Wicked Fox (Gumiho #1)(101)

“If she finds out I let you go so easily, she might come after me.”

“Then you better run.”

Junu sighed, like he’d expected that answer. His hand clamped around her wrist. “I can’t let you leave this hospital. And you’re in no state to fight me.”

Miyoung twisted to free herself, but Junu was right. He still had his superhuman strength, and she was as weak as a child. Still, she had her wits and her desperation. Still cuffed by Junu’s hand, she bit the fleshy part of his palm.

With a shout of pain, he let go and she darted past him. But Junu was still too fast and he caught her, holding her in place.

“If you just stop fighting, it’ll be easier for you. Let your mother retrieve your bead and forget all of this.”

“No!” she shouted, clawing at his arms.

Then Junu let out a surprised yelp and his arms loosened as he was dragged away. Miyoung twisted out of his grip to see Somin pulling Junu back by his hair.

“Let go!” He tried to break free, but Somin’s grip must have been like iron because he only screamed again. Tears of pain sprang to his eyes.

“Well, I’m not sure what kind of argument you two are having. But I don’t like to see you manhandling my friend,” Somin said.

My friend. Miyoung lifted her brows at the words.

“This is none of your business,” Junu said through gritted teeth. He was bent low at the waist now, as Somin was so short and refused to let go of his hair.

“That’s the problem. I can’t seem to keep myself from getting involved in Miyoung’s business. I’m nosy like that.” Somin shrugged.

“Miyoung? Somin? What’s going on here?” Detective Hae asked as he approached them, his eyes taking in the scene.

“Ajeossi,” Somin said, finally releasing Junu and shoving her hands behind her back like she was hiding evidence.

“Young man, I think you should get going,” Detective Hae said, pushing his blazer back in a way that clearly revealed his badge. Miyoung wondered if he practiced the move to get it just right.

Junu’s eyes shifted back and forth between the detective and Miyoung.

“This is not worth what I’m getting paid,” he said. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” With that he stormed away.

“Is one of you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“We can’t find Jihoon,” Somin said.

“What?” Detective Hae’s eyes shot to Miyoung as if for confirmation.

“She’s back. She has him.”

Detective Hae’s face became stony, and Miyoung knew he understood her meaning. “Come on, I have my car.”

“Wait!” Somin called out. “What’s going on? Someone took him? How do you know?”

“I just do,” Miyoung said impatiently. “Wait here—we’ll find him.”

“How?” Somin demanded.

“I have a way,” Miyoung said. The line of red still shone beside her, pulsing with urgency.

“What way?” Somin asked, a stubborn frown settling on her face.

Miyoung glanced at the detective, but he shrugged.

“I can’t—”

“I have a right to know,” Somin said. “Please.” The whispered word was scared, almost desperate.

“Somin, what I’m about to say will sound ridiculous, but it’s true and you have to believe me.” Miyoung took a breath, then plunged headfirst into her confession. “I’m not human. Not fully.”

Somin laughed but sobered when Miyoung didn’t join in. “Okay, what are you?”

Miyoung hesitated. She’d never said it outright before, not like this, but she didn’t have time to think of the right words. She’d take a page from Jihoon’s book and be blunt. “A gumiho. So is my mother. Jihoon said you grew up with him, heard the same stories his halmeoni told. That means some part of you must have believed once. I’m going to depend on that part of you and ask you to trust me here. Jihoon has something my mother wants, and if she has her way, he could die.”

Somin stared at Miyoung a moment, her mouth hanging open. It was frustrating that Miyoung couldn’t read the other girl’s reaction. She looked past Miyoung, toward Detective Hae, who gave a slight nod.

“Okay then,” Somin said. “Bring him back safe.”

Miyoung frowned. She’d asked for Somin’s trust, but she realized now she hadn’t really been expecting it.

“I’ll make sure Jihoon doesn’t get hurt,” Miyoung promised.

“And you,” Somin said.

“What?”

“Make sure you don’t get hurt either.”

“Miyoung, we have to go,” Detective Hae called from his car. Miyoung jogged to join him and slid into the passenger seat. As the car sped off, she pressed the heel of her hand against her ribs and watched Somin in the rearview mirror until she became a small speck in the distance.

“Where are we going?” Detective Hae said, drawing her attention to the road.

“Turn left up here,” Miyoung directed, using the curve of the red thread to guide them.

“We’ll get Jihoon back.”

“And my mother.” Miyoung looked at the detective. He watched her with kind eyes, laying a reassuring hand over hers. And though she hadn’t fully forgiven him yet, she gripped his hand. She needed the comfort right now.