“If you force my hand, Eunji, the Sentinels or any other security you call will find remnants of your precious plants being smuggled out in Mighty Leaf packaging, courtesy of my sister.”
Eunny stared at her mother. “What?”
Bioon’s smile was pitying. “You know, Yeri would probably admit to it, if she thought it would help me.”
“You— She isn’t even involved in this!” Eunny hissed. “You’d go down, too.”
“My employers would take care of me.” Bioon’s tone cooled. “My sister would not be so fortunate. Or do you want to take that chance?”
A part of her wanted to call her mother’s bluff, but Eunny thought of Yerina, so desperate for any semblance of familial affection between them. How she continued to write to her sister, dismissing Bioon’s constant snubs and always offering up her heart. Maybe they could prove Yerina’s innocence, but not before it caused problems for the Mighty Leaf. Bioon would sully the tearoom’s name, interfere with trade contracts, and that was presuming Yerina wasn’t hauled down to Central for any legal proceedings. Not to mention the damage it would cause between the sisters. For one short, savage moment, Eunny considered it, wondering if such a betrayal would finally make her aunt see the truth.
She couldn’t do it.
“Why do you even want them? The plants are fucking dying anyway. What good are they to you?”
Bioon said nothing.
“They’re from the delegation. I remember the seeds. What is the Coalition doing?—”
“I did warn you not to meddle in Coalition affairs,” Bioon murmured. “You should’ve known to leave well enough alone. The Coalition is very protective of its property.”
“They don’t belong to you,” Eunny snarled. “They were part of the Eyllic deal, right? Isn’t that why you had me test them? And since the delegation went to shit, I imagine the Sentinels would dispute your claims.”
“They’re welcome to try.”
The mocking smile on her mother’s lips made Eunny want to scream. Or slap it from her face. It filled her with such rage that her hands shook as she fisted them at her sides. “I won’t let you get away with this.”
“Oh?”
Eunny summoned a mocking smile of her own. “You missed a spot.” Maybe. She couldn’t remember what had happened to the sole remaining cutting after she’d fled from Trunk. But Bioon didn’t know that. She thought her Coalition goons had already cleared out the place. “Return the plants, or I’ll?—”
“Turn them over to me willingly, and this all goes away,” Bioon said, tone cold but unwavering. “Force my hand and it will go badly.”
“Just try it. You might’ve been able to sneak into the most unused greenhouse, but let’s see the might of the Coalition try and invade Sylveren University,” Eunny taunted.
“Don’t be ridiculous. The Coalition owns everything from the delegation, including goods brought by the Eyllics. They will get them, Eunji. They can assert the Law of Eminence and get the Lower Council to order your surrendering possession if they must, and the university will comply. Relinquish your plants without fuss”—Bioon gave her a contemptuous look—“or they will be taken from you, and you can say goodbye to Yeri and her pathetic tea shop.”
“You hateful bitch.”
Bioon stared at her in silence for a long moment. Her eyes pressed closed, nostrils flaring as she inhaled, shoulders tensing.
Eunny fought to keep herself still. Would this be the time her mother finally yelled back? They’d fought all Eunny’s life, but Bioon cut with scorn, not volume. Eunny was the one who yelled and screamed. Tantrums were beneath her mother. Or perhaps one needed to care more, to feel more, to have those kinds of feelings and fights. Doubtless, her mother had been called worse by people whose opinions actually mattered to her.
Bioon tossed her ripped half of the plant drawing aside as she swept toward the loft’s door. “I’ve given you your options. My colleagues will be on the next windrunner up here. Make your choice or one will be made for you.”
Eunny wasn’t sure how long she stood staring at the blank space where her mother had been. With numb fingers, she retrieved the paper, crumpling it into a ball before stuffing it in her pocket. She slowly followed the same trail Bioon had taken, hesitating outside the Mighty Leaf’s back door. The warmth and sounds of merriment were too much for her mood right now.
A form paused beyond the door’s window, then Auntie Yerina appeared in the doorway. “Eunny! I didn’t know you were here. Your mother just?—”
Eunny didn’t know what her face looked like, but it couldn’t have been good. Yerina hurried forward, arms wrapping around her shoulders.
“Eunny. I’m sorry. Whatever it was, give her time. She’ll come around and?—”
Same old Yerina, coming to her hateful little sister’s defense. Not even questioning what Bioon had done, or how Bioon contributed to the perennial fights and acrimony always brewing between mother and daughter. No, Yerina was always playing peacemaker, endeavoring for Eunny to be better, more understanding. Never a word spoken against Bioon, ever. Yerina made such an easy target that it was no wonder Bioon took advantage. Bioon was probably right in thinking that Yerina would shoulder the blame, too; anything for her precious sister, no matter how undeserving she was. And Eunny passively went along, Bioon pulling her strings, too.
Eunny shrugged out of her aunt’s embrace. “Are you serious? She’s always been like this. She’s a fucking bitch who?—”
“She’s your mother, Eunny,” Yerina said in a pained voice. “I know she can be cold. I know that, but she’ll?—”
