⊱☯⊰

-''Are you sure there is nothing else to be done?'' – V asked, sitting next to Jin, who ever since they brought him back, haven't woke up not even once. He was comatose, in deep sleep. He would not stir, not even breathe differently. Yoongi had no idea what Namjoon did to him, but no amount of drafts and potions could revive him.

-''Hyung tried everything.'' – Tae said, thinking of Yoongi. – ''Even Jiyong Hyung sent for his healer, but no avail.''

-''I guess you tried to make that bastard speak?''

Tae nodded his head. – ''Of course, we did, but he won't talk and he must be locked up, Jiyong Hyung told us. He said his...um... magic... is way too strong.''

Tae paused for a moment, brows furrowing as he thought through.

-''V... what....what was that back in the dungeon?''

V raised his eyes to look at his twin, not knowing exactly himself how to call it.

-''I believe it was...some sort of...well...magic...I think.''

Tae's eyes went wide. – ''What do you mean? Where did you get it?''

V scratched his neck and took a deep breath before answering. – ''I'm not sure myself, but....'' – He paused slightly. – ''Um...I believe I always had it. It's just...it was bounded in some way before.''

-''And now?'' – Tae knelt in front of V, placing his hands on his brother's knees. V licked his lips, still looking at his second half, trying to find the best way to explain what happened to him on Isla de la Sangre. The spirits told him many things, but mainly about the prophecy and danger.

-''Tae...something happened on that island. I... I heard things...the spirits.''

Tae's brows furrowed even more. – ''The spirits?''

-''Yes...look, I'm not crazy... I...''

-''I never said you were.'' – Tae said calmly. – ''I do believe in spirits.''

They were silent for a moment of two, looking at each other's eyes, breathing calmly, even though they felt something stirring inside them.

-''Tell me more. What have the spirits told you?'' – Tae sat on his folded legs, propping his elbows on V's knees. Their faces so close, that he could feel his brother's breath on his face.

-''They spoke about the dark mage...they said 'the dark mage has come', and something about the 'light one needs you' and Tae, I swear, when they said it, I thought of you. It was so strong. I felt like you are in danger and that you need me and when they spoke of the 'light one' I had you in my mind and that was not my doing.''

-''What do you mean?'' – Tae tilted his head in confusion, completely absorbed in his brother's words.

-'' It's like they meant you.''

Tae frowning. – ''But I don't have magic.''

V licked his lips again, taking a deep breath. – ''That's just a thing... I think you do. I think both of us do.'' – He said, watching Tae lean back, staring at him confusingly.

-''I have no idea what you are talking about.''

-''Tae...you and I...we were always a bit different from everybody else, yes?''

-''Hmmm well yes, but that's because we are twins, right?''

-''No. I don't think it is because of that Tae.'' – V said gently. –''I believe that we always had something strange like our blood is tinted.''

-''Are you saying we are sick?''

-''No, no, no...I believe we have the magic tint.''

Tae just stared at him, frown deepening. – ''I don't think we do. We are not mages and witches. Our mother wasn't one.''

-''Tae, how much exactly do you remember of our mother?'' – V asked, covering his brother's hand with his own. He could feel this twin slight panic and nervousness.

-''Well...she seemed normal... beautiful... I remember she was beautiful and good.''

-''She was.'' – V smiled affectionately. – ''But we were too little to remember more. I mean, she could have hidden it from us, to protect us or wait for us to grow up a little. Maybe there was magic in our family, but she never got the chance to tell us, since she died. And what about the fact that you can whisper to animals? Hmmm? What about that one Tae? Normal people can't make animals do things that you can.''

-''Maybe I'm just good at it.'' – Tae protested. – ''It doesn't have to be magic.''

-''But it is Tae. Me seeing well in the dark, you talking with animals. And you always have a great way with people. You make friends so easily Tae. People love you from the very beginning. For me, it was never that easy, but you, you are different, you have that easy likeability.''

-''You want to say that me befriending people is magic? C'mon V.'' – Tae frowned at his twin, but V shook his head and cupped Tae's cheeks with his hands.

-''No Tae, listen. I never said that it's magic that you can have friends, but that she is making everything much easier for you. Mine never do that to me.''

-''We are just different V, that doesn't mean...'' – Tae begins to say but was interrupted by V's long fingers on his lips.

-''Tae, when I touched that rune stone, I couldn't move. My hand was glued to it and the thousands of voices hit me all of once. They told me about the mage who will destroy everything.''

-''Namjoon.'' – Tae whispered and V nodded. – ''Yes, he is the mage and the powerful one at that. We have listened to the stories about him.''

-''I don't think I've heard of him until now, when all of this happened.'' – Tae spoke slowly, concentrating hard.

-''Yes Tae, you did...we both did. They called him by many other names, but we know him for 'The sea wolf'.

Tae's eyes grew wide as he stared at his brother again.

-''It's....it's him?''

V nodded.

-''Fuck.'' – Tae said and V had to smile. He thought that as well when he first found out. Jiyong's men were good and loyal, but V had his way to extract information without them knowing. V's face grew serious again.

-''Tae, the light ones, it's you and me, we are the light ones. Our magic is written in our blood. I have it and you have it.''

-''But I don't have magic V!'' – Tae groaned loudly, pulling his face from V's hands and was reprimanded and shushed yet again.

-''Not so loud Tae, we are in the Dragon's den. Here everything has eyes and ears.'' – V said, his gaze slipping towards their Hyung on the bed.

-''I think Hyung knew or at least suspected something. He must have, we were always so different. Well, I was in any case.''

He looked back at his brother. – ''There is magic in our blood Tae, I can feel it now. I can feel yours too. It's stirring, waiting to be released, to be free.''

Tae diverted his gaze and shifted uncomfortably. The idea of magic gave him shivers. He didn't like it. He didn't want it. V was always the wild one. The one who was aching to be free, but not Tae. Tae didn't mind being burdened by the life and obligations, he enjoys it. Now even more so, since he met Jungkook.

-''Maybe it's just you V. Maybe only you have it. I don't think I do.'' – Tae said casting his eyes down from his brother's stare. V's gaze grew gentle.

-''Oh, but I'm pretty sure you do TaeTae.'' – The mention of his childhood nickname made Tae rise his eyes again as he smirks.

-''Wanna bet?''

That made V grin widely. – ''You will lose, brother.''

-''Only if you cast some crazy spell, wizard.''

-''Wizards don't exist. I'm...we are not wizards Tae.''

-''Whatever...''

-''Let me try.'' – V raised his hands to cup his brother's face once more and bring their foreheads together. Tae hummed quietly at the contact as he closed his eyes, sighing deeply.

V's newly awaken magic surged through his veins, filling him with power. He dared not to use it otherwise, except for that angry outburst in the dungeons, but Tae gave him grounding. He felt safe with him. V took a deep breath and tentatively imagine sending his energy into Tae, trying to connect. He felt his magic seeking his twin. He was incomplete without him. Tae gasped when he felt something emanating from V, which made his fine hair on his neck raise. He shuddered, opening his eyes wide.

-''I can feel it...the magic... or whatever...yours I mean... not mine...''

-''Yours is sleeping, it needs to wake up Tae.'' – V still tried to concentrate, but it was fruitless. Tae was too restless for that. He sighed and frowned. – ''I guess we should try again later when you are less distracted.

-''You mean to tell me that you just lost?'' – Tae grinned. V just shook his head.

-''No...the bet is still on Tae. You just need time.''

-''We don't have a time V.'' – Tae said, standing up and glancing at Jin. – ''You should better concentrate on your own magic, how to control it V because that thing in the dungeons looked uncontrolled.''

-''It was under control.'' – V hissed quietly.

-''Sure sure...'' – Tae said and sat to the chair opposite. V looked at their Hyung again, lost in the thought of what to do.

⊱☯⊰

A few days later and countless tries to reason with Namjoon failed. V even tried to affect him with his newly discovered magic, but since he, as Tae put it, failed to control it, the attempts were stopped until further notice. Namjoon's experience and his age gave him the great upper hand over V, but Jiyong still believed that he was the only one equal in magical strength as the mage.

Mages and witches were the creatures of the old times and magic was rare, almost forgotten. The creatures now days were not as powerful as before since they were hunted down and killed in the past. Namjoon hid his magic very well, but there were still some people that knew about it and were afraid. His grandfather's reputation protected him as Jin protected the twins. Historians called them ''the ones with tinted blood'' while others spoke about destiny ''written in blood''. V studied the old scrolls Jiyong so gladly bestowed upon him, that he barely had time for anything else. He did saw others daily but didn't linger in their company as he had to crack the riddle of how to awake his Hyung.

The others were still there in Dragon's den, as Yoongi called it, enjoying the Count's hospitality and trying to make themselves useful. Yoongi found his common ground with Heechul, the pirate, who besides being a pirate, was a very skilled poisoner. They shared tips and had long discussions with one another. Yoongi didn't go to see Namjoon yet. The relationship the two shared in the past was much more complicated. Yoongi needed plenty of time to compose his stirred emotions, especially because Jin was involved. He didn't want to give Namjoon the satisfaction of knowing just how shaken Yoongi was at the sight of lifeless Jin.

The Marquise and Hoseok could be often found drinking wine and talking, with sly and naughty smirks on their faces, while Jimin and Jungkook spend most of their time practicing swordfight. Jungkook, an apt pupil, learned the difficult maneuvers that Jimin was showing him, grinning widely at each other. Tae was so pissed and confused at this new friendship but didn't say anything at first, sensing there was probably some deeper meaning in it. He did breach that topic one night though when they went to bed.

-''I don't know how to feel about you and Jimin.'' – Kook's eyebrows furrowed at Tae's words.

-''What do you mean Tae?''

-''You and Jimin...you're...you are so close all of a sudden...why?'' – Tae murmured and Kook sighed.

-''We just understand each other that's all. He...he isn't so bad once you get to know him, you know.''

Tae grimaced at those words. – ''Trust me I know him pretty well.''

-''I don't think his behavior towards you were good at all Tae, moreover, I still want to break his neck for every touch and hungry stare he ever threw your way, but if you look past that he....he isn't so different from the rest of us. He is brave and possesses a strong mental strength.

-''What happened with you two in that prison.'' – They did tell them all about the fight and locked experience, carefully avoiding Jimin's nightmares and his past. Jungkook promised he won't say a word, even to Tae and he trod carefully around the subject because of it. He did think that Tae should know, that it would help him see Jimin in another light, but Jimin was stubborn about it, so he kept his promise to keep it a secret.

-''Nothing, we just had a lot of time to practice our self-control not to kill one another and when we reached that objective we begin to talk. Five days is a hell of a lot of time to spent locked in silence.''

-''You didn't... I mean, he didn't...force himself on you, didn't he?'' – Tae barely managed to spill the question that was bothering him ever since he saw how close the two men are.

Jungkook laughed. – ''No Tae we didn't have sex. We just talked for five days I swear.'

Tae's shoulders relaxed and he took a deep sigh. – ''I'm sorry Kookie. It was so bad of me to even think that, I'm sorry.''

-''Sweet fool, as I would ever desire anyone but you.'' – Kook kissed his cheek, but Tae pouted.

-''Jimin is hot. He is an asshole, but a hot one, I'll give him that.'' – Tae said, looking at the ground. – ''I had a serious crush on him when I was thirteen.'' – He said. Jungkook's doe eyes widen at that information, his inner jealously stirring. – ''Did you?''

Tae chuckled. – ''Yes it was a long time ago. He was my first crush, but he was such a jerk and I got hurt. I never told him though. He laughed at me and teased me constantly, so I started to avoid him as much as I could since he was with V almost every day. With time crush grew into displeasure and annoyance. I even thought that he liked V more than a friend back then, but even to this day I never found out the real nature of their friendship. They are weird.''

Jungkook listened quietly, setting the puzzle pieces back to their place, finally having the whole picture. Well, almost the whole. Jimin began acting like a jerk towards Tae at the same time his father assaulted him for the first time. The idea of romance was far away from Jimin's mind at that time and if he sensed Tae's attraction towards him, he ignored it. In time things changed, but Tae, protective of his heart, never opened up towards him, especially when Jimin started paying attention to him. What the two felt towards each other was completely different. While one wanted only sex, the other wanted love. Maybe the things would have been different if Jimin's childhood wasn't spoiled with indifference and molestation. Maybe the two boys would find the common ground in love and friendship from an early age, but alas, destiny played her cards cruelly, causing pain for both of them. Jungkook can't feel so sorry though since it did bring Tae to him.

Now, however, things started to change. The once easy life he had imagined with Tae for this short time they were together, filled him with worry. He could sense big things are about to happen. V returned changed very much and Junkook even starts sensing a slight change in Tae's aura as well. He didn't know whether or not Tae is just mirroring the energy his twin or is he changing inside himself. After hearing and seeing things in Count's home, Jungkook began to believe in the fairy tales from the old times, especially if there were connected with witches. Tae and his brother did sound like they could be ones...at least in some percentage, but he didn't dare to utter those thoughts to his lover. Tae was worried and uncharacteristically snappy for the past few days if anyone mention magic and Kook tried his best to calm him down. Seeing yet another worried expression on his face made Jungkook reach out and kiss him on the mouth, wrapping his strong arms around him and pulling him into his embrace.

-''Let's not talk about Jimin right now.'' – He murmured into Tae's lips and kissed him deeper, deciding to enjoy moments like these until they last. Who knows how many would they have in the future. He sent all of his love and desire to the kiss, cupping Tae's face lovingly as he squeezed him tightly. He wanted to tell him how much he means to him, how much happiness he brings and just how much he makes his heart flutter by a single kiss. The pleasurable hum came from the back of Tae's throat and Jungkook smiled into a kiss. That was all the answer he needed.

⊱☯⊰

V spent the majority of his time with Jiyong and Seunghyun in the dragon's study, discussing and learning. The Count proved worthy senpai, even though he lacked the magic V had, he was still powerful in knowledge.

V hasn't seen enough of Hoseok as he should. The minstrel, perceptive by nature, sensed the difficult time and need for concentration, so he left him be for a while. Besides the few kisses, they didn't spend much time together as they should. V hated the fact that things got so crazy so fast and only after he finally acknowledges his emotions and attraction towards the redhead man. He did, however, notice the gleam in Hoseok's eyes every time he sees Yoongi, who avoided the redhead man from the beginning. He avoided V as well. The fourth day though V went in search of Hoseok, only to be surprised when he didn't found him in any known locations where minstrel usually dwelled. Passing by Yoongi's room, his thoughts had navigated towards his grumpy Hyung and he found himself walking towards the improvised workshop Yoongi set in one of Jiyong basements. He entered the room, but it was empty. He almost turned to leave when a quiet sound made him tilt his head towards it. He looked around better and discovered a slightly opened door on the opposite corner of the room.

As he came nearer, the sounds were more audible. The storage room was big, dimly lighted and filled with barrels, crates, and sacks. V went silently in, his eyes still adjusting to the darkness when he saw them, the two silhouettes near the wall, between two sets of crates.

-"I fucking h-hate maaaah...minstrels..." - Yoongi's voice groaned tightly, followed by heavy panting.

V came closer to the corner careful not to make a sound when a very familiar voice spoke with a dark chuckle.

-"Oh yes... they could be quite obnoxious..." - There was humor in Hoseok's voice. -"But most of us hide their true self behind it..."

V was now able to recognize the two men in the shadows. Hoseok stood, his back facing V, fingers wrapped around Yoongi's cock as he jerked his wrist up and down, inhaling Yoongi's scent, while the latter whimpered, leaning on the wall behind him. Both of his hands were weakly pressed above his head by Hoseok. V almost groaned at the splendid sight. He always had a weird obsession with Yoongi and Hoseok was, well, he was his. Seeing those two together triggered his arousal in such a manner that he was fully hard in mere seconds.

-"A lot of y-you are p-plain liars....oh...and...aaaaah...and thieves...I h-hate minstrels."- Yoongi barely breathed, body shaking as he was close.

-"Awww Hyung... but I don't think you hate me now hmmm?" - Hoseok asked wickedly. -"Not when you enjoy my fingers around your cock so nicely."

Yoongi moaned and muttered quietly. -"You are the worst of them all."

Hoseok laughed quietly, quickening his hand. -"That's true, but in a different sense. I wonder if you would let me show you which one?"

Just then Hoseok turned his head and looked directly at V as if he knew he was there from the beginning. His grin widened. The surge of arousal that was already flooding V's body was not intensified ten times more.

-"We would love to show you Hyung if you let us.

Yoongi who had his head tossed back and his eyes closed in the bliss, jerked it back to look at Hoseok sharply and then following his eyes, squinted into the darkness behind them.

-"Us?"

-"Mhm..." - Hoseok nodded, looking back at Yoongi, eyes shining something dark and erotic and it made Yoongi's knees shake.

-"Would you want that darling?" - V silently groaned at those words. The answer is yes, of course, he wanted Yoongi again. He wanted to show Hoseok just how beautifully he could make Yoongi moan and whimper. All of his screams and trembles.

Hoseok quirked his head slightly to the right and Yoongi knew that question wasn't meant for him. Out from the darkness came the one man who scared him and made him hard as hell at the same time.

-"Oh hell no." - Yoongi groaned at the sight of V. Hoseok chuckled, tilting his head some more as he spoke in amusement.

-"He reacts perfectly to you my darling. His cock twitched so much when he saw you." - He squeezed Yoongi more tightly, stroking him fervently, making Yoongi buckle his hips more into his hand as he stared at V's icy blue eyes who came closer and now had his arm wrapped around Hoseok's waist, his mouth kissing at minstrel's neck as he stared back at Yoongi.

Yoongi felt flush even more. He thrusts more and more into Hoseok's hand needing more friction, almost choking when V's hand joined in and stroke his balls, making Yoongi moan breathily, eyes closing in the ecstasy as he spilled his seeds all over their hands.

-"Oh, I would love that." - V purred seductively into Hoseok's ear. – ''You always knew how to turn me on you devil.'' – He nibbled at Hoseok's lobe, making him giggle mischievously.

-''I know your kinks as well as you know mine darling.'' – Hoseok said, pecking V on the mouth before looking back at Yoongi... -" And I think Yoongi would like that too." - He added, grinning widely, releasing the man's hands, which fell down weakly. V looked at Yoongi's post-orgasmic figure, his dark half-lidded eyes and his spent cock who began to move again under the blonde man's gaze. V chuckled. – ''Oh yes, I think he would. – V said and came closer. He heard small, barely audible... -"Fuck you"... from Yoongi, which made him chuckle. -"Oh, I will." – He said and was surprised when Yoongi crashed their lips together, murmuring hungrily. - ''Oh yes you will.''

The three of them had fun that night several times, not knowing that there was one person close by, listening to it all, gritting his teeth and fighting his urge to storm inside and take Yoongi away from them, trying to ignore the fact that Yoongi enjoyed it all a bit too much.

-''You know it's not right to listen to other people's intimate pleasures.'' – The voice spoke somewhere behind, making the man jerked in alarm as Heechul came behind the corner. He stood, smiling, cocking his head aside. – ''Although I must say they do sound quite hot. I don't blame you for listening, but...'' – He paused, tilting his head on another side as his eyes squint lightly to assess the man in front of him. – ''...I don't think you enjoying that much...considering your pained face.''

As the other man kept his silence, Heechul spoke again casually. – ''How about you join me for a cup or two. I've heard that Dragon has some excellent brandy.''

Jimin thought for a second or two before a quite sinister moan came from the inside of the room. He sighed deeply, closing his eyes. He knew that he didn't have any claim over Yoongi. He never spoke to him about it. He wasn't even sure himself of what exactly he is feeling. All he did know is that after the talk with Jungkook and everything that happened he didn't continue to obsessively pursue Tae anymore. He liked him still yes, that was true, but he knew now that the love for him wasn't real. Well, not real enough. Jimin needed something else, he needed the grounding. His new discovered feelings for Yoongi were more mysterious and strong. Jimin felt safe with Yoongi and that was one of the most important things to him. Great sex and the fact that they can talk about everything for a long time was only a bonus to that. In his pursuit of Taehyung, Jimin failed to see what's been under his nose the entire time. The very thing he needed.

Knowing that V would just take Yoongi for pleasure again, made Jimin filled with jealousy. He knew that deep down Yoongi was weak for V, as they all were. V was something special. He had no idea how much before. Both of them, Tae and V...Assassins...all this time...damn...and Seokjin Hyung too...not in his wildest dreams would he imagine that, but in some strange way it did make sense, all of it. Jimin was surprised, but not too shocked. V was always cold and dangerously calm. Jimin noticed from countless accouters before when he was in a tight spot, V would always scare away even the biggest brute with only his stare and scary smirk. Jimin knew V's soul, even though he didn't know his secrets. They were soulmates after all. What one lacked, others had. They completed one another.

Tae on the other side was the biggest shock. During the years, Jimin learned not to underestimate the darker twin, but in all of his idolization of him, he failed to see what's right under his nose, since Tae was the probably the most humane of them all. His view of life and care for living beings was unique, as it was the way he could warm up V's heart in a second. He never saw the soft and warm expression on V's face with anyone else, but Tae, when they share one of their special moments of family intimacy in the security of their home, in which Jimin was always welcomed. In a way, Jimin was deeply honored to be allowed to witness those moments and V's soft side. Jimin thought that was the moment he started desiring Tae, wanting, in some strange way of his, to be looked at and addressed with the same love and care as V was by his brother, but only with more physical intimacy. In all his life Jimin never had love, was never cared and loved with honesty. Sure, both males and females would proclaim their love to him, but he knew it was his popularity and charisma that drew them to him and not he himself. Jimin never shows them his true self. He was never close with anyone in that way to tell them about his past and horrors he survived. Not even V. Jimin hated the idea of V looking at him differently. Perhaps he might be wrong, but in his insecurity, Jimin could never make himself brave enough to open that subject up. He thought that Tae would be different, but Tae avoided him and Jimin didn't know why. The moment with Jungkook though was a complete accident, but it turned out not so bad at the end. The young knight did look at him differently though but in a more admiring way. There was never pity in Junkook's eyes, only a silent low key rage whenever someone mentions Jimin's father.

As for Seokjin Hyung, Jimin always suspected that under that wealthy merchant persona he was wearing was something much darker. Jin Hyung was always polite and charming and Jimin liked him very much. He of all people would know the best what is like to hide your true self and dark secrets while presenting to the world as carefree and happy. Jimin understood that maybe too perfectly. Haven't he done the same thing his entire life? Jimin thoughts went to his Hyung, wondering if he would ever wake up. He cursed Namjoon for doing that to him. And that bastard was smiling, the nerve.

Jimin knew that Namjoon was dangerous, but so was V. He was maybe the only one who could face him, which made entire ordeal with Yoongi even worse. He knew that V would never hurt Yoongi that much, but still. He didn't know Hoseok well enough, however, he didn't trust the man enough. Under all that, shiny and cheerful personality lay darkness, since no one remotely sane, in Jimin's humble opinion, could have V completely smitten and swirled around his little finger, as Hoseok could. Ever since he saw Hoseok's eyes for the first time he felt his seductive power and knew that he was very dangerous. Maybe in a completely different and more twisted way than V himself, but still, Hoseok proved to be a perfect fit for his best friend. Not for Yoongi though. Jimin just hoped that they would leave him alone after this night. Remembering what happened the last time Yoongi was in V's hands, Jimin made a mental note to check up on him tomorrow morning. It could be even worse now since he suspected that Hoseok wasn't gentle at all.

He sighed deeply again, opening his eyes to see expecting pirate leaned on the opposite wall. He had no idea when he came so close so fast and without a sound, but then again he did take his time considering his proposition. By now he learned that everyone in this mansion was peculiar and strange, but strangely not so impatient. He didn't felt danger from Heechul, not right now anyway and he was so emotionally tired of the entire ordeal that he just nodded, saying quietly.

-''Yes, I think I would like some brandy.'' – Heechul grinned, murmuring. – ''Perfect.'' – Nudging his head towards the door and motioning for him to follow. Jimin, reluctantly went after he tossed another look at the closed door behind which the orgy was raging. He huffed once more, silently cursing V and that damn minstrel to the grave for touching what's his. Yoongi was his, he always was his. It took him a while to understand that, but now he knew. He wanted to protect him and to be protected by him at the same time. He needed his calmness and his brutal honesty. He needed his cuddles and gentle nuzzling. He needed Yoongi and dammit he will have him.