“I got it.” Marc relaxes, and his smile reaches his eyes as if I’m the most important person in the world. I really am paranoid to think that Marc would be a part of anything to do with Haemosu.
“Maybe since I can see this place, I can help you. Who was that guy?”
I lean back against the wall again. Can I trust him? Komo said not to tell a soul. But he knows already. He saw the whole thing. And what if he’s right? What if he can help me?
Marc reaches over and takes my hand. His fingers skim over where the bandages once were, and my skin tingles at his touch; but he stops at the golden bracelet. It has become a barrier between us.
“This bracelet has something to do with this, doesn’t it?”
“That bird you saw is a demigod who morphed into a bird. He put the bracelet on me. His name is Haemosu.”
“The five dragons.” Marc’s fingers intertwine with mine. “Of course. Haemosu is known to drive a chariot led by five dragons. The legends call his chariot Oryonggeo.”
So he does know a lot about mythology. “It’s so twisted, though. My mom always told me dragons bring good luck.”
“Sounds like Haemosu distorted everything. Why is he doing this to you?”
I pick up Marc’s book and fumble through it until I find the legend of Haemosu. “Do you know this story?” He nods. I continue, “My grandfather thinks the princess actually escaped and that Haemosu is still angry at her for leaving him. She’s supposedly my ancestor. He’s been kidnapping the firstborn girl in my family ever since. Komo believes he’s reliving the moment of courting Princess Yuhwa over and over again, hoping Yuhwa will change her mind and not leave him. Grandfather had a mural of her in his cave. I look just like her.”
Marc stares at me and then at the book.
“You don’t believe me,” I say.
“You’re the oldest?”
“Yes.” I twirl the bracelet around my wrist, the gold of the dragons’ twisted bodies glinting in the theater lighting.
There are now two dragons’ eyes gleaming red. My chest feels as if a chain has been wrapped around it and cinched tight. “The bracelet won’t come off. Haemosu says every time we meet, another eye will glow. When all the eyes burn bright, I’ll be his forever. He said he’s been waiting for over a thousand years for me.”
“This guy’s really into you.”
“So you don’t think I’ve got a chance.”
“No. That’s not it.” He lets out a groan. “You can’t give up.”
“I’m not!” I tuck my knees to my chest. “But you saw me earlier. I’m no match for an immortal.”
Marc moves his body so he’s facing me. His lips are so close I can’t stop imagining how easily he could pull me into his arms.
“I saw an amazing girl standing up to a warrior. A girl who transformed into a bird and escaped. Don’t tell me that isn’t something.”
I want to believe Marc. I reach for him, his skin burning against my palms. Our lips meet, breathless. His lips are soft, tender, and I’ve lost control. Sinking into his kisses. Drinking in his smell and touch. I trail my hands from his face down to his shoulders and follow the line of his biceps. I draw him closer. So close until our bodies are practically one.
Because I won’t lose this moment. This kiss.
Haemosu can’t take this from me.
I won’t let him.
CHAPTER 21
After school, Michelle races up and bumps me playfully with her hip. I cringe at the sudden movement.
“Hey, girl,” she says, sliding her bag strap over her shoulder. “You free this afternoon?”
“I’m heading to the archery center,” I say. I don’t tell her what I’m really doing. Heading off to practice #2 on my list of Ways to Kick Haemosu’s Butt: Shoot an arrow, aim for the heart. “I really need to practice.”
Because I must have perfect aim so I can watch his ugly grin falter when I slide my arrow through his heart.
“You’re always training.” She lifts her eyebrows. “It’s not like you’re prepping for a big tournament or anything. Come on. Have a little fun.”
“Right. Fun.” What a laugh that is. If only I could tell her the truth. That I’m just trying to survive. That I was torn to shreds only hours ago, and fun was tossed out of my vocabulary the day the creep showed up. Still, she’s right. If these are my last days, I sure as hell don’t want to be living them out as a sourpuss. “You want to come with me? We can hang out, and I can show you how awesome I am.”
Michelle laughs, and I almost smile. This is good. Exactly what I need.
“It’s a deal.” She hooks arms with me, and we head out into the freezing cold. “But you’ll owe me a movie date after this. Something fun and not involving weapons.”
We pick up my dragon bow and arrows at my apartment and head to the archery center. Michelle chatters nonstop, which is a relief. I can’t talk right now because my head whirls with insane images, and there’s no fix for it except to prepare and plan. I can’t let myself stop and think of what might happen if my plan fails. If my arrow doesn’t hit its mark. If I become another of Haemosu’s victims.
Before heading to the shooting area, I pop into the training center and introduce Michelle to Ahn Seong-Cheol, the head of the archery center.
“You haven’t restrung your bow in some time,” he says.
“I like to do it at my apartment.” There’s no way I’m going to tell him this bow hasn’t needed stretching or new strings yet.
“Sometime I’d like to get a closer look at that bow of yours.”
“Sure.” I smile. I will never show anyone this bow. There’s something special about it. “Maybe another time.”
Michelle and I leave the center. I kick at the gravel road that winds up the mountain and listen to the latest school gossip.
“So you were right today,” Michelle says. “Word is out that Min has made dibs on Marc, and he turned her down.”
“Long Legs?” I smile as I imagine her disappointing pout. “Since when do we make dibs on people?”
“Did you just call her Long Legs?” Michelle stops, and at my sheepish grin she laughs, her breath coming out in white, puffy clouds. “Love it. It really fits. I think we’re meant to be friends for life.”
“I think that’s the best idea I’ve heard in a long time.” I grin, not bothering to tell her that our time might be slightly shorter than she thinks.
“You didn’t tell me I was going to get my workout today,” she says, panting.
“It’s not far. Just up over the next rise.”
“I feel like I’m in the middle of nowhere.”
She’s right. Forest lines the sides of our path, and there hasn’t been a car that’s passed us yet.
“Wait until we get to the Pavilion of the Yellow Stork, where the shooting range is,” I say. “Then you’ll see Gwanghwamun.”
At the clearing, Michelle sags on a bench inside the pagoda while I unpack my bow and take in the view of Gwanghwamun below. Downtown Seoul is an eclectic mix of skyscrapers jutting tall like cranes, with ancient palaces and temples scattered about their feet. The low roar of the city floats up to where I’m standing.
I slip on my arm guard, gloves, and thumb ring, then notch in an arrow. There’s a slight breeze that kicks up my hair. I wish I’d tied it back, but I’d been so desperate to get away I hadn’t bothered.
The target I’m aiming for lies a hundred meters away. Most bows couldn’t possibly hit a target that far, but the Korean horn bow is known for its ability to hit unbelievable distances.
“Please forgive my archery,” I whisper to the wind. This comes so automatically that I hardly even remember I’m saying the words. It’s been ingrained in me ever since I first started taking lessons from my archery master in the States.