Hailey and Jihun burst out laughing, and I can’t help joining in. Life is a dumpster fire, but these guys are ... all right.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“We could’ve gone back to the Mortal Realm days ago if it weren’t for those dickheads,” I seethe.
I should be relieved the council finally scheduled an audience for us, but I can’t get past my frustration that they kept me from Ethan for this long. What if he’s hurt? Or worse? I inhale through my nose until my chest expands.Come on, Yellow. Be the spiteful asshole you’re meant to be.I exhale slowly through my mouth.I will find him. There’s still time.
“That’s not necessarily true, although I tend to agree with your assessment of the council—my great-uncle excepted. Minju needed time to research the sacred ashes,” Jihun says, annoying me with his logic. “Speaking of which, Hailey said she might have found something at the imperial library. We’ll talk to them after the audience.”
Busy muttering under my breath, I don’t notice Jihun stop and walk right past him. He shoots out a hand to grab my arm and tugs me back to his side.
“We’re here,” he says.
Hereis apparently the Celestial Palace. I was so worried about Ethan that I didn’t even notice we’d arrived. The palace’s enormous gates are flanked by two soldiers with long, menacing spears. When we step toward them, they extend their spears to form a giantXacross the gates. Jihun withdraws an emblem of glowing white stone from hissleeve and holds it up to the guards. They click their heels and pull back their spears, then the gates open for us.
If Jihun’s opulent estate is Disneyland, then the palace is Disney World. My eyes bug out as he takes assured steps onto the palace grounds. It’s basically a walled city reminiscent of the Vatican, with miles and miles of land filled with stunning hanok structures of all shapes and sizes and scenic greenery.
All this—the Realm of Four Kingdoms, the Kingdom of Sky, the Celestial Palace, the Council of the Suhoshin, theShinbiin—all of it is intimidating.Iam intimidated. I don’t like how little prepared I am for any of it. Like there’s a gaping hole in my education. In my mother’s teachings.
“Is there anything I should know before we go in?” I ask when we stop in front of a stand-alone hanok with sentries by the stairs.
“Just follow my lead, and let me do the talking.” He holds my gaze, obviously trying to impart the importance of my cooperation.
“Consider it done.” I smirk with forced confidence. I might be intimidated, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let anyone see it.
Despite the hanji windows lining the walls, the meeting hall is dark and somber. Maybe it’s because of the air of the five men sitting at the long table facing us. General Bak and a male to his left look to be the oldest—around thirtysomething in human years. The rest appear to be in their late twenties, a few years older than Jihun. But the expressions on their faces make them all look like grumpy old men.
When Jihun bows from the waist, Ifollow his leadand bow as well. I straighten to find five sets of curmudgeonly eyes on me. I lower my eyes to my hands clasped in front of me, resisting the urge to glare right back at them.
“My lords, have any of you ever seen a gumiho before? She certainly is as enticing as they are rumored to be,” one of the younger males says, an avaricious lilt in his voice. My head snaps up as a cold shudder slithers down my back. Jihun stiffens next to me.
“Yes, Lord Gweon,” the male to the general’s left answers in a booming, self-important voice. “It’s been over five hundred years, but I have seen her kind before. As you say, they are alluring.”
Five hundred years?I haven’t fully processed that the Shinbiin are immortal for all points and purposes. I’d believed that the gods blessed the Suhoshin with near immortality because they risked their lives upholding justice in the worlds. But these males? What did they do to deserve immortality? What did any of the Shinbiin do to deserve it?
“There are reasons whycreatureslike her are not allowed into the Realm of Four Kingdoms.” One of the males sneers, not bothering to hide his disgust. “She might be using her vile magic on us now.”
I bite my cheeks to keep my fury in check. Jihun stretches his finger to brush the back of my hand.
“Lord Choe,” General Bak interjects with a disapproving frown. “I believe only Lord Nam and I are old enough to remember the true reasons.”
“May I propose we save this fascinating conversation for another time and proceed with the audience?” A pretty-faced male waves a graceful hand and nods at Jihun. “Captain Song, please introduce the applicant to the council.”
“Thank you, Lord Yoon.” Jihun straightens to his full height, linking his hands behind his back. “This is Cho Mihwa. She seeks permission to participate in next year’s trial. She is a gumiho of extraordinary strength and powers. I believe she will be an asset to the Order of the Suhoshin.”
I sneak a sideways glance at him.Extraordinary strength and powers?
“This is unheard of,” Lord Choe says with an ugly snarl.
“Itisrather unusual.” Lord Gweon turns his creepy gaze on me again.
“The rarity of the situation does not make it unlawful. The Code of the Realm is clear on the subject,” General Bak says. “Any and allbeingsof the Shingae may apply to join the Order of the Suhoshin. We have no lawful basis to deny the application.”
Lord Nam shoots the general a disgruntled frown. “But how do we know she is trustworthy?”
“I petition to be her sponsor, my lords.” Jihun doesn’t seem the least bit cowed by the blustering officials in the room. “Now the question becomes whether the council trustsme.”
“You risk a great deal.” Lord Yoon cocks his head to the side like a curious bird.
