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“Sorry,” she muttered. To hide her embarrassment, she got to work, dabbing disinfectant on the gash so liberally that Jihoon yelped.

“Sorry,” she said again as she began wrapping the wound.

“It’s fine,” he said, but his voice was a squeak of poorly concealed pain.

Jihoon stopped her when she started to pack everything away and pulled her to the couch. “Will you be okay?”

“I don’t know.” Miyoung settled beside him. “A gumiho’s bead belongs inside of her, not rolling around in her pocket. Outside of me it’s too vulnerable.”

“Vulnerable?” Jihoon asked.

“If a human possesses a gumiho’s bead, he can control her through that connection. That’s why my mother got so angry when you picked it up.”

“I would never...” Jihoon trailed off, but Miyoung nodded in understanding.

“I should never have let it come to this.” She laid her head against the lumpy back of the couch and closed her eyes. “I should have listened to my mother.”

“Will she come after you?” Jihoon asked.

Miyoung shook her head. “But she’ll come for you because you know our secret.”

“I’m not scared of her.”

“Then you’re a fool.”

“Well, I’m a fool who has you to protect me.” Jihoon grinned. Miyoung didn’t return the smile.

“My mother has lived a long time because she’s smart. She will come after you, Jihoon. You need to leave town.”

“Is there no other option?” Jihoon asked.

“It’s the safest.”

“Because it’s what you’d do?” Jihoon asked, and Miyoung didn’t like the accusation she heard in his voice. “When things get hard you run, don’t you?”

“It’s the safest option,” Miyoung repeated. “For everyone.”

“But not the only one,” Jihoon said.

“Please, just listen to me. I know better than anyone what my mother is capable of.”

And I don’t want you to get hurt,she thought, but couldn’t bring herself to say it aloud. She had no right to care about him when she was the reason he was in danger.

She slumped down on the couch. Her aching body reminded her she needed to feed or face the consequences.

Everything seemed so desperately ruined, like fine silk shredded to pieces with no hope of repair.

“If she loves you, she’ll come around,” Jihoon said, breaking through Miyoung’s thoughts.

She heard his doubt, but appreciated the effort. Jihoon usually didn’t lie, so it was nice that he tried to for her.

“She’s the only person in this world who loves me. Now I’m not sure if she can anymore. For Yena, there is no love without trust.”

“You’re wrong,” Jihoon said.

“You don’t know her like I do,” Miyoung insisted.

“No, not about that. You said your mother is the only person who loves you.” His tone was deep. So heavy, it weighed her down.