Seoul has, over the years since Halloween became a thing, seen its fair share of monsters on Samhain night, but the black-winged male on his incredibly fast hoverboard does make more than a few heads turn.

When Taehyung finally reaches his destination, Jungkook is already there, waiting. The thick doors of the luxurious penthouse aren't soundproof enough to prevent the bass from echoing in the hallway. Both undercover agents share a look. No drinks, under any circumstance. Who knows what the kids mix these days. Taehyung presses the doorbell.

He's briefed Jungkook the best he could on the prime suspect, which didn't take long because the agency hadn't gathered much information at all. Jaewon is either completely innocent or has fabricated a very convincing cover. Recent college graduate, the young bachelor was just hired as an event manager at a rather high-end convention centre in downtown Seoul. According to Taehyung's observations, his obsession with all things supernatural is purely recreational. An expensive weekend hobby for a collector like Jaewon, who loves cosplaying.

His link to Dark Bay? None. For now. But that is solely because all transactions on the site are anonymous. Which allows for uncommon artifacts such as ancient Egyptian cosmetics or medieval scrolls of spells to be trafficked safely, without fear of government agencies cracking down on the traders.

Most of these items are fake, yet every now and then, the tech team at SSB* discovers a rare gem, an authentic listing. Few connoisseurs know of the real value of such finds but the sudden soaring of bids is a good indicator. Taehyung's job, incidentally, can be summed up as follows: buy the item and remove it from the market once and for all.

The vault is full of such winning bids. Among other things.

Taehyung remembers just in time to turn sideways in order to avoid the wings getting stuck in the doorway as they walk inside the bachelor's lavish flat, decorated with a mix of oaken and leather fixtures. The crowd is as eccentric as you'd expect on a Halloween night. Tripping partygoers are easily dodged. Taehyung does not possess the vampire's stealth nor speed but he soon finds he doesn't need either. Due to the size of his accessories, the throng gladly parts to let him by.

How Jaewon manages to sneak up on him, he doesn't know, but he recognizes the wandering hand around his waist in an instant. "Can you keep your paws to yourself for once?" he huffs.

"Not when you look like this, no." Jaewon does sound positively dazzled. "You are absolutely gorgeous, babe." Is he making a point to ignore Jungkook entirely? If the sibilation coming out of the vampire parted lips is anything to go by, the brush-off angers him.

Now is not the time for attention-fuelled egos to get riled up over a cold shoulder, Taehyung thinks, mentally rolling his eyes. Soon, he won't have to endure neither of them. He just needs to complete this one mission. Playing his part, he whines, "I could never match your looks. What are you dressed as anyway?"

Something flickers in the man's eyes. "Come on, sweets. Don't act dumb. You'd know this cloak among thousands."

Taehyung's heart starts beating a little forcefully, he finds. Not because of Jaewon's garment which, of course, he has already identified, but because the guy's words suggest he expects him to recognize the odious item. The cape that once covered the shoulders of a mighty wizard who betrayed his kind for power.

Jaewon takes his gloved hand and places it on the brooch sitting on the frock's collar. "Repeat after me. Da. Ra. El."

Taehyung gulps.

We do not say his name. Ever.

"It's not that hard. You can do it. Darael!" Jaewon teases.

"Da."

"Ra."

The schmuck's jubilation at Taehyung's struggle triggers something in Jungkook who notices the beads pearling on the witch's temple.

"This party sucks," he spits. "We got here twenty minutes ago and I still don't have a drink in my hand. Come on, Tae, let's go."

Jaewon's is quick to pull Taehyung closer to him. "I hadn't realized you were here for the food. Follow me! I have plenty upstairs."

The penthouse being on the top floor, it turns out upstairs is the roof, flat, empty, and surprisingly quiet compared to the living room below. Its smooth stone tiles refract the lights of the city that hardly sleeps, covering all surfaces with a golden shimmer.

Under different circumstances, Taehyung would have found the setting rather beautiful. Romantic even. But his eyes catch sight of a short table full of edibles. Thick, juicy grapes, round, luscious pears, bright, shiny jujubes, stacks of crunchy honeyed rice cakes, dried, flaky fish and fresh, savoury meats...

"Do you know what these are?" their host asks, giddy.

"Offerings," Taehyung whispers. He's sufficiently versed in human traditions honouring the dead, ancestors not to be forgotten, to recognize a Jesa table when he sees one.

"Good boy," Jaewon gloats. "Now, tell me. Why do you think I brought you here?"

Taehyung hasn't a clue. Jesa ceremonies are strictly family matters. Why would anyone hold a party on such a solemn occasion? A glance sideways confirms Jungkook is equally perplexed.

Jaewon, on the other hand, grooves on his guests' benightedness. "Come take a closer look," he suggests cheerily.

Two steps later, Taehyung notices the anomaly. An orbicular object that isn't food sits at the centre of the offering table. Green as jade, the carvings on its exterior resemble a snake coiling around its egg.

No way...

The man picks up the item, beaming. "So, you've finally recognized my yeouiju! A thing a beauty, don't you think?"

Is that the artifact that had been traded clandestinely a few hours earlier, in the midst of a crowded Namdaemun backstreet? And if it is, then how had it slipped under their radar?

No one has seen an Orb of Imugi in centuries. And no one has used any for just as long. It is believed the Imugis, the mighty flying serpents which are but dragons in the making, are lying dormant under the mountains. If anyone is to summon such an ancient creature, the Secret Sevens won't have the resources to hide it from the world. And then, where would that leave them? Coming out to humans as beings with powers has never been a winning strategy in the past. If their lot is to strive, they must remain clandestine, safe in their cloak of anonymity.

A sneering laugh resonates in the night. "I can see your cogs turning and it's adorable." The smirk on Jaewon's face switches to a pout as a flicker of something Taehyung identifies as pity flashes in his beady eyes.

"The thing is, no matter how shiny the jujubes, how expensive the meat, how sweet the cakes, it won't answer the call. Which means my offerings are lacking."

"There's nothing we can do about that," Jungkook states, voice cold and imposing.

"You cannot, that's a given. But he can."

Taehyung suspects his cover is somewhat blown and wonders to what extent. "Why me?"

Jaewon looks at him fondly. "You are one of a kind, Kim Taehyung. Sweet, pure, and so oblivious to the precious fluid running through your veins." A heartfelt sigh. "I just need a drop. Maybe two. Or three. We'll see. The imugi has been asleep for centuries, but I don't know of a better stimulant than the blood of a virgin witch."

Mortification does not even begin to describe the state Taehyung's finds himself in at being exposed like that.

Lucky for him, Jungkook is far from speechless. "OK. Maybe this party doesn't suck so bad." His voice is thick with a slickness Taehyung has grown familiar with. He still hates it, though, but doesn't interfere. Enough humiliation for one night.

The vampire steps forward. "Now be nice and hand over the orb and we'll be on our way."

"I take no orders from you," Jaewon sneers.

"And I won't let you spill his blood," Jungkook retorts, placing himself in front of the witch.

With the vampire standing in front of him, Taehyung doesn't see the six-shooter but hears it loud and clear when it fires, hitting Jungkook right in the chest. He could have easily dodged that, Taehyung thinks, before realizing his partner chose to shield him.

"Bullseye." The gunman exults as Jungkook falls on his knees.

Nothing in that moment makes sense to Taehyung. Jungkook, taking a bullet for him. Jungkook, convulsing on the ground. Jungkook dying?!

"Helsing silver cartridges. I knew they'd come in handy one day." The schmuck turned murderer advances briskly, smoking colt in one hand, shiny knife in the other. A hunter on the move.

Taehyung wants to reach for his wand, but it's not there.

Jaewon laughs. "Looking for this?" he asks, pointing at a wooden rod dangling from his belt. "Pockets don't do a good job at hiding such a stiff bulge," he adds before gripping Taehyung's hand and pressing his blade on the soft palm from which soon seeps the sought-after sanguine loot.

Fear condenses in Taehyung's gut as he watches his blood being smeared over the orb. At his feet, Jungkook writhes as the ore spreads through his system, effectively killing him.

From the corner of his eye, Taehyung notices a few guests have joined them under the astral canopy. Jaewon has turned away from him and if he's to try and stop him, he must move now. But what about Jungkook?

The vampire's bloodshot eyes are no longer blinking, staring into nothingness.

Imugis be damned. Taehyung kneels down and reaches for his ankle, pulling a pocket wand from its holster while his other gloved hand clutches at Jungkook's motionless body. Hexes fly as Taehyung mouths arcane formulas thick with magic, weightless as plumes and swift as a slayer's scythe.

Whether his spells hit the target, the witch doesn't know, breathing out his final charm.

Disapparatio.

—

Wattpad fanfic writers write for free. One way you can show your appreciation for their hard work is to vote!

Thank you for reading ~♡