I clear my throat. “Hi.”
Jihun tsks impatiently. “Any luck tracking down Daeseong’s location?”
“None whatsoever.” Jaeseok pouts as he drapes himself into a chair next to Hailey. “I haven’t even been able to flush out the creep in the yellow unitard.”
I dart a glance at Jihun. “But Ethan ...”
“Focus on the assassin.” He keeps his gaze trained on Jaeseok. “He’s our best bet for now.”
I understand his strategy. If they find the yellow assassin, they’ll find Ethan. Unless Ethan already killed Yellow and is facing off with Daeseong alone ...Stop it, Sunny.These guys are the Suhoshin. They’ll find Ethan before the dingus gets himself killed.
“Aye-aye, Captain,” Jaeseok says with a jaunty salute. Then he turns to me with a lazy smile that raises the temperature in the room. “So tell me, Sunny. Where have you been hiding all my life?”
I fight to hold back a giggle. I would’ve had to kill everyone in the room if that giggle escaped. Instead, I arch an eyebrow and look down my nose at the sexy dokkaebi. “Far, far away, where your cheesy pickup lines would never reach me.”
“Ouch.” Jaeseok grabs his chest like he’s been wounded, but he’s grinning from ear to ear. He turns to Hailey and says, “I like her.”
“I know,” she squeals. “She’ll fit right in.”
I fidget in my seat, not knowing what to do with their ready acceptance of me.
“Captain.” Minju bursts into the study, out of breath.
Jaeseok shoots to his feet and gapes at the historian, his smooth confidence nowhere in sight. “Min ... Minju. Hey ... hi.”
Minju passes him with a mumbled hello and comes to stand in front of Jihun. “Captain, I need access to the imperial library. I’ve exhausted our resources at the headquarters’ library.”
“Have you found a lead?” He rises to his feet.
“I can’t say yet.” Her eyes flit to mine, then away. “I think I might have found one, but I need to confirm something first.”
“Right now?” Jihun glances warily out at the night sky. “The palace will be locking down soon.”
“Now,” Minju says. “It’s important.”
“I agree.” My pulse picks up. “If she’s close to something, she should keep searching.”
Every day the answer eludes us is another day spent away from the Mortal Realm. Away from Ethan. I don’t even remember why I was angry with him. It all seems like a misunderstanding a long conversation could solve. I just want to be with him.We’re coming. Please stay safe until then.
Jihun frowns but summons a brush and black ink with a flick of his fingers. The historian hovers next to him, peering over his shoulders.
“Come on, Minju.” Hailey tugs her down into an empty seat beside her. She takes a small bundle from her bag and unwraps a handkerchief, revealing pieces of sweet rice cakes. She picks one up and holds it in front of the other female’s mouth. “Eat.”
The historian’s eyes don’t stray from the letter granting her access to the imperial library, but she obediently opens her mouth and eats the rice cake. When she’s done, she opens her mouth again, and Hailey pops in another one. Jaeseok watches the oddly sweet scene with intense concentration, his lips softly parted.
When Jihun finishes the letter and stamps his insignia on it, Minju jumps to her feet and grabs the paper out of his hand. She takes a step toward the door but turns back abruptly.
“Hailey, those rice cakes are really good,” she mumbles, a blush spreading across the bridge of her nose. “You should get some for Sunny.”
Before any of us can say anything, the historian rushes out the door and into the night. Hailey and Jaeseok—and even Jihun—share wide-eyed glances, then they all turn to stare at me.
“I guess Minju likes her, too,” Hailey says with something like wonder.
“Ilike rice cakes,” Jaeseok mutters.“Hey, you should get some rice cakes for Jaeseok too. He’s such a cool guy.”
“Here.” Jihun grabs the last of the rice cakes and tosses it to the other male. “Here’s your rice cake.”
Jaeseok ducks his head to catch it in his mouth and chews sullenly. “Thanks.”
