“We did not part in the best of ways,” Yongwang mutters darkly. “He might not want to have anything to do with us.”
“That is why I must share mygiwith this child. Only she can go to Dangun.” The god of Heavens steps close to me. “He will listen to her. Hemustlisten to her and help us right our wrongs.”
There they go with thewrongsagain.What wrongs?I open my mouth to ask, but the gods aren’t done yapping yet.
“Canwe right our wrongs?” Anguish lines Yeomla’s words. “Can we be ... forgiven?”
“No, we cannot be forgiven.” Hwanin deflates before our eyes. “But I grow weary of running from the guilt. Do you not? This time, we can choose to do the right thing.”
“There will be consequences.” Yongwang runs an unsteady hand through his hair. “Consequences that cannot be undone.”
“And those consequences will be our salvation,” Hwanin says.
What consequences?
“With all due respect,” I snap, my nerves stretched taut, “what the fuck are you guys talking about?”
Silence descends on us like a soaked blanket. When every shocked gaze zeroes in on me, the blood drains from my face.
I might have gone too far.
“You know,” Yeomla observes wryly, flicking invisible dirt off his red robe, “saying ‘with all due respect’ does not make what you just said respectful.”
My breath wheezes out of me.
“Yes, quite.” Yongwang’s lips quirk in a ghost of a smile. “We would smite you on the spot if you weren’t so essential.”
“Uh, thank you?” Ithinkhe’s joking. It’s a tiny bit reassuring that the gods have a sense of humor. “Wh-what happens now?”
“Are you ready to receive my life force?” the god of Heavens asks almost kindly.
“I ...” My terrified gaze shoots to Ethan. He squeezes my hand, nodding once, and I take a steadying breath. “I am ready, Lord Hwanin.”
“Stand back.” The god of Underworld flaps his flowing red sleeve at Hailey, Gyun, and Ethan. “The power they generate will burn you alive, starting with your eyes. Keep them closed. You cannot look at them until this is over. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Lord Yeomla,” Gyun answers.
Hailey sends a worried glance my way before consenting. “Yes.”
“And you?” Yeomla arches a perfect brow at Ethan.
“I will do as instructed”—Ethan narrows his eyes at the god of Underworld—“unless Sunny needs me. Then, I will do whatever is necessary to protect her.”
“Ethan—” I croak, preparing to beg him to stop.
“Are you asking me to do nothing even if you’re in danger?” He cuts me off, his voice as rough as gravel. “You cannot be so cruel.”
It would be cruel of me. I press my lips together to keep them from trembling. I can’t ask him to do something that I would never be able to do.
“I’ll stand back and keep my eyes shut.” He closes the distance between us. “But if you need me, you have to promise to ask for me. Please, Sunny.”
“I promise.” I nod, my heart bleeding for both of us.
“Thank you.” Ethan presses his forehead against mine, cradling the back of my head with his big, warm hand.
His unsteady sigh brushes against my lips, and I shift my weight to my toes. But before I can kiss him, he spins on his heels and joins Hailey and Gyun off to the side. It’s probably for the best because three somber-faced gods stand waiting for me.
I walk toward them, and the god of Heavens meets me halfway. “Are you able to summon the Yeoiju at will, child?”
