonghwa tilted his head. “And what would that be?”

“I need to talk to him. Alone.”

🦇

Yunho glanced around the abandoned chapel. It was blanketed in browning leaves and old ivy had made home in the cracks between the bricks. If there had been glass in the window frames, they had long been ground back into sand. Nature had tried its best to reclaim what once belonged to it. It made sense why Mingi had picked this place to meet.

He sat in one of the pews once he was certain it wouldn’t break from underneath him. To make sure he didn’t accidentally start a fire, he kicked some of the leaves out of the way before he set his lantern on the ground.

The flame flickered and the pale glow danced on the brick walls. He leaned over and waved his hand in front of it. The shadow grew when he stretched his fingers and shrank when he balled his fist. It felt silly so he pulled his hand away and sat back.

“Do you remember the star lantern we had as kids?”

Yunho turned to see Mingi slowly making his way over to him. “The one that was taken from us by Sister Matilda ‘cause she thought it was a tool of witchcraft?”

“I don’t know why she couldn’t understand it was just light coming through a dome with stars cut into it,” Mingi teased as he stopped next to Yunho’s pew.

“I would have stolen it back for you if I could have. I’m still in disbelief that she went as far as breaking it in front of us,” Yunho sighed. “She was a bitch.”

Mingi covered his mouth to stifle his laugh. “Yunho, you’re a priest!”

“Yeah, well, God is the only one I’ll have to answer to at the end of all it and I’d like to think he’d agree with me.” He patted the space next to him on the bench as an invitation.

Mingi hesitated for a moment but eventually came to sit. “Are you enjoying your stay?”

“It’s a fascinating little place, I’ll give it that.” It wasn’t a committed answer, but it was the only one he could give. “What if your place amongst it all?”

“I help where I can.” Mingi shrugged. “I’m trying to learn everything that I can.”

“That’s very much like you,” Yunho said with a breathy chuckle. “What does Hongjoong get out of all this?”

“What do you mean?”

“He gives up part of himself, quite a bit of himself actually, he must get something in return.”

Mingi chuckled. “You don’t know Hongjoong very well. He believes in this. He wants to create a place where everyone is equal and is safe. He wants to fight for the marginalized.”

“Yet he’s the only one here who lives in a castle.”

“That is a fair observation. However, during the months with harsher weather, he does allow those to take shelter within it. He wants those outside of the walls to foster a sense of community, it’s why the town hardly sees him.”

“How does he know his wishes are being enforced?”

“Because he trusts us, and we trust in him. He’s an idealist, Yunho.”

“Idealists can be dangerous.”

“Jesus was one. Look at all the good he’s done.”

“And they killed him for it.”

Mingi hesitated for a moment before he replied. “Hongjoong is not a bad person, Yunho.”

There was a time when Yunho would have blindly believed anything Mingi said, but he had seen too much of the dark corners of the world to be able to. Mingi had been a beacon of light his whole life, and Yunho felt he was staring at the base of a lighthouse, begging for the light to turn on and cease being an empty shell of what it once was.

“Then why have people gone missing? He’s murdering them, Mingi.”

“You know that’s not true. He allowed them to stay, just as he’s allowed you to, to let them understand. But they threatened the village and instead of killing them, he wiped their memories and sent them on their way. ” Mingi reached out and took his hand. It was cold and stiff and Yunho almost pulled away from it in shock. He turned Yunho’s palm up and gazed at the black mark in the center. With his thumb, he gently caressed the edge of it, light enough that it almost tickled.

“Where they have ended up, I don’t know. But you found Yeosang. You found me.”

“And look at what you’ve become.” He stared at their hands. The weight of it was real, it was the same as when they were children and Mingi clung to him after a nightmare. Mingi was no longer an innocent child, no longer a memory that Yunho could taint with his dirty hands.

“Am I not the same? Can’t you feel that it’s me?”

Yunho took a steadying breath. If he said out loud that he didn’t feel any evil in Mingi’s soul, that meant that everything he had ever been taught was a lie. His halo was gone, but that didn’t make his glow any less radiant.

“Do you believe in him?” The words stuck in his mouth like sap.

“Yes, as much as I still believe in God. As much as I believe in you.”

“How… How can you still believe in God when a priest tried to have you killed?”

“Because Father Yoon acted on his own selfish desires, he serves only himself. However, I forgave him. Because if he hadn’t done what he did, then I might not have ended up here. And we wouldn’t have been united.”

“I always come back for you.” There were years in between, but Yunho wanted to make the world a safe place for Mingi to live in. His smile alone brightened his entire life, and now it would never see the light of day again.

“I missed you.”

Yunho looked up at him in surprise.

“I prayed you would come back every day. I got scolded a lot for sitting at the door like a wife waiting for her husband to return from war.” Mingi chuckled nervously as he looked down at their feet. “I realize that maybe it was selfish of me. And even now, when I have so much, I am still praying for more.”

“What is it that you want?”

“For one, I would prefer if you and Hongjoong got along,” Mingi said with a cheeky raise of his eyebrow. “Secondly, I would like you to understand each other. I think once you get past the vampire thing, you’ll find that you two have a lot in common.”

“You know it’s incredibly unfair of you to use my inability to tell you no against me.”

Mingi laughed, wide and toothy. Yunho caught a glimpse of his fangs and for a moment, it made him sad. But then, if Mingi didn’t have them, that meant he wouldn’t be there with him. Yunho could have found a decaying corpse instead of his best friend.

“Are you happy?” Yunho asked.

“I was.” When Yunho frowned, Mingi shook his head. “But I’m happier now that you’re here. Now that I know you’re okay.”

“I’m sorry that… I reacted the way I did when I found out.”

“You reacted better than I thought you would.” Mingi’s chuckle made Yunho tilt his head. “Take no offense to this, but you always were on the dramatic side.”

“I am not!” Yunho shoved him playfully with his elbow. “You always came up with some extravagant plot that I had to go along with so we didn’t get caught!”

“Nothing has changed then, has it?” Mingi smirked.

Yunho’s cheeks flushed with heat but he tried to play it off by leaning in, hoping that if he got closer, Mingi wouldn’t be able to focus on it. “Speak for yourself. I’m not the one that got turned into a vampire and then moved in with the vampire lord who turned me.”

“Wasn’t it Sister Mina who said I needed more adventure in my life?”

Yunho doubted that she had meant for them to go through what they were.

He was so lost in the details of Mingi’s face that he forgot to answer him. So when Mingi shifted closer, it startled him.

“May I kiss you?” Mingi’s eyes were already on his lips.

“In front of God?” Yunho chuckled lightly as he leaned in. As a human, Mingi had always been charming, but now that he was this, he was magnetic.

“I think after all things, kissing you would be the least sinful thing I’ve ever done.”

Yunho didn’t get a chance to question what he meant. Their lips sealed any thought he had away in the dark tomb of his mind. However, he thought he understood. The innocence of their kiss was the holiest thing he had ever done. He had spent his life defending humanity against the evils of the world, yet none of it compared to the sheer amount of love in that single moment.

Mingi’s cold hand cupped his cheek, his long fingers brushing against the shell of his ear.

His spirit was willing, his body was weak, and the temptation was sweet.

🦇

He knew the invitation back to the castle came from Mingi’s insistence. While his disdain for Hongjoong had lessened some, he wasn’t entirely sure that Hongjoong’s anger had calmed any. However, the dinner invitation didn’t feel like a threat until San pointed out that perhaps they were asking him to be their dinner.

That unnerved him slightly, but not enough to tell Wooyoung no before sending him back to the castle.

“You’re insane,” San said from where he lay on his side, propped up by his elbow while he watched Yunho adjust his cassock for the millionth time.

“Mingi has already proven once he’s not going to let Hongjoong eat me,” Yunho said with a tinge of annoyance. “He wants us to see eye to eye, that’s all.”

“I cannot think of one time where seeing eye to eye with a vampire has worked out.” San held one finger up before dropping his hand back down.

“And how have your evenings with Seonghwa been, hm?” Yunho glanced at him in the mirror.

San scoffed and looked away. “He’s not a vampire.”

“But he is a witch.” Yunho smirked as he came to sit on the edge of the bed, making San wiggle back to make room for him. “I must admit, I don’t always know if I’m making the right decisions here.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m never one to deny that my faith has always been tumultuous. But here, I feel everything I’ve ever been taught is wrong. The things that have kept me going all these years are no longer working and I feel… Lost.”

San pushed himself up to sit and Yunho glanced back. “God doesn’t always speak to us clearly. Maybe this is a test that you need to overcome. Or perhaps, you feel lost because this is where you’re meant to be and you’re fighting it.”

“To do what? If I go back knowing what I know…” He shook his head. It was impossible to voice out loud without setting off the suppressed panic that had settled deep in his chest.

“Maybe we’re not meant to go back.” San didn’t look up when he said it. Instead, he stared at his hands in his lap, turning the ring on his finger.

“We made a vow.” Yunho’s voice lacked any sort of conviction.

“We made a vow to look after God’s people. Are these people here not His children as well? We’ve gotten an order to kill them. How is that looking after them?” San sounded angry, but he was doing well to contain it.

Yunho couldn’t help but smile. “You’ve been hanging out with Seonghwa too much.”

San snorted. “I like listening to him talk. At first, I thought we had differing perspectives, but I’ve learned we believe in a lot of the same things.”

“I’m glad you’ve found decent company here while I’ve been…” Yunho stood and waved his hands through the air to try to encapsulate the mess he had been going through over the past few days.

“You know, I was thinking about how we suspected this job was going to be hard, dangerous even. And for me, it’s probably been one of the easiest ones I’ve ever been on. But you..” San trailed off.

“It’s true. I feel just as exhausted trying to make sense out of all of this as I do fighting demons.” He deemed that it was useless to keep staring at the mirror and he stepped away. “I should get going. Do I look okay?”

“You look like a piece of Heaven,” San teased as he waved him off. “Go, go.”

Yunho made it to the door, but San made a small ‘ah’ that stopped him.

“Are you not taking your weapons?” San asked as he stood.

“No point if Wooyoung takes them from me.” Yunho shrugged. If he was being honest, he felt like he didn’t need it. Villagers still looked at him oddly, but he wasn’t afraid they were going to skewer him on pitchforks anymore. It was a tremendous amount of progress for only a few days.

“What about your rosary?”

It was already tucked beneath his clothes, the chill of the beds had long since faded with the influence of his body heat. He reached up and set his hand over it and pressed it hard enough to leave little dents in his skin.

“Just in case, you know?” He smiled weakly over his shoulder.

San smiled back. “Of course. Be safe.”

As Yunho walked down the stairs, he realized that San didn’t say, “God be with you.”

🦇

His journey to the castle was nothing special. The evening had just begun so there was a hint of the day’s warmth that lingered in the air. There were no bats or sly fox-boys to lead him across the bridge, but Wooyoung did meet him at the same servant’s entrance in the front. It was nice to just walk through instead of climbing through a sewer grate this time.

Wooyoung brought him up a few flights of stairs before he stopped. “Can you find it on your own? It’s just there at the end of the hall, I need to get back down to the kitchen before anything burns.”

“I can do that.”

“Can I trust you?” Wooyoung pointed an accusatory finger at him. “You’re not going to snoop again?”

“I promise.” Yunho placed a hand over his chest and held the other up to show his oath.

Wooyoung glared at him, but he let out a satisfied hum. “Alright. Go on, the door should be open so you’ll know which one.” He lifted his robes so that when he dashed down the stairs, he wouldn’t trip.

Yunho stayed in the hall for just a moment longer to collect his nerves. He said a tiny prayer before he started down the hall.

He was about to step around the corner when he heard laughter, deep and rumbling like distant thunder. It was such a beautiful sound that it stopped him in his tracks. There was a tumble of footsteps, then more laughter, only higher pitched. Hongjoong’s.

Silently, he peeked around the corner. Mingi and Hongjoong stood on opposite sides of the large dining table, palms pressed to the surface as they stayed hunched, ready to lunge at each other. Yunho couldn’t see Hongjoong’s face, but Mingi’s carried a confident smirk he hadn’t seen since they stole apples from a neighboring orchard and got away with it.

He watched as Mingi twitched as if he was going to run to his left, which in turn made Hongjoong jolt with sudden awareness. Time almost slowed as they stilled; two hunters sizing each other up before they pounced.

Mingi made a quick dash and Hongjoong chased after him. They moved in a blur around the table and Yunho had to blink a few times to make sure it wasn’t a trick his eyes were playing on him. The muddled shapes of their bodies darted back and forth a few times until finally, they ran into each other.

Hongjoong scooped Mingi up as if he was made of feathers and Mingi threw his head back in laughter, a hand coming up to try to stifle it.

“You’re getting faster, my little raven. But still not faster than me.” Hongjoong beamed up at him with pride. He opened his hold on Mingi just enough to allow him to slide back down to his feet, but Mingi stayed in his embrace.

“Maybe I wanted to get caught.” Mingi cupped Hongjoong’s face delicately, like it was as fragile as a baby bird. The kiss was sweet but different than his own with Mingi. There was a familiarity to the way their lips fell into place, practiced and ceremonial.

It was a radiating beauty that Yunho had to pull away from otherwise it would burn him.

He reached up and pressed his palm over his heart. His eyes slipped closed as he prayed for its beat to steady, otherwise it would expose him. Jealousy crept up on him, but not where he expected it to. Mingi’s admiration for the older vampire was starting to grow on him, he knew that, as much as he didn’t want to admit it. But to the point where his heart fluttered at the mere thought of how soft his lips looked? Impossible.

“Yunho?”

He jumped when Mingi’s voice was suddenly in his ear. When he opened his eyes again, Mingi was leaning in the doorway.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, sorry I…” He never lied to Mingi, maybe occasionally lessened the blow of a harsh truth by omitting certain details, but never lied. He wasn’t about to start. “I saw you two and I thought you needed a moment.”

Mingi smirked. “Now, Father, were you spying on us?”

“I- I didn’t mean to.” He put his hands up in defense, but Mingi took one and pulled him in.

“It’s okay. We heard you coming up the stairs. If we didn’t want you to see, we would have stopped.” Mingi turned and smiled sweetly at him. He didn’t let go of his hand and while he wanted to melt into it, he had to stop himself when he noticed Hongjoong watching them. For a brief moment, he thought about pulling away, even if he knew it would disappoint Mingi.

There was something between them, but Yunho couldn’t quite discern what it was.

“Come, sit.” Hongjoong motioned to the table and Yunho was hit by a wave of deja vu.

“I noticed that most tables in the castle are round,” Yunho observed out loud. “An interesting design choice.”

“A round table allows everyone seated at it to be equals.” Hongjoong’s voice made Yunho flinch. He hadn’t realized that he had been so lost in thought.

“That’s a nice sentiment. I didn’t think you entertained enough to consider something like that.” Yunho looked at the seat that Hongjoong offered him and mumbled a small thank you as he sat down.

“I don’t. But it was passed down by those before me.” Hongjoong patted his shoulder, then as he walked away, he dragged it across his back. It made Yunho stand up straight as a board. He looked when he heard what he thought was Hongjoong giggling, but decided that it must have been his imagination.

Hongjoong went around the table and pulled out one chair, but then pulled out a second, which is the one he decided to sit in.

“I hope you still like venison, Hongjoong went out and caught it fresh just for you,” Mingi said as he sat in the other chair that Hongjoong had pulled out.

“The lord of the town hunted for me, I feel honored.” Some of Yunho’s composure had returned, but it was incredibly rocky.

“It was nothing, really.” Hongjoong shook his head. “It’s nothing I wouldn’t do for anyone else here.”

“Still, it doesn’t look like your lands are well-suited for wild game. I’m assuming you had to travel far for it.”

“The base of the mountain is kind to us. And with the river running nearby, that also gives us an advantage.” Hongjoong reached out and placed a hand on top of Mingi’s, his thumb sweetly brushing against his knuckles.

Yunho caught it, his eyes zeroing in on it like a hawk. Mingi’s fist tensed, but Hongjoong held onto it sternly. It wasn’t so much a challenge but a refusal to hide. He thought back to his kiss with Mingi and suddenly grew nervous that Hongjoong might be upset about it.

As if he could read his thoughts, Hongjoong smiled. “You can ease your worries, Father. I know how much you both mean to each other, I’m not here to take that away from you.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.” Yunho blinked as he tried to play it off that he was read so easily.

“I mean that I have no strength in denying Mingi what he wants.”

Yunho wanted to question it more, but the doors opened and Wooyoung walked in with a gold platter. Immediately the smell of cooked, seasoned meat hit Yunho’s nose. His mouth watered and he swallowed to try to hide it, but he caught Mingi smiling gleefully at him from the other side of the table.

Wooyoung set the platter down in front of him but then took the pitcher that had been on the corner of it and carried it around to Hongjoong and Mingi. He poured it into their golden goblets, and even though Yunho couldn’t see what it was, he could only guess.

“Thank you, Wooyoung,” Hongjoong said with a tilt of his head toward him. “You can have the rest of the evening to yourself.”

With a hesitant glance toward Yunho, he whispered, “are you sure?”

“We’re quite safe, don’t worry.” Hongjoong returned his gaze to Yunho.

It was a fair assumption. He had already proven that he was stronger and faster than Yunho, and since Yunho came unarmed, he really didn’t stand a chance. He had knowingly walked into the lion’s den and accepted whatever fate that would come to him.

“Alright, goodnight.” Wooyoung bowed to both Hongjoong and Mingi. At first, it seemed like he was going to ignore Yunho completely, but he stopped and gave a curt nod of his head before disappearing the way he came.

Yunho cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, I guess I don’t know how it works for you. Do you not eat?”

“We are, don’t worry.” Hongjoong reached forward and took his goblet, showing it off before taking a drink.

“Ah, I see.”

“Don’t be polite for our sake,” Mingi encouraged with a tilt of his chin in the direction of Yunho’s food. “Please, eat. I know that the inn’s food is actually quite good, but nothing compares to Wooyoung’s cooking, I promise.”

He picked up his silverware and carefully cut into the meat until a small enough piece practically melted away. They were right, it was the tastiest thing he had ever tried and he had to stop himself from shoving more immediately into his mouth.

“You don’t pray before you eat?” Hongjoong inquired.

Embarrassment caused Yunho’s cheeks to flush with heat. “Oh, I… I thought it would be rude to do in front of you.” San normally led them in prayer before meals, always brief and to the point. He hadn’t even realized.

“That’s very thoughtful, thank you,” Mingi said. “Please, continue.”

Yunho nodded but noticed that Mingi hadn’t reached for his cup yet. He gave it a quick glance, which was just enough for him to catch on.

“If we hunt, we like to use all parts of the animal,” Mingi informed him. “We’ll give the spare parts to villagers that need them. However, I still struggle with the taste of animal blood.”

“I hope it’s not invasive to ask, but how do you two feed? Are you able to provide for each other?” Yunho wasn’t sure if his stomach could handle the topic while eating, but he tried his best.

“Unfortunately, no. Our blood is poison to each other. A little taste here and there isn’t deadly, but it can’t sustain us,” Hongjoong stated. “Animal blood is like a snack for us, we can live off of it, but we would need it more often.”

“So, then who…?”

“Wooyoung.”

Yunho’s eyes widened. “For both of you? How does he not get sick from it?”

“Seonghwa’s mastery of herbology helps keep him from illness. We also only take what we need and nothing more. But, it was also what he was born for. It’s quite literally in his blood.”

“What do you mean?”

Hongjoong smiled. “So curious, Father.” When Yunho tried to apologize, Hongjoong waved him off. “Not everyone in this village has come from elsewhere. Some are native. Wooyoung and Jongho’s families have been serving vampire lords for decades, passing down their skills through the generations. Seonghwa came with his family as a child and never left.”

Yunho nodded, but then it left him with a different question. “Mingi mentioned that you spared the priests who threatened the village. Why?”

“I wanted to grant them a mercy that we would not be given. I want to show that we are better here.” Hongjoong’s smile faded as he turned more serious. “Those with power struggle to imagine what sharing it would be like. They believe those below them are lesser than; humans are to die one day, so why bother helping the ones who are nearly there?”

“Why do you?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do.”

Yunho glanced at Mingi. He was looking at Hongjoong as if light itself came from him. Then, he turned and smiled at Yunho as if to say See? I told you so. Yunho’s lips quirked as they threatened to pull into a smile, but he quickly schooled his face.

His next question had sat heavily on his tongue for some time, but he was never sure when the right time was to ask. But, with both of them in front of him, he figured there was no better time and place for it. “How did you two meet?”

Mingi shifted uncomfortably in his seat for a moment until a gentle squeeze of Hongjoong’s hand made him settle. “I knew that I was going to be part of the missionaries sent here if they received approval. I took it upon myself to come on my own a few times.”

“Why would you do that?” Yunho’s brow furrowed.

“I thought that if I could establish a relationship on my own, they would be more receptive when more of us came.” Mingi looked at Hongjoong and smiled softly. “I guess a priest poking his nose in town business was enough to catch his attention.”

“Apparently, nosey priests are my type,” Hongjoong chuckled.

“He used to get scolded for that a lot when he was younger,” Yunho said after swallowing another bite. “They told him his curiosity was going to get him into trouble one day, and that he was going to drag me into it.”

“Were they wrong?” Mingi smirked.

Yunho snorted before he looked at Hongjoong. “He was always in trouble for something.”

“I don’t believe it, this sweet face?” Hongjoong reached up and pinched Mingi’s cheek. “Though, don’t they say it’s always the innocent ones?”

“It was only troublesome until I was good enough for them to exploit.” Mingi playfully nipped at Hongjoong’s hand. “Then it was Mingi, translate this bible passage for us, or, Father Song, draw this map for us.”

“You did draw the best maps.” Yunho pointed at him with his fork before he took another bite.

“It’s a shame that he wasn’t able to bring any of his art with him. I would have loved to see it.” Hongjoong’s hand returned to the table, palm up and waiting. Mingi slipped his hand into his without being asked.

Yunho placed a hand over his mouth so he could speak politely despite not finishing chewing. “You’ve never seen his art?”

Hongjoong shook his head. “He has a sketchbook here, but he says he’s struggling to find inspiration.”

“I…” Yunho hesitated, which gave him a moment to swallow. He looked at Mingi as he spoke, looking for permission. “I have a drawing of his.”

Mingi’s eyes widened. “You do?”

“I… I visited your room briefly. It was poking out of a book I found.” He reached down into his pocket and pulled out the folded piece of paper that had remained there his entire journey. “I thought that if you had… you know, that maybe this was the last piece of you that I could have.”

He stood up and pushed the paper across the table as far as he could. Mingi got up and reached out to grab it. He fell back into his chair and gently unfolded the square, a fond smile breaking out across his face.

“I drew this because I hadn’t heard from you in several months. I missed you, but no one would tell me where you were.” The shadow of Mingi’s thumb tracing the drawing’s face was visible even across the table.

“I won’t let it happen again,” Yunho said with a foolish certainty. But it kept the smile on Mingi’s face sincere and that’s all he cared about.

“Good.” Mingi tilted the paper so Hongjoong could see as well.

The corner of his mouth tugged into a smile. “You’re very good. Maybe now you’ll find more inspiration.”

Mingi’s eyes twinkled for a brief moment before he blinked, wiping away the shine from his eyes. He cleared his throat and looked at Yunho. “May I keep this?”

“Please, it’s your drawing, so by all means.”

“Thank you.” Mingi folded the piece of paper back up before he slid it into the breast pocket inside his coat. “I’m sorry, we’re keeping you from eating.”

“No, not at all.” Yunho shook his head. “In fact, I think I’ve had plenty. Wooyoung was very gracious in the portion he gave me.”

“I think he’s used to Seonghwa who can eat an entire elk on his own,” Hongjoong chuckled. “He has quite an impressive stomach. But you did well in comparison.”

Mingi’s chair scraped on the floor as he pushed it back so he could stand. “Why don’t I clear the table of the dishes, then I can bring up something sweet for you?”

“Oh no, please don’t go out of your way,” Yunho insisted as he stood as well.

“Please,” Mingi scoffed. “I know Wooyoung left something in the kitchen for you. You may be used to living off the land when you’re traveling, but you’re in our home now.” He collected the dishes onto the tray with a coy smile. If Yunho had to guess, it was that Mingi liked being able to be the boss of him for once.

“I’m sorry, I should have thought about this before I sent Wooyoung home.” Hongjoong tilted his head back as he apologized.

“Don’t worry about it. You two behave while I’m gone.” Mingi winked playfully at Hongjoong, who rolled his eyes. Then, he looked at Yunho and smiled before he left the room.

Yunho couldn’t help but smile back as he stared at the door he disappeared through, not noticing the smug look on Hongjoong’s face.

“Has he always been so persistent about things like that?”

He snapped his attention to Hongjoong, who had pushed back from the table a bit so he could comfortably cross his legs. “Yes. He likes being useful,” he said as he sat back down.

“I’ve noticed. It’s something I admire about him the most.”

Yunho shifted uncomfortably. “I need to ask… You’re giving people your blood out of kindness. But you have the ability to make them immortal. Why not turn them so you don’t have to drain yourself as much?”

“Ah, a loophole, I’m afraid,” Hongjoong huffed. “I will only be able to turn a few individuals in my lifetime. Vampires carry a venom that can be released during transformation, however, it doesn’t replenish. It’s hard to say how much I have, so I have to use it sparingly.”

“If the church knew that, they may not be as afraid of vampire uprisings,” Yunho remarked.

“Possibly. But each vampire is different. I may be capable of, say, three transformations, but others may be capable of more.” Hongjoong shrugged all the way down to his hands, his fingers spreading out before falling casually back into his lap.

“So why Minigi?”

“Because I love him,” Hongjoong declared.

At the same time, relief and heartache washed over him. Mingi deserved to be loved and doted on, and it killed Yunho that it couldn’t be him to do it. He was perfect to be an exorcist. He had little to hold him back, but just enough to keep him fighting. Mingi was stronger, and immortal; he didn’t need Yunho to look after him anymore.

“T-that’s good. I’m glad to hear it.” He looked down at his hands, at the black spots that tainted his skin.

“I knew that one day you would come.”

Yunho looked back up at him. “Pardon?”

Hongjoong leaned forward on his elbows, his pretty lips pinched in sadness. “The way Mingi talked about you… I knew that when you found out he was missing, you’d come to find him. I’ve made peace with the idea of you being in his life.”

“How did you know I wouldn’t kill him?”

“Because you love him too.”

Hearing it out loud made ice run through his veins.

Be safe.

I’ll be back soon.

Wait for me.

I love you, I love you, I love you.

“I shouldn’t.”

“Who says? God?” Hongjoong knew the answer, he was the type to know his enemy. “God is a welcomed guest in my village, but I will not plague my people with His unjust teachings. You are free to love who you choose.”

“No wonder the church says everyone here is a heretic.” Yunho let out a dry laugh, but Hongjoong’s expression stayed incredibly serious.

“How can I love who I choose to but not preach the same thing to those who look up to me? The church is filled with hypocrites. They preach tolerance and kindness but look at all the innocent lives they’ve hurt.”

That left Yunho at a loss for words for a moment. “I have to admit that I’ve thought that before. It’s one of the things I struggle with the most.”

“Never be afraid to voice your thoughts here.”

He looked up at Hongjoong and found his soft eyes. “Sometimes the ideas you have here sound too good to be true.”

“They sometimes are. And I know that one day, they could be easily taken. So I want to live them to the fullest while I can.” Hongjoong smiled at him.

The door opened and ended their moment. Mingi swept in with a singular plate in his hand, a small smirk on his lips.

“I believe despite his complaints, Wooyoung was trying to make a good impression.” Mingi set the plate down in front of Yunho. “A honey cake, just like we used to eat when we were young.”

Yunho glanced at the cake, taking in the golden sponge with a delicate white frosting. It looked like the ones they ate as kids, a delicate indulgence for holidays and the occasional. “It’ll be hard to beat Sister Mina’s.”

“Your answer is secret with me,” Mingi chuckled. He reached for the fork and sunk it into the cake, pulling a piece off before he offered it to Yunho.

He glanced at Hongjoong, who watched them with intense curiosity, but Yunho couldn’t find any discouragement. So he opened his mouth and let his tongue peek out like he was taking communion. Mingi’s breath hitched, but he placed the bite into Yunho’s mouth. It was sweet, but not overly. It was good. The frosting coated his teeth that even a swipe of his tongue couldn’t wipe away.

“Well?” Mingi asked as he placed the fork down.

“It’s really good. Have you tried it?”

“No, we can’t eat human food,” Mingi said sadly. “I was able to enjoy his cooking for a brief moment, but not since.”

The bravery that washed over him came from nowhere. Yunho turned in his seat so he was fully facing Mingi, though Hongjoong’s gaze nearly bore holes into the side of his face.

“Would you like to try?”

Mingi’s eyes widened when he understood what he meant. He glanced back at Hongjoong, but Yunho didn’t see his reaction, but it must have been good. Mingi leaned down and cupped his cheeks before he captured Yunho in a kiss.

Yunho’s lips parted and allowed his tongue into his mouth. He moaned into it, not even meaning to do so, but there was little point in hiding how it made him feel. Mingi licked and licked, even after he was certain there was nothing left for him. Yunho placed his hands on his hips as his head was tilted back further. When his head made a gentle thump against the back of it, he cracked an eye open.

Hongjoong sat across them, looking calm behind his goblet. The only indication of his excitement Yunho got from him was when he noticed the white-knuckle grip he had on his cup. So he closed his eyes again and pushed up into Mingi’s mouth.

If he was going to fall from grace, let him do it in love.

🦇

Yunho felt it in the back of his brain like a tug on a thread. He’d wander to the abandoned church knowing he’d find Mingi already waiting for him. All he would have to do was reach his hands out and Yunho would find himself between his palms. Fingers tangled into his hair as their lips pressed together, innocent curiosity turned to desperation, but it never went any farther.

The guilt would eat at him even if Hongjoong had given them his blessing. When it got to be too much, he’d pull away but not far enough to escape Mingi’s hold. Mingi always let him go with the silent promise he was always welcomed back when he was ready. He had had months to adjust to his new found freedom away from the church’s prying eyes.

With time, Yunho was certain he’d grow used to it as well, if he stayed.

One evening, Yunho found himself alone in the church after a series of unexpected events It hadn’t been his intention to lead a small sermon that afternoon, but Yeosang had pulled him aside and asked him if he would. He had done it a few times himself, but he expressed he thought that it would be important for the town to have a new face. Initially, he wanted to say no, but there was something in the Yeosang’s big brown eyes that made Yunho struggle to disagree. In the end, he said yes.

Yunho had his suspicions about his reasoning, though he didn’t suspect ill intentions behind it. It was only a small group of people who met him at the church, San, Yeosang and Seonghwa included. He was surprised to find the witch there, but he would never turn anyone away.

He didn’t know how to lead a sermon, and neither did San. Mingi would have been the better choice, but he knew that was no longer possible. So, he gathered his bible and sat with the few villagers who came. He arranged them in a circle so they could all look at each other, equal in their worship. San, Yeosang and Seonghwa sat just outside of it, observing like they were testing him.

“I won’t pretend I know how to lead, however, I will try my best to ease any worries you have.”

And one by one, they revealed their struggles. He read passages that he thought could help provide wisdom, held their hands as he prayed with them. At one point, he caught San grinning up at him while Seonghwa whispered in his ear. He quickly turned away when he felt the heat in his cheeks.

They had no communion of wine and bread, but he still took everyone by the hands and made the sign of the cross over their foreheads. When he thought it was done, he was surprised to find another pair of delicate hands slipping into his.

“You did a good thing today, Father.”

He smiled up at Seonghwa. “I almost didn’t. But your assistant has a knack for persuasion.”

Seonghwa glanced back at where Yeosang and San stood together. “That he does. I have yet to figure out what it is, though.”

“I was surprised you came.” When Seonghwa looked back at him with a raised brow, he cleared his throat. “I mean, I didn’t think you were a believer.”

“I’m not in the way you are. I never denied the existence of your god. In fact, I don’t deny the existence of any. I simply dislike the idea that the god of the majority should be allowed to rule over all,” Seonghwa asserted.

“If you’re taking his confession, I’m afraid you’ll be here all night,” Yeosang’s voice interrupted them as he sauntered up to them.

“The only thing I confess to is my gratitude for Father Yunho’s willingness to do this on such short notice.” Seonghwa pulled his hands away.

Yeosang smirked, but didn’t delve into how it ended up being such a short notice. “We need to go back, we promised to cook for the children tonight, remember?”

“Ah, yes. And there is nothing scarier than hungry children.” Seonghwa reached out and linked arms with him.

“Are you coming with us?” San asked Yunho.

Yunho shook his head. “No, go ahead. Can you take this back for me?”

San took his bible and tucked it under his arm. “Are you meeting Mingi?” A coy smile split across his face. When Yunho shoved his shoulder, he held his hands up. “Alright, alright. I’ll see you later?”

“Have a good time with the kids.” Yunho waved at him as he turned to catch up with Seonghwa and Yeosang. Once he was close enough, they let go of each other and made room for San in between them, relinking their arms with his.

Their footsteps faded into the distance and Yunho exhaled. He hadn’t realized how much tension was stored in his shoulders during that whole experience. A warm bath sounded wonderful, but that would have to wait.

A shrill clicking caught his attention, and when he looked up, he noticed the small, furry creature. The bat circled around him in a whirlwind, making Yunho turn to try to follow it. He laughed when it landed on his shoulder so it could nuzzle him with its cold nose.

Goosebumps ran down his body and he kicked his feet. “Mingi! That tickles!”

The bat launched itself back into the air and it allowed Yunho just enough time to regain control of his breath. There was a heavy flapping when Yunho turned around, he was met with a human face.

Mingi hopped onto the back of the pew in front of him and kneeled down so he was eye level with Yunho. “Come hunting with me.”

“Me?” Yunho grinned. “I don’t think I’m the best one to go with you.”

“It’s not about being the best.” When Yunho swung playfully at him, Mingi caught him by the wrist and pulled him in close. “It’s about wanting to spend time with you. Plus, it’s for you, or do you expect me to take care of you now?”

“You are much stronger than me.” Their noses brushed and he smiled. “But fine, I’ll go with you.”

Mingi clapped with excitement and jumped from the pew. “I’ll teach you how to hunt in the dark.”

“The moon is actually bright enough,” Yunho observed as he looked up. The clouds had finally broken so the full glow of it was cast down on them. It wasn’t as bright as the sun, but it certainly was the brightest he had seen in a long time.

“We’ll see.” Mingi took his hand and smirked.

They stopped by the inn first to retrieve his crossbow, which he hadn’t been carrying for some time. San was nowhere to be found, but Yunho presumed he was still with Seonghwa and Yeosang.

When he came back out, Mingi took him by the hand again before spiriting him away to the woods. They split away from the main path and went deeper into the treeline, crossing every fallen branch and pile of leaves as quietly as they could.

Mingi looked about, listening closely to everything around them. At one point, he lifted his nose to the air and inhaled deeply. “This way,” he said before motioning for Yunho to follow. He spotted the deer first and he quickly tucked down behind a fallen tree. “There.”

Yunho rested his elbows on the log and took aim, watching the deer as it munched on a patch of grass. It was in perfect position for a quick shot, no suffering, no pain. But then Mingi reached out and placed a hand over his crossbow.

“Not that one,” he whispered.

Just when he was about to ask why, he looked up and saw a little fawn clumsily fumble over to the deer. It was clearly in a playful mood as it kicked its long legs and shook its floppy ears. Its mother gave what sounded like an annoyed snort at it, but continued eating.

Mingi reached down and picked up a rock. He launched it off to the side of them, which was just loud enough to spook them so they could run to safety. Then, he looked at Yunho with a guilty smile. “We’ll find something else.”

“Alright.”

They were both motherless, so Yunho understood why Mingi couldn’t knowingly do that to another creature. Even if the cycle of life was vicious, and sometimes necessary, he would not be the one to inflict that pain on anything. Even if he was at the top of the food chain, even if he had all the power in the world; he remained true to his beliefs.

Yunho smiled at him. “Lead the way.”

🦇

They ended up finding something even better. A boar jumped out of the thicket with a horrifying squeal and changed at Yunho. But before it could skewer him, Mingi pounced on it and snapped its neck.

Yunho fell back against the earth and laughed as the adrenaline made its way through him. He couldn’t believe he was romancing a vampire after a career of exorcizing demons and a boar is almost what ends him.

When he opens his eyes again, Mingi is above him, mouth bloody and pupils blown wide. He lifted his robes like a skirt before he straddled Yunho’s waist. Yunho pushed up to his elbow before he reached for Mingi with his other hand.

“Pray for it…” He demanded as Yunho brought them closer together. “For its sacrifice.”

“Lord, I am so blessed to be able to hunt and I appreciate the blessings You have bestowed upon me. Yet I know that so many others are in great need.” Yunho kissed him, undeterred by the blood on his lips. “Give me the grace to share the food of the hunt not only with my family and friends but also with those who have greater need: the hungry and the poor.”

Mingi hissed but he didn’t ask him to stop, though he tried to stop him by nipping at his lips.

“May my sharing with them be one small part of my continuing care for your poor. As they ask You, Father, for their daily bread, use me as one small instrument to help provide it to them.” His hands trembled as he took Mingi by the waist, holding him still. “Amen.”

🦇

Mingi carried the boar back over his shoulder and dropped it off at the butcher's shop before they began to make their way back through town. Yunho was a little surprised to find that people were still up and active at that time, but Mingi explained with a nocturnal lord it wasn’t that uncommon to find on occasion.

“I just remember that the second the sun fell we’d get corralled inside,” Yunho chuckled as they walked. “Like the monsters came crawling out the minute night came.”

“I’ve learned monsters hide anywhere, the light has nothing to do with it,” Mingi hummed. “I was killed in the sunlight, and reborn in the moonlight.”

Yunho looked at him and pulled on his hand to stop him. There was so much he wanted to say, and yet words failed him. Mingi smiled at him, innocent yet understanding. He leaned over and kissed his cheek as if to say don’t worry, while tangling their fingers together to continue on.

They found San with Seonghwa and all the orphan children around a small campfire as Seonghwa sat with a little one in his lap while he spoke with grand gestures of his arms, making them all gasp.

“He’s an excellent storyteller,” Mingi whispered.

Yunho nodded. “You know, if the nuns met witches like him, maybe they wouldn’t make them so scary in the stories they told us as children.”

When he glanced over, Mingi was smiling gently at him. He knew what it was for. To admit that a perspective was changing was hard for anyone to do, Yunho was no exception.

“Alright, let’s go inside, it’s getting late.” Seonghwa stood up and set the little boy on the ground. “We’ll finish the story up tomorrow evening.”

All the little ones groaned in disdain and he clicked his tongue at them. “Good things come to those who wait.” He scolded as he herded the children like a sheepdog with San’s help. He counted the tops of their heads before he paused. “Where is Jia?”

“She went to the river! She said she forgot something there!” One of the older kids said, pointing toward the thicket that blocked the river from view.

Yunho turned toward it and stared at it. Spider legs prickled the back of his brain in warning.

“Oh, this child. I swear, I’m going to have to threaten I’m going to eat her knees if she doesn’t stop this. Children, follow San inside, I’ll go get her.”

“I’ll go with you,” Yunho said.

Mingi’s head snapped toward him, his eyes wide with surprise.

“That’s kind of you, Yunho but I’m sure it’s –” Seonghwa was cut off when the shrill scream echoed across the valley.

“Get them inside! Mingi, San, watch over them!” Yunho shouted as he started toward the river. He didn’t hear Mingi’s panicked call of his name.

He tore through the bramble, ignoring the pain as a branch split the flesh of his cheek. He pulled his crossbow from his back and had it ready for when he broke through. When he reached the bank of the river, he stopped. It wasn’t the largest river in the world, only a few yards and only knee deep for someone of his height. But it gave him a clear view of the bounty hunter holding Jia by her little pig tail. When she saw Yunho, she tried to step forward, but was tugged back.

“Oh, well this is unexpected.” The man looked him up and down. “I had no idea an exorcist was already on the scene.”

“We are. We’re currently investigating, so I’ll ask you to kindly unhand the child.” Yunho kept his bow aimed at the man’s head, but his eyes flicked to Jia. “She’s innocent.”

“That may be a problem. You see, there’s been a bounty placed on the witch of this town. And I hear he has a soft spot for orphans. Perhaps you could help me and we can share the prize.” The silver glint of a knife caught Yunho’s attention. Jia gasped and tried to pull away but stopped when it was pointed towards her.

The bush behind Yunho rustled and spat out a frazzled Seonghwa. Yunho barely had enough time to drop his aim and reach to catch Seonghwa before he rushed across the river. Jia cried and reached out for him, which made him release a distressed sound.

“Release her!”

“Thank you Father, you keep making my job easier. You brought the witch right to me!”

“You have no business here.” Yunho raised his bow again, having to adjust its weight on his bicep in order to keep his finger on the trigger properly. “She is no danger to you, release her.”

The hunter’s brows furrowed. “You know, there had been rumors that priests were disappearing and that this town was at fault for that. Am I understanding that the church is… Protecting heretics now?”

“She’s a little girl! Not a heretic!” Seonghwa shouted. “You’d harm an innocent child for the make-believe crimes of others?!”

“HwaHwa…” She reached out again.

Yunho looked up when he heard the gentle brushing of wings. Bats flew over their heads and his breath caught. “I’m asking you to release her for your safety.”

The hunter laughed. “Is that a threat?”

“No,” Seonghwa said. “It’s a promise.”

The shadow sprang from behind him with a monstrous growl, two pairs of blood red eyes were the only thing visible in the overwhelming darkness.

Yunho threw his crossbow to the ground and darted into the river. His long legs could handle the current, but Jia would be swept away in a heartbeat. But that didn’t stop her from running toward him, not even the shock of the cold water stopping her.

He got to her just as her foot slipped on a rock and she fell to her neck. Before the water could drag her away, he picked her up. “Close your eyes,” he said softly over the sound of the gurgled screams behind them.

She buried her face in his neck and her little hands balled into fists against his shoulder.

He spared one glance back at the shadows that swallowed the threat whole. The screams had fallen silent and the only thing he could hear over the gentle river was the wet tearing of flesh.

When he reached the bank, Seonghwa reached out for Jia, who Yunho gladly passed over. He collapsed with her in his arms, rocking her gently as he whispered his gratitude for her safety.

“Yunho!” San came bursting through the hedge with Yeosang on his heels.

“We’re alright!” Yunho called out.

Yeosang ran straight for Seonghwa and dropped to his knees. He looked in shock at the state Seonghwa was in, but he still reached out for him. “She’s safe, it’s okay.”

“T-the others?” Seonghwa’s hand shook as he reached for Yeosang’s where it rested on his cheek.

“Wooyoung is with them. The moment you two ran off, he called for Hongjoong and they both came.” He smiled, despite how shaken he was.

“What happened?” San whispered as he came closer to Yunho.

“Bounty hunter,” Yunho whispered back. “We won’t have to worry about it.”

He turned to look across the river. Hongjoong stepped out of the shadow first, dragging it like a cloak behind him before he offered a hand out to Mingi. When he stood, the darkness disappeared under their feet as if they had absorbed it, revealing the bloodied skeleton of the hunter they had left behind. It looked like its flesh had been melted off of it, its limbs left twisted and contorted.

Mingi noticed Yunho staring and he quickly turned away, his body shrinking into a small cloud before a bat shot out from it. Hongjoong looked up in confusion before he glanced back at Yunho. Some sort of recognition crossed his face before he took changed forms and followed after Mingi.

“Where are they going?” Yunho asked.

“They cannot cross the river. They’ll take to the skies to return home,” Yeosang said as he helped Seonghwa stand.

“Oh.” He didn’t mean for his voice to sound so forlorn. In fact, he was almost embarrassed that it came out so melancholy over the idea he wouldn’t see them right away.

“You can go.” San squeezed his arm. “I’ll secure the area.”

“Jongho should look you over first,” Yeosang said.

“I’m fine, let him look after Jia. I’ll –”

“Yunho, please.” Seonghwa looked at him with pleading and tearful eyes. It wasn’t a request, but a demand made with care. It wasn’t for his benefit, but Seonghwa’s, to ease any guilt of what could have happened.

His eyes fell onto Jia, who was peeking up at him from underneath Seonghwa’s cloack. “Okay, we’ll go together.”

He followed Seonghwa back to the village where they were quickly met with a worried Jongho. They followed him into the clinic as he fretted over them, which Yunho did his best to stay a step behind them to avoid it as much as he could.

Jia was okay over all, just chilled with a few scrapes on her hands and a sore scalp from where her hair had been pulled. She stayed curled in Seonghwa’s lap, even when Jongho checked him over as well.

Jongho gave them a few satchels of a calming tea that would help them sleep if they needed it. He surmised that it might be hard for them over the next couple days, but if it lasted longer, to come back to see him.

On their way out, Seonghwa stopped by where Yunho was waiting and reached out to take his hand. “Thank you, Father.”

Yunho covered Seonghwa’s hand and smiled. “Of course.”

Once they were gone, he looked to Jongho who was staring back expectedly.

“Have a seat.”

“I’m fine, really,” Yunho insisted as he sat.

“That’s a nasty cut on your face. What would happen if it got infected, hm?” Jongho turned his back as he rummaged through a cupboard, glass bottles clinking together as he gathered a few.

“Nothing worse than what I’ve had before,” he mused.

“If I send you back to Hongjoong and Mingi without looking at it, it’ll be my throat they tear out next.” He used a wooden spoon to tap something into one of the jars before he furiously stirred. “Now, you let me put a salve on it, or you take a blood vial, up to you.”

“No blood.” He didn’t want to comment about the fact that he knew he was going back to Mingi and Hongjoong without being told, but he assumed it was hardly a secret anymore.

“You sure? It’ll do the job faster. And it’ll help it not scar.” Jongho turned with a jar filled with a white cream inside.

Yunho snorted and held his palms out. “Does that look like something I’m worried about?”

Jongho frowned and reached out to take one of his hands. “You only see this kind of thing in exorcists who are overworked.”

“All of us are overworked, then. I’ve never met an exorcist that doesn’t have these marks.”

“Does San?”

“His are smaller. I finish off most of the demons.” Yunho pulled his hands away and folded them in his lap. He had always been told to cover them up because they were too unsightly for the general public to see. It would unnerve them, they wouldn't understand. But in the village of misfits, they didn’t seem to mind.

“You’ve always been a selfless person, it seems.” Jongho hooked his foot around his stool and pulled it over so he could sit in front of him.

“If I say yes, that makes me condescending.” He leaned forward as Jongho scooped some of the cream onto his fingers. It smelled flowery, but there was still a medicinal burn that hit his nose. However, it didn’t sting like he thought it would.

“It’s okay to brag about yourself on occasion,” Jongho mumbled so his focus didn’t break.

“He will beautify the humble with salvation,” Yunho tried not to move as he spoke. “Psalm 149:4.”

Jongho pulled back and looked at him with surprise. “You really had that in your back pocket ready to use, huh?”

“It is part of my job.”

“Occupational hazard, I guess.” Jongho turned away from him, so Yunho didn’t get to ask what he meant by that. He wiped his hands on a towel before he offered him a small satchel, similar to the one he gave Seonghwa. “I’m giving you some tea as well. But, I have a feeling you may not need it.”

His eyes flicked to the door, and even though there was no one there, Yunho knew.

“Thanks, what do I owe you?” He asked without looking at him.

“Nothing. Call it a reward for a good deed.” Jongho waved him off. “Go get warm before you get hypothermic.”

With another absent thank you, he took the satchel from him on his way out. He didn’t dare put it in his pocket in case it got wet and ruined it. So he looped the drawstring around his finger and quickly made his way out of the clinic, only stopping on the small porch looking down at the man waiting for him.

Mingi looked up at him, but hesitated. Yunho stepped off the porch and onto the muddy ground and waited. Mingi seemed afraid to touch Yunho after what they had just gone through. But the moment Yunho opened his arms, Mingi dove into them. His clothes were still wet, but Mingi didn’t seem to care. He pressed his nose into Yunho’s neck, just below his ear, and inhaled.

“You’re okay…”

“I’m okay,” he echoed. “That was nothing compared to what I’ve been up against.”

Mingi straightened so he could look at him. His eyes immediately went to the cut across his cheek and a crease appeared between his brows.

“I didn’t get it from the hunter,” Yunho reassured him. “It didn’t escalate that far.”

“I should have gotten there sooner…I should have gone instead of you.”

“Don’t do that to yourself.” He took one of Mingi’s hands and dragged it down to his chest. The moment he felt his heartbeat, he sucked in a shuddering breath. “You hear that? I’m alive.”

Mingi stared at his hand, watching every breath that Yunho took. “Come, we need to get you warmed up. I don’t need you dying of frostbite.”

He tangled their fingers and pulled them through the village. When the breeze broke through the wall of trees, he tried to curl in on himself, but it did little to help him. Mingi made them walk as fast as their long legs could carry them, which seemed to get them to the bridge in record time.

“I thought vampires couldn’t cross running water?” He asked to distract himself from the last few minutes of cold as they crossed the bridge.

“We can’t, physically. As long as we don’t touch the water, we’re safe. So a bridge or flying above it allows us safe passage,” Mingi explained quickly. He didn’t seem in the mood for Yunho’s inquiries as he pulled him through the door of the castle.

He dragged him by the arm up the stairs and into one of the many rooms. There was already a fire going and Yunho wondered how, though he kept it to himself. Mingi sat him down in front of the fireplace.

“Wait here while I fetch you some new clothes. I hope you don’t mind something of mine.”

“Not at all. I’m sure the clothes you have now are better than anything I could ever afford.”

Mingi snorted. “You give us a little too much credit.” He stood and leaned forward to kiss his forehead. “I’ll be back.”

Yunho nodded and watched Mingi rush back out of the room. The cold settled into his bones, but the fire worked hard to reverse it. His eyelashes fluttered as he tried to keep his eyes open. As much as he deserved sleep, it wasn’t time yet.

A heavy click of boots echoed in the hall, then a moment later, Hongjoong burst into the room like an angry gust of wind. Yunho jolted upright, suddenly awake. Hongjoong looked like he was still geared up for a fight, the veins in his neck bulging and angry. However, the moment his eyes fell on Yunho by the fire, his posture softened.

“You’re still in your wet clothes,” he said from the doorway.

“Mingi went to find new ones for me.” Yunho waved him over.

He hesitated for a moment, but eventually, he took the first step. “Jongho said you refused to have him help you.”

“No, I let him look me over. I just refused the blood,” Yunho said with a smirk as he looked up at Hongjoong as he rounded his chair. “I didn’t suffer any injuries, thanks to you and Mingi.”

“Jia and Seonghwa are safe because of you.” Hongjoong’s hand traced the back of the chair, his rings snagging at the embroidered fabric hard enough that he lifted away from it to avoid damage.

Yunho watched as he kneeled in front of him. He looked so unbearably human in the orange glow of the fireplace. “I was just doing my job.”

“We are all grateful for it.” Hongjoong’s fingers twitched like he wanted to reach for him. Yunho shifted his knees so they entered Hongjoong’s space, a silent invitation, which Hongjoong took. Instead of his leg, Hongjoong took the hand that tangled over the edge of the arm of the chair. A squeeze of their hands made Hongjoong look back up at his face. “Forgive me if I sound delusional when I say this, but… I like to believe that possibly you’ve developed a soft spot for this place.”

“You sound hopeful.”

“And if I am?”

“Could you care for someone like me?”

“I love Mingi, don’t I?”

“Mingi is a better man than I am.”

Hongjoong smiled sadly and brought his hands to his lips. “You’re both good men. I truly believe that.”

The door opened and Mingi froze when he saw the two of them. “You’re back.”

Hongjoong smiled up at him. “I am. I just had to check on everything to make sure it was okay. San and Yeosang are diligently searching the forests for any more intruders.”

“Good.” Mingi made his way over with a pile of clothes in his arms. He reached out and brushed back Hongjoong’s hair, the curly strands bouncing back frizzier than before.

Hongjoong made an annoyed grumble and swatted at Mingi’s hand.

Mingi chuckled as he avoided the swat by going to set the clothes on a nearby dresser. “Shall we give Yunho some privacy to change?”

Just as Hongjoong stood, Yunho snatched him by the wrist. “Don’t…” He cleared his throat when he realized how desperate he had sounded. “I mean… I don’t mind the company.”

“We can turn away, if you’d like.”

Yunho stood frozen. The correct thing would be to ask them to turn away to keep his modesty in check. His heart raced and he knew they could hear it, so was there a reason to hide from them? When they could clearly see right through him?

He reached up to pull the white band from his collar, but found he had forgotten it once again. His hands shook as he raised them to slowly undo the fascia around his waist. It was still wet, so there didn’t seem much of a point in folding it, so instead, he draped it over the back of the chair.

When he started on the buttons trailing down his chest, he saw Hongjoong’s hand twitch out of the corner of his eye. He looked up so he could try to gauge their reactions and all he was met with was hunger. His breath hitched but he tried to remain calm as he undid the first button. Slowly, he exposed the smooth expanse of his chest.

Their eyes landed on his rosary and Mingi immediately flinched. With how Hongjoong’s nostrils flared, he knew that it wasn’t comfortable for him either. Yunho reached up and slid it over his head, then placed it on the chair underneath his fascia.

When he reached up to shrug out of his cassock, Hongjoong reached a hand out. “Wait.”

Yunho stopped, suddenly afraid he read the mood wrong. “I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be. I want us to move this somewhere more comfortable.” Hongjoong gestured for him to take his hand. “Even if there’s no one here, I want you to walk through the halls comfortably.”

Yunho pinched his cassock together with one hand, and took Hongjoong’s with the other. “Where are we going?”

“Our room.”

They swept him out of the room like he was their most prized possession. The doors opened on their own and closed behind them without being touched. A power like that was supposed to belong only to God and his chosen ones, but he was witnessing the miracle himself. That, or he was going insane.

If he was, he wasn’t sure he cared.

A set of double doors swung open and he was pulled through just as Hongjoong released his hand. He wasn’t alone for long before Mingi was scooping him up into his arms. Yunho’s elbows caught awkwardly between their chests, but it was the perfect level for him to cradle Mingi’s face between his hands.

Mingi turned his head and kissed his blackened palm. The skin under his lips tingled and Yunho let out a shuddering breath.

There was a clattering behind them, and they both turned to see Hongjoong throwing logs into the large fireplace. He noticed them staring at him and he paused.

“We don’t use it very often. I thought having a cold human was a good occasion to,” he said, sheepishly.

“Thank you.” Yunho placed his feet back on the floor, but stayed pressed against Mingi.

Hongjoong struck a match and kneeled down to set the wood ablaze. The flame started off small, but it caught quickly and completely engulfed the logs.

“For someone who doesn’t start fires often, you sure got that started quickly,” Yunho chuckled.

With a smirk, Hongjoong stood up and made his way back over to them. “Maybe I’m just trying to seduce you with my vampire magic.”

“We already have him in the bedroom, my love,” Mingi laughed. “I don’t know what more seduction will do.”

“Shh,” Yunho chided him with a pinch on his ass. “Let him work for it.”

“There will be plenty of time for me to court you,” Hongjoong grumbled. The after went unsaid, but it still made Yunho preen at the idea they were already thinking of doing it again. But then Hongjoong pulled at his cassock, and it reminded him of a small detail he had left out.

“W-wait.” He clenched his cassock around himself once more.

“Did we scare you?” Hongjoong asked like he was a delicate bird and it warmed his heart.

“No, nothing like that.” Yunho shook his head. “I’ve… I’ve never been with another human being. In… that way.”

Hongjoong’s eyes went wide, but Mingi chuckled. “Oh no, now you’ve done it.”

“Done wha –” Yunho didn’t get to finish because a hand on the back of his neck brought him down. His lips crashed into Hongjoong’s as he nipped with his blunt teeth, desperate to get inside.

He placed his hands on Hongjoong’s hips as Hongjoong stood on his toes so he could reach him better. His nails dug into the back of Yunho’s neck, little pinpricks that sent flames down his skin.

“So innocent and sweet,” Hongjoong whispered when he pulled back.

Yunho had never been described that way before. It was always skilled, talented, useful. But to them, he was –

“Beautiful.”

He leaned in and kissed Hongjoong again, but he let himself enjoy the feeling of his lips. Hongjoong kissed like some worshiped. Slow, deliberate, self-serving and hungry. He tugged on his cassock once again, but this time, when Yunho pulled away, he didn’t hide. With both of their eyes on him, he dropped his damp cassock to the ground. He kept his gaze away from them, too afraid of what their reactions would be.

Mingi stepped forward first. His hand hesitated in the air for a moment before it gently caressed his hip. Yunho swallowed a breath as his thumb brushed over a long scar that stretched across his abdomen.

“I remember this scar… This was from your first mission.” He trailed his hand along the scar until he reached the middle of his chest. “They thought you weren’t going to make it through the night.”

“But I did. For you.”

Mingi’s eyes found his and his breath caught. Everything was for him, every breath he ever took was for Mingi. And now also…

Another hand slid up his back and he arched back into it. The gentlest kiss was placed behind his ear and when he turned toward him, a tiny growl startled him. He jumped and looked back at Mingi.

“So possessive, little raven,” Hongjoong laughed. “Don’t worry, I won’t take him from you. As long as you share.”

Mingi’s hands squeezed Yuho’s hips while he debated on the validity of Hongjoong’s words. But eventually, his hold loosened. Yunho didn’t move, however, he did look back at Hongjoong and smiled.

Yunho’s heart hammered in his chest when Mingi’s lips suddenly grazed his shoulder. He wondered if they could hear it because it was the only thing filling his ears.

“Your skin is still cold…” Mingi whispered as he lifted his lips to his ear. A shiver ran through Yunho, which he didn’t bother to try to suppress. “I hate that I can’t warm you.”

“I’m sure the two of you could come up with something.”

Mingi smirked before he gave Yunho’s chest a gentle push with the tips of his fingers. With all the trust in the world, he fell. His back hit the mattress and looked up at the canopy above. He only got a moment to admire the deep gold embroidery before the remainder of his clothes were stripped off, and a wet mouth wrapped around his cock.

He cried out, and arched off the bed but Hongjoong’s hands caught him by the shoulders and kept him pinned down.

“Forgive me father for I have sinned.”

Yunho cried out just as the tip of his cock hit the back of Mingi’s throat. He bit his lip as he tried to stop the pathetic whimpers that threatened to leave his throat.

“Isn’t he pretty on his knees for you?” Honjoong’s tongue ran along the shell of his ear. “Look how eager he is to take your confession.”

Yunho’s hands shook as they gripped his hair. “I-I, not yet, Please.” He had only experienced orgasms in his sleep, which left him with sticky underwear and sensitive nerves. What Mingi was doing to him was already bringing him to a new sensation, and he could only guess what it meant.

“You heard him, little raven.”

Mingi followed the order and pulled his mouth off of him, and Yunho almost regretted it. His lips were puffy and matched the pink that dusted his cheeks, his eyes glazed over with what looked like could have been tears.

“What do you want?”

Yunho stammered at the question. It was too broad of a question and his mind was muddled with arousal. The fire crackled behind them and the orange glow flickered against Mingi’s skin.

“I want... I want you both. Show me how to have you both.”

Mingi shivered. “Come.” He motioned for him to follow as he rolled onto his back, which he did eagerly.

If Mingi asked him to follow him through hellfire, he would.

Yunho crawled between Mingi’s open legs on his knees and immediately dove in for a kiss. He helped him shuffle out of his clothes and tossed them over onto the floor. The bed dipped briefly and he cracked an eye open to see Hongjoong ridding himself of his clothes as he made his way to the small chest of drawers next to the bed.

Hongjoong retrieved a jar from one of the drawers, a gold jar with painted details that Yunho couldn’t make out from his angle. “This will help open both of you up without any pain,” he reassured when he opened it.

Yunho nodded, not caring about what it was made of. He wanted it, desperately. Shame made its way through his body, but it was quickly forgotten when he felt the first cold breach of Hongjoong’s fingers. His lips parted, but no sound came out as static filled his brain. He dug his fingers into the bed sheets in an attempt to keep himself upright. His hips moved on their own, pushing back against Hongjoong’s fingers.

A deep moan made him look up.

Mingi’s eyes were squeezed shut, one leg bent up toward his chest as his arm held it in place while his fingers thrust in and out of himself. Yunho watched as his hole spread around his knuckles, a glossy shine coating the outside of it. His fingers looked thick and long, and he wondered what they would feel like alongside Hongjoong’s.

Heat licked at the base of his spine as Hongjoong sped up until Yunho’s heavy breaths turned into pitchy moans. The wet squelching of Mingi’s fingers kept in time with Hongjoong’s and it was driving him insane.

If only he knew that it got better.

The second Hongjoong hit his prostate, he screamed and with a sudden jolt, his face landing against Mingi’s thigh.

Hongjoong chuckled but set a comforting hand on his hip. “Easy, Father. There’s more where that came from.”

Yunho wasn’t able to come up with anything intelligent to say. He clinged to Mingi’s thigh, unable to stop himself from drooling on his smooth skin.

“Mingi, give him something to focus on.”

Fingers under his chin made him open his eyes. He was met with Mingi’s hard cock only inches away from his face. Red, and straining with a pearl of pre cum at the tip.

Yunho’s mouth watered.

He didn’t know if that was what Hongjoong meant, but he pushed up to his elbows so he could hover above Mingi’s pelvis. Slowly, he lowered his mouth onto it, just as Mingi had done to him. Mingi sucked in a sharp breath and Yunho reveled in the fact that he was the one who made him sound like that. It tasted salty and bitter, but he didn’t dislike it.

It didn’t distract him fully from the way Hongjoong continued to finger his prostate with antagonizing strokes, but it only added to the flame in his belly. He tried to roll his hips to gain some friction on his cock, but Hongjoong clicked his teeth at him in warning.

Mingi’s hip kicked just enough to plunge his cock deep enough in Yunho’s mouth to make him choke. He pulled off and coughed despite strings of drool still connecting him to Mingi.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Mingi yanked his fingers out of his hole and reached to pull Yunho up. “Breathe, love. Breathe.”

Yunho settled his palms on the bed by Mingi’s sides as he tried to regain his breath. A palm pressed against his chest to guide him alongside Mingi’s gentle encouragement. The hand was smaller, and the weight against his back told him that Hongjoong had curled around him.

Safe.

He took a deep breath and opened his eyes. Mingi’s eyes were filled with concern as they darted back and forth while checking for any more signs of distress. “I’m okay.”

“I’m sorry, your mouth just feels so warm,” Mingi confessed as he leaned up to kiss him.

He hummed against Mingi’s lips. The palm on his chest slipped away and Yunho pulled back to search for where Hongjoong had gone. The bed dipped as he came up alongside them, his red eyes glued to their faces.

“I needed to see your face to make sure you’re really okay.”

Yunho huffed a laugh through his nose. “But you can feel my heartbeat.”

“Yes, but seeing the light in your eyes is different.” Hongjoong kissed his cheek, just above the large cut. “Let this old creature see for himself, hm?”

“If I let you, will you get on with fucking me?”

Hongjoong feigned a gasp. “Why Father, what vulgarity.” He broke out into a bright smile. “But of course. Mingi, are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Yunho turned back to Mingi. Their eyes met and suddenly Yunho felt like a teenager again. How many years did he dream of Mingi’s soft touch, only to punish himself for impure thoughts the next day before God? How many years did he lose thinking that for every demon he killed, for every good deed he did, it would grant him forgiveness for falling in love with his best friend?

He leaned down and kissed him again.

“You know what to do, Yunho,” Hongjoong whispered in his ear. “He’s yours, just as you’re his.”

Yunho tilted his head to look at him. “Just as you’re ours, and we are yours.”

That seemed to catch him off guard, and Mingi laughed gently.

“He’s not used to your boldness yet.” He mouthed at Yunho’s shoulder, sucking on the skin gently.

“He has time.” Yunho smirked before he pushed back.

He was glad that Hongjoong had confidence in him, because he sure as hell didn’t. His focus dropped to where Mingi’s legs were spread over his thighs. Mingi’s cock was still hard as it curved up toward his belly, and his hole was displayed prettily for him. He knew how the basics worked despite the lack of education from the church.

Having sensed his hesitation, Hongjoong kissed his cheek once more. “Shall I show you how it’s done first?”

Yunho didn’t have time to be embarrassed. He nodded and made to move away, but Hongjoong shook a finger at him, so he stayed still. He didn’t realize that when Hongjoong offered, he didn’t mean to show him using Mingi.

He meant by using him.

A hand on his back pushed him back onto his elbows over Mingi, their faces only inches apart from each other. He was only left confused for a moment before he felt the blunt head of Hongjoong’s cock push into him. A strangled gasp left his lips and Mingi’s hands found his face.

It burned wonderfully.

Hongjoong went painstakingly slow until his hips were flush with Yunho’s ass. Then, he caressed the small of Yunho’s back, his thumb digging into the tension at the base of his spine. He doesn’t need to, but he takes a moment to stop and take a breath.

“Pay attention, Father. This is your virginity, after all.”

Yunho dug his fingers into the blankets, only having a moment to prepare himself before Hongjoong started to move. His thrusts stayed shallow as they both grew used to feeling, but the moment that Yunho began to loosen up, he picked up his pace. Yunho’s head dropped to Mingi’s chest, his sternum muffling every moan that dripped out of his mouth.

It was fast and quick, just like Hongjoong promised. But the second the heat in Yunho’s belly threatened to burst, he stopped. He pulled out and Yunho’s clenched around nothing. Yunho couldn’t help but whine at the loss, looking back over his shoulder.

“W-why…?”

“I told you, I was going to show you how to help Mingi.” There was a light sheen of sweat on Hongjoong’s chest that glimmered as he reached up to push his hair back from his face. “What happened to all that boldness, Father?”

Yunho’s eye twitched. He gathered himself quickly and reached between his legs to take hold of his cock. Mingi placed his hands on the underside of his thighs, lifting them so he was at the best angle for Yunho.

“Don’t forget to lubricate yourself.”

He hadn’t expected Hongjoong’s slippery hand to suddenly slide down the length of his cock, then to wipe the excess across Mingi’s hole. Mingi shivered and his thighs twitched but he quickly calmed himself.

“Eager little thing.” Hongjoong punctuated with a nip to Yunho’s ear. “But don’t worry, we’ll train you well.”

With Hongjoong’s encouraging hand on his back, he dipped his hips down, the tip of his cock prodding Mingi’s entrance. They both gasped, but Yunho kept going. The first push was the hardest because of how much Mingi was clenching down on him.

He took his time to push all the way in, afraid that if he went too fast, it would be over before he could enjoy it. He focused on Mingi’s face, trying to catalog every tiny reaction to save for later. Mingi’s brows pinched and his fingers dug into the plush flesh of his thighs, fingertips colored white from tension.

“That’s it,” Hongjoong cooed in his ear. It made Yunho’s hips stutter, thrusting deeper into Mingi.

It left only a little bit of cock left, so he threw caution to the wind and gave a sharp snap of his hips. The sudden slap of their skin is like thunder in their ears. It startled Yunho, but he couldn’t help but want to hear it again. Eagerness got the better of him and without waiting, he started to find a rhythm.

Mingi let go of his thighs so he could rest his hands on Yunho’s shoulders, his nails digging half-moons into his skin. His mouth fell open when he moaned, his sharp fangs on full display. They didn’t look so scary like that, shiny with spit with his pink tongue just behind them.

“Keep going,” Hongjoong ordered as he disappeared from their side.

The rapture itself wouldn’t have been able to stop Yunho. But Hongjoong almost did.

Once he felt it, he knew what Hongjoong meant. He took Yunho by the hips, and once Yunho pulled back from Mingi, he pushed directly onto Hongjoong’s cock. His elbows wobbled and nearly gave out as he let out a surprised shout. The bodies sandwiching him weren’t warm by any means, but heat rushed through him like a wildfire. His hips didn’t know what to do; go forward and bury himself in Mingi’s tight hole, or go back and split himself open on Hongjoong.

Mingi whined impatiently and Hongjoong chuckled behind him. “Are you lost, little priest?”

“I… I…” Yunho stammered. His body ached with desperation, more than he had ever felt in his life.

“I’ll take care of you.”

He pressed down on Yunho’s shoulders, encouraging him to settle more between Mingi’s legs. Yunho was only left with his curiosity for a moment. Hongjoong placed his fists on the bed and started to thrust into him, causing him to rock forward into Mingi. Oh.

Yunho relaxed his body and allowed Hongjoong to control his body, letting him use it as a vessel for Mingi’s pleasure. He moved with urgency, but Yunho could feel the strain of his muscles every time their bodies connected. Hongjoong shook as he did his best to control himself, something Yunho wished he would stop.

A new wave of delightful shame rushed through him at the thought of what it would feel like if Hongjoong let go completely. Would he devour him in one fell swoop? Would he savor his body like it was a delicacy? Would he cherish his bones like he did the animals he hunted?

He let out a cut-off sob and Mingi moaned underneath him like he was able to read his mind. Mingi released his legs and Hongjoong was quick to grab one to pull it up over both of their hips. He clung to it like an anchor, pulling him down farther onto Yunho’s cock.

“Oh!” Mingi threw his head back, letting Yunho see the long expanse of his throat.

Temptation got the better of him and he leaned down, sinking his teeth into it. He didn’t have their sharp fangs, but Mingi didn’t seem to care. His hole tightened around his cock as he cried out. Yuho let go and hissed when his nails dug in deeper, puncturing the skin.

Hongjoong’s hips stuttered, and he didn’t know why until he felt his tongue caressing the small wounds Mingi left behind. He let out a shaky breath and his hips stilled for a moment.

Mingi brought one of his hands down, showing off the red tint on the tips of his nails. “Hongjoong.” He sounded near a breaking point.

Yunho leaned forward when Hongjoong pushed him. He let out a tiny groan when their groins were pressed together, especially as Mingi pushed up a little more to sit up. Yunho was confused by what he was doing, until Hongjoong leaned over him the best he could. His and Mingi’s lips connected and the wet gentle smacks of their kisses echoed in his ear.

He tried his best to turn his head so he could watch the two of them. Between their lips, he could see the messy swipes of their tongues peeking through, shiny and wet as Mingi moaned into Hongjoong’s mouth.

Up close, Yunho could hardly see it, but it was there. The faint glow of a black halo that highlighted their silhouette. He had only seen one eclipse in his life, and looking at them reminded him of the same gentle aurora.

He rolled his hips to gain their attention once more, and Hongjoong gave a surprised gasp.

“You should know what a bite to a vampire’s throat does, Father,” Hongjoong drawled as he pulled away from Mingi’s mouth.

“What does it do?” He stared at him over his shoulder as he continued to rock his hips. It wasn’t hard enough to be as nearly satisfying as the pace Hongjoong had set for them earlier, but it was just enough to spark his nerves.

“Let’s just say,” Hongjoong let a strained exhale out of his nose, “that you’re lucky Mingi has the self-control that he does. Otherwise, your neck would be his.”

“And what if that’s what I want?” Yunho looked down at Mingi, who was staring up at him with wide eyes.

“Do you really know what you’re asking for?”

“You really think I’m that innocent? That just because I’ve never taken part in another’s body that I don’t understand what I’m asking for?” He looked Mingi in the eyes so there was no way he could misinterpret his intentions. “Biting me won’t turn me, correct?”

Mingi nodded, still stunned silent.

“Then do it. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in them.”

Both vampires whimpered, and Yunho was unable to tell if it was from the pain of God’s words in their ears, or if it was the relief that they could finally let go.

The gentle swipe of Mingi’s tongue across his throat made him choke. His head tilted to the side, giving silent permission for Mingi to do as he pleased. However, Mingi didn’t react right away. He pressed his nose into what seemed like his new favorite spot under his ear and inhaled sharply, moaning at whatever scent he breathed in.

“W-what do I smell like?” Yunho asked.

Mingi’s hands tightened on his shoulders. “Like burning incense.” It was just like Wooyoung had told him as well.

“Like the church,” Hongjoong growled in his ear.

Yunho groaned as he pushed his hips back when Hongjoong snapped forward. It hit his prostate directly and he let out a sharp yelp. If Hongjoong made his body the vessel of his unchecked frustrations for the church, Yunho would allow it as long as it continued to feel like that.

“C-cleanse me then,” he rasped. “Let me take part in wicked deeds with evildoers, let me eat your delicacies.”

The bite made his body stiffen. The deep crunch of teeth breaking through skin and clinging to muscle left him limp in their arms. It hurt, but instead of pulling away from it, he sank against him. He had been goading Hongjoong, so he hadn’t been expecting Mingi to be the one to taste him first.

Mingi indulged for only a moment, taking one slow drink after another. His hands shook as he clung to him, whether from pleasure or from his struggle to control himself. Then, the second set of teeth sank into his neck on the opposite side. His lips parted and he let out an undignified whimper. His head felt like it was filled with cotton and tingles shot down to his fingertips.

Hongjoong pulled away with a hiss. “I could drain you dry, you're so…”

“Amazing.”

Yunho’s eyes fell to Mingi’s bloodied mouth. A rich bordeaux painted across his cheeks and lips, messy, something he never was before. Always filled with too much fear of stepping out of line, but in Hongjoong’s castle, he was free to be who he wished.

He surged forward and kissed him, hands cupping his beautiful face so he couldn’t run away.

Tasting his own blood made his stomach churn for just a moment before he was able to move past it. Hongjoong began rocking into him once more at a faster pace, which helped distract him from the feeling, further drowning him in pleasure.

“Oh, Go –”

Before the blasphemous curse could leave his lips, Hongjoong’s hand snatched him by the jaw. “Don’t say his name,” it was whispered to him softly, but the threat was still there. “Not when you’re here with us. You’re on your knees for us, not him.”

Mingi clenched around him and he let out a broken moan. His head was pulled down by the stern hand on his jaw and it made him look directly into Mingi’s eyes. He looked so beautiful underneath him. Glittering in a thin layer of sweat, lips pink and swollen as he panted.

“Say his name.” Hongjoong licked across the shell of his ear.

Yunho sputtered as he tried to get his brain to understand who Hongjoong was talking about. But then Mingi gasped when a particularly hard thrust rippled through Yunho and into him.

“Mingi,” Yunho said it like a prayer.

Mingi’s back arched, trapping his cock between both of their bellies. It was so warm between them, the warmest he had ever been. He was afraid to look down in case they had started to liquify and amalgamate, flesh melting into flesh.

Mingi twitched violently as his orgasm washed through him and Yunho almost forgot about his own pleasure for a moment. Mingi was worth the sin, worth the damnation of his soul. How could something so wonderful be wicked in the eyes of God? Not when Mingi cried for him with so much love.

But just as promised, the second that God entered into his brain, Hongjoong knew. Before Yunho’s pleasure filled brain could process it, he was yanked from Mingi’s body and flipped onto his back. Mingi caught him like a spider in a web. He took hold of his legs when Hongjoong pushed them up. He tried to cover himself, but he went completely still when Hongjoong gave him a warning snap of his teeth.

He crawled over them and quickly pushed back inside Yunho. His back arched as nonsensical pleas dripping from his mouth. Without being told, he took his cock into his hand and stroked in tandem with Hongjoong’s hips. He was so close. Greed was a sin, but he needed more, more, more.

It caught him by surprise when he felt Mingi’s teeth in his neck once more. Like always, Mingi knew exactly what he needed. His release spurted between his fingers and up his chest and he threw his head back and screamed. He clenched so hard it nearly locks Hongjoong in place.

Everything stilled around him.

Mingi removed his fangs from his neck and placed a kiss to the wounds left behind. Yunho let himself slump against Mingi as he tried to catch his breath. In his haze, he lifted his hand and gazed at the white that covered his blackened palms. Mingi’s release was sticking to his back, so all he was missing was –

Hongjoong was about to pull out, but Yunho managed to break his legs free from Mingi’s hold so he could wrap them around Hongjoong’s waist.

“Cleanse me from the inside,” he demanded.

Hongjoong’s pupils dilated, and he had just enough time to intertwine his fingers with Mingi’s before Hongjoong plunged into him. His thrusts were erratic and all Yunho could do was quiver as each drag of his cock grew stronger. The bed creaked underneath them as Hongjoong took his waist into a bruising grip as he buried himself inside Yunho once, twice, then –

Yunho’s mouth fell open in a strangled whine when he felt Hongjoong’s release flood his insides. It felt never ending until Hongjoong fell into their open arms. His face pressed into the side of Yunho’s neck, his breath coming out in heavy pants against his sweaty skin.

The room fell silent besides their breathing. Exhaustion started to settle in Yunho’s limbs and he was barely able to keep his head up.

Mingi let out a small grunt. “I’m sorry, but you’re crushing my cock and it’s too sensitive for that…”

Hongjoong laughed and pushed himself up onto shaky arms. He laid on his side and yanked Yunho off Mingi, tucking him against his chest. Mingi rolled onto his elbow, facing the two of them only to pause when his eyes fell on Yunho’s face. He reached up and stroked his cheek, spreading a streak of wetness over his skin.

Yunho blinked and realized there were tears on his lashes.

Mingi’s tongue fell out of his mouth so he could drag his finger across it. If Yunho wasn’t so tired, he was certain that his cock would have raised in interest.

“Don’t tease him, you’ll make him faint.” Hongjoong reached over and knocked Mingi onto his back as he laughed.

“I’m not worried.” Mingi scooched closer to Yunho and took his face between his palms. “My human is the strongest one I’ve ever met.”

Yunho gave him a sleepy smile and melted into his touch. “Your human…”

“Yes, mine.” Mingi’s breath ghosted his lips, but if he kissed him, Yunho was none the wiser.

His eyes slipped closed, and he allowed himself to slip into a heavy sleep. He was wanted and needed; he could finally rest.

🦇

When he woke up the next morning, it was in an empty bed. He suspected as much when he noticed sunlight creeping through the heavy drapes. He didn’t know where they went, but he hoped they felt as satisfied as he did.

He rolled onto his back to stretch, but paused when something twinged in his neck. With careful fingers, he reached up and felt the small puncture marks across his skin. It made him blush when he remembered how they got there. His back and hips were sore but in a comforting kind of way.

A knock came from the door and he quickly pulled the covers over him as he sat up. Wooyoung didn’t wait for his response as he pushed the door open with his hip, a tray between his hands.

“Good morning,” he chimed as he walked over.

“G-good morning.” Yunho blushed as Wooyoung sat at the edge of the bed, setting the tray down on the nightstand. The bottles rattled against each other and the water in the small bowl almost sloshed over the edge.

“I was told to come check on you this morning, make sure you’re okay,” Wooyoung smiled. “They held back a decent amount it seems. Thought you’d be Swiss cheese.”

“T-they were gentle.”

“Mmhmm, sure.” Wooyoung gave a knowing look before he reached over to grab a cloth, dipping it in the water before he leaned toward Yunho. “I’m going to clean you up a bit. Nothing invasive, I promise. From what I gathered, they took care of the rest of you last night.”

Yunho gave a short nod before he tilted his head, allowing Wooyoung to dab the cloth against the bite marks. They sat in silence for a moment before Wooyoung finally spoke.

“Were you scared?”

Yunho glanced at him before looking away again. “No. I feel like I should have been, but I wasn’t.”

“That’s good,” Wooyoung hummed as he set the bloody cloth back onto the tray. “This may be none of my business, but what do you plan on doing now?”

That was the golden question. “I don’t know.”

“I hear San wants to stay. His name might be added to the list of missing priests.” Wooyoung took a small jar and scooped out a dollop of white cream.“Will you join them as well? Or will you return to your superiors and tell them what happened here?”

“If I go back, they’ll kill me.” The cream was cold, and he shivered lightly. He recognized it as the same one that Jongho had used the day before. He suddenly remembered the tea that Jongho had given him and he wondered where it had ended up. Not that he needed it after all.

“Perhaps. Or, maybe that’s what you’re telling yourself to persuade yourself of a decision you’ve already made.”

Yunho looked at him and Wooyoung dropped his hands into his lap. For the first time, he wasn’t wearing the thick ribbon around his neck. His skin was littered with holes, and Yunho pondered if he did it on purpose.

“What makes you think that?”

“Because if you hadn’t, you wouldn’t be sitting in their bed with their marks on your neck.” Wooyoung stared into his eyes for a moment before he turned away to take a small bottle from the tray. “Drink this. It’s one of Seonghwa’s elixirs. It will help replenish your blood.”

Yunho took the bottle and uncapped it, swirling the amber liquid inside. “It smells awful,” he grimaced and quickly stuck the cork back in it.

“It tastes awful, too.” Wooyoung winked at him as he stood up. “They’ll be asleep until evening, I suggest you rest as well.”

“I’m not destitute, you know,” Yunho huffed.

“No, but you’re human. And no one understands death more than them. They realize what living through it can do to a person.” Wooyoung looked down at him with a soft yet stern gaze. “They will take care of you, no matter what.”

Yunho nodded gently. “Thank you.”

Wooyoung gave a small bow of his head as he started toward his door, but stopped before he left. “There are some clothes in the armoire. I’m sure something of Mingi’s will fit you.”

Yunho thanked him again before he left. There wasn’t any point in waiting, so he uncorked the vial once again and shot the contents in one go. He gagged immediately, but he managed to swallow it without spitting it out.

Before he focused too heavily on the way his stomach rolled, he slipped out of bed. He kept the sheet wrapped around him as he made his way to the armoire, only to pause in front of the mirror that hung on the door.

The bite marks were scabbed over, just little red dots in the sea of purple bruising. He stroked the one under his ear, the one that Mingi had left behind, then trailed to the one that Hongjoong gave him at the base of his neck. He dropped the sheet a bit and stared at the bruises that peppered his hips.

Beautiful.

He opened his hand and looked at his blackened palm. Of course he hadn’t expected the white streaks of his release to still be there, but he found himself disappointed anyway. When the thought of getting to do it again crossed his mind, he blushed. With a quick shake of his head, he decided to move on.

He dressed in the simplest clothes of Mingi’s he could find. A black turtleneck that reminded him of the comfort of his cassock, and black pants that he could easily tuck into his boots. He hesitated for only a moment before he pulled out a long vest that carried the hourglass symbol on the back and slid it on as well.

The day dragged as he waited for the sun to set. He shared a meal with Wooyoung, who gave him a knowing smile the second his eyes fell on the vest he wore, but said nothing about it. He wandered the castle, this time without the restriction of staying hidden.

He wandered back up to the bell tower and looked over the village, just like he had on the fateful day he had found Mingi again. His fingers stroked over the broken bricks left behind from his back. It already felt like a lifetime ago.

By the time the sky began to turn orange, the anticipation had begun to curl in his gut like a virus. He was beginning to think that there was something wrong with his stomach and that he would have to visit Jonho for real. He nervously picked at his cuticles as he stared out the window in Mingi’s and Hongjoong’s bedroom. Watching the sun slowly sink into the horizon made it feel like the minutes never passed and he was stuck in time.

But then, he heard a voice.

“I hear that San has decided to stay.”

Yunho turned and watched Mingi come stand next to him, his eyes wandering over his outfit. “I wonder if it might have to do with the fact he’s so smitten over a resident of this town.”

“A man like him, he’ll have many suitors. His vows to God will be heavily tested, that is for sure.” Mingi smiled as he pressed their shoulders together. His eyes trailed shamelessly down to Yunho’s neck.

“Can an exorcist find a place in a town like this?”

Mingi snapped his attention back up to his eyes. “Of course. But… You’d give it up?”

“You’ve always been my driving force.” He reached out for Mingi’s hand and laced their fingers together as they dangled between them. “So if you’re here, then so is my heart. If you’ll still have me, of course.”

Mingi’s eyes sparkled with joy as he nodded. “Of course I will! My heart doesn’t change easily, you know that!”

“What has my little raven so excited this early in the evening?”

They both turned to see Hongjoong walking up to them with a large smile on his face. Mingi looked to Yunho first, as if asking permission to share the news. With a small smile and a nod, Mingi beamed.

“Yunho has decided to stay with us.” Mingi’s hand tightened on his.

Hongjoong’s eyes widened. “Is this true?”

“With your permission, of course.”

Hongjoong stuttered, something Yunho would surely cherish since it seemed to take a lot to fluster him. “Of course you have it. They’ll come for you, you know.”

“Let them try.” He leaned forward to kiss his cheek. “How can I be afraid when I have two vampires at my side?”

🦇