ghosts. We want to transform your yin and yang energy so you’re open to receive.”
“And that will let me reabsorb the bead?” Miyoung asked.
“In theory.”
“Theory?” Miyoung’s voice rose. She didn’t like the idea of putting her faith into a theory.
“It’s all I have,” Nara said, spreading her hands out.
Junu came back holding a manila envelope, not exactly the container Miyoung would expect for a magic so powerful it scared her mother.
“I’d ask what a shaman and a gumiho want with a Taoist talisman, but I really don’t care.”
“Great.” Miyoung reached for the envelope.
Junu whipped it away and wagged an infuriating finger at her. “Uh-uh. Payment first. A million won.”
“A million won?” Miyoung sputtered out.
“Don’t have it? I’ll also take it as a hundred yen, a thousand US dollars, your first-born child. Don’t accept bitcoin yet, but I hear it’s growing in popularity.”
Miyoung ignored his sarcasm and pulled out her wallet reluctantly. It wasn’t that she couldn’t spare the cash—she had plenty—it just felt like the dokkaebi was unfairly inflating the price. From Junu’s self-satisfied smile, she knew her guess was right.
“Fine.” Miyoung slapped the bills on the counter. She put out her hand for the envelope, but Junu held on to it while he counted the cash.
Once satisfied, he held out the talisman. Miyoung resisted the urge to yank it from his hold and instead took it delicately, giving a nod in lieu of a full bow. She hoped the disrespect was clear.
“Good doing business with you. Come back if you need anything else. I hear there’s Western magic that uses eye of newt.”
“Har-har,” Miyoung said, her voice as flat as a fallow field.
“Thank you.” Nara bowed low, her manners too strong for her own good.
“Let’s go.” Miyoung stomped past the shaman and into the entryway. She shoved her feet into her shoes so hard they almost hurt.
Junu sauntered after them as Miyoung opened the front door. It caused a dozen bujeoks plastered around the entrance to flutter. She eyed them. “Do you deal in talismans often?”
Junu gave her a curious look. “It’s a popular item among my clientele. Why?”
“What about dokkaebi?”
“What about us?” Junu asked, his eyes narrowing.
“Do you sell them to dokkaebi?” Miyoung asked, thinking of the hulking beast in the forest. It had to have gotten the bujeok from somewhere.
Junu’s eyes darkened at the question and his lips pursed. “I don’t reveal the identity of my customers. A service you’ll benefit from as well.”
“Come on, Seonbae.” Nara tugged at Miyoung’s sleeve, holding the door open. Miyoung sent Junu one last glare before the door closed between them.
Miyoung sneered at the rusted metal. “I think I prefer the snorting, hunchbacked ones.”
“I don’t like any of them,” Nara said with a shudder. “Why were you asking him about bujeoks?”
Miyoung answered with a question of her own. “Do many dokkaebi have things like talismans? Is that common?”
“Junu is the only one I’ve heard of. Most dokkaebi wield a more basic magic like their staffs. They have no need of shaman bujeoks.”
“Well, the other night, when I lost my bead, that dokkaebi had somehow gotten his hands on one.” Miyoung rubbed her hand against her chest, remembering the searing pain.
“If he got it here, I’m sure Junu won’t talk. He has a reputation for his discretion.”
“It doesn’t matter.” That dokkaebi was dead, and whatever evil intentions he’d had died along with him. Miyoung needed to concentrate on returning the bead to where it belonged.
“What do we do now?” Miyoung asked as they reached the main road again.
“We wait for the full moon.”
“That’s not for weeks!” Miyoung complained.
“I’m not experienced in Taoist practices. I don’t want to take any chances. I want to use the power of the full moon.”
Miyoung acquiesced. “Fine.”
“Everything will be okay, Seonbae. Trust me.” Nara started to reach out, and Miyoung took a step back. “If anything happens in the meantime, please call me.”
“What do you think could happen?”
The younger girl sighed, obviously used to Miyoung’s suspicious nature. “I just mean if you need me, I’m here.” Nara bowed before making her way home. “Take care of yourself.”
Miyoung bypassed the bus stop on the main street, choosing to walk instead to clear her head.
The bead tapped against Miyoung’s side. Her own version of a telltale heart, mocking her with its beating presence.
DO NOT BE FOOLISH enough to think all magic is the same.
Though shamans were long the spiritual leaders of the people, other practices came to take their place.
Long after the rise of the gumiho, Taoism arrived to