Wicked Fox (Gumiho #1)(20)

“I don’t like seeing people this early in the day—”

“It’s dinnertime,” Miyoung interrupted.

“Your point?” The boy sighed and shuffled away before she answered.

Miyoung glanced toward Nara, who shrugged, and they followed through the open door.

It felt like stepping through a portal to another world. Miyoung had expected a shabby room with stained concrete walls and dirt-covered floors like outside. Instead, they stood in a gleaming entryway. The walls were a shining white, made out of a material as smooth as glass. Marble floors were warm beneath their feet as they removed their shoes. Pristine-white guest slippers were lined up neatly, and Miyoung slipped into a pair.

They walked toward the sound of clanging into a kitchen made of granite and steel. The boy held a bag of coffee beans, glaring at a cappuccino machine so new she doubted it had ever been used.

“We need to see Junu. Do you know when he’ll be back?” Nara asked, taking the beans from the boy and pouring them into the grinder attached to the machine. It was just like the shaman to step in to help. Her biggest flaw, in Miyoung’s mind.

The boy scowled but deigned to hold out his cup to let Nara make him his espresso.

“What do you want from him?” He leaned against the counter in a pose that seemed styled for the pages of a magazine, Rumpled Pajamas Weekly.

“We need to purchase something from him. A talisman,” Nara explained as she twisted a knob. With a hiss, steaming espresso began pouring out.

“Why would a shaman need to buy a talisman when you could make it yourself?” the boy asked.

“You know I’m a shaman?” Nara stuttered.

“Girlie, you practically reek of ghosts.” He gestured up and down at her. “I say that with all the affection a guy can muster before his morning caffeine.”

Miyoung started to point out the time again, but gave up. “Can you tell us where Junu is or not?” she asked, her annoyance starting to get the better of her.

The boy accepted the espresso from Nara with a nod of thanks before downing it in one gulp.

“Well, now that he’s had his espresso, he’s right here.” The boy set the cup down and gave Miyoung a wink. She decided she didn’t trust this cocky boy.

“You’re Junu?” Nara looked incredulous as she gave the boy a once-over.

“Surprised?” He smiled warmly, unperturbed by Nara’s shock.

“I just didn’t think you’d look like this,” Nara said.

Miyoung had never known the shaman to be so blatantly rude, especially to someone senior.

The boy chuckled and flicked an affectionate finger under Nara’s chin. “You thought I’d be hairier? Maybe red-faced? Hunched over and smelly?”

“You’re a dokkaebi,” Miyoung said in an accusatory tone.

“At your service,” Junu said, giving a deep bow. Despite the ninety-degree angle, it felt more mocking than polite.

“What kind of dokkaebi looks like you?” Miyoung asked.

“The chonggak kind.”

“Those don’t exist.” Miyoung thought of the tales of bachelor goblins so handsome that lovers fell at their feet. They were rumored to be made for one thing: love.

“Like how gumiho don’t exist?” Junu ran a finger over Miyoung’s cheek. She balked. Junu grinned. Miyoung glowered. “Or should I say a half gumiho? Your human side is showing.”

She gritted her teeth and let out a growl.

“Oh, don’t be sour. Your human side is why you’re allowed inside my home. I’ve had . . . unhappy dealings with gumiho in the past.”

Miyoung did not like this boy, dokkaebi, whatever.

“We are looking for a talisman,” Nara said, pulling the attention of the room back to her. “I was told you could get it for us.”

“I am assuming it’s no ordinary talisman or else the granddaughter of Kim Hyunsook wouldn’t come to see me.”

“You know who my grandmother is?”

“It’s my business to know things,” Junu replied, his eyes sliding over to Miyoung. “Like how I know your mother is Gu Yena, one of the oldest gumiho I’ve ever had the honor of doing business with. Though this was long ago.”

“Was my mother the gumiho you had bad dealings with then?” Miyoung asked.

“Oh no, Yena knows the value of a good deal.” Junu let out a laugh before clarifying his joke. “She pays a lot of money. The best kind of client.”

“Well, we’re here because we need a gui talisman,” Nara specified.

Junu’s eyebrows rose. “Taoist? Are you trained in the practice?”

Miyoung took an instinctive step back at the mention of Taoism. There were ancient tales saying some Taoist sorcerers held as much power as the sun god, Haemosu.

Her mother had spoken of the practice only once, a warning never to go near Taoist magic. It hadn’t just been disdain in Yena’s command, but fear. Anything that scared her mother must be powerful. And dangerous.

“Why are we here for a—?” She paused to collect herself before continuing. “For that kind of talisman?”

“It opens one to receive,” Nara said pointedly.

Miyoung nodded in understanding. So it would allow her to open herself to the bead.