Page 24 of Gumiho Kiss (Realm of Eternal Blossoms #1)

The Trap

H yun Soo’s hand gripped the pommel of his sword as he snuck Lady Lee through the city streets. Every nerve in his body was on edge, waiting to see if Lady Lee would prove his suspicions true.

He hoped so desperately that she wouldn’t.

But whether that hope was for Dol Sam’s sake or his own, he couldn’t tell. By all rights, any desire he felt for her should have shriveled up the moment she’d become a suspect. It was important for him to be objective, clearheaded, especially when it came to an adversary as dangerous as Gwishin.

Yet even now, her presence was making it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand.

The pair slunk through the shadows, stopping every so often to check for passersby.

Most people had already returned to their homes for the night, but they’d come across a few stragglers leaving the tavern near the Lees’ residence.

It wasn’t after curfew yet, but they still couldn’t afford to be seen.

A single witness was all it took to start a wildfire of rumors.

And Hyun Soo knew all too well how powerful rumors could be.

“Is it much farther?” Lady Lee whispered at his side.

Hyun Soo caught sight of people just ahead, so he pulled her close and put his hand over her mouth.

He and Lady Lee huddled under the eaves of a yakbang, the local drug store and clinic, still some distance from their destination.

An officer stood a few paces away, conversing with a gisaeng whose face was partially concealed by her jeonmo hat.

They were laughing, oblivious to Hyun Soo and Lady Lee.

A moment later, they strode off together and disappeared into the gisaeng house.

Hyun Soo let out his breath and looked down at his companion. Her eyes were wide, and even in the dying light, he could make out a maroon stain on her cheeks.

He released her with a soft apology and looked away. “Let’s keep going. This way.”

They weaved through the dim streets, only to be forced to stop once more when a large band of masked men in black appeared out of the shadows, heading south.

Hyun Soo’s protective instincts flared, but he steeled himself with the reminder that his job was to protect Lady Lee only.

“They look like they’re headed toward the southern district. Aren’t you going to do something?” she asked in a strained voice. The judgment in her gaze was unmistakable.

He arched one eyebrow. “If you mean, am I going to abandon you to go after a gang of criminals, the answer is no.” He nodded toward the road they needed to turn onto next. “Kang Dol Sam is expecting us.”

“But—” Her head swung from him toward the men disappearing around a bend. Her shoulders drooped slightly. “Of course you’re right. Only merchants live there, so why would you feel obligated to help them?”

Hyun Soo’s lip curled at the jab, but he refused to be swayed.

They’d just resumed course when a new figure in a blue silk robe emerged from a side street, flanked by six officers. Hyun Soo reached for his charge to pull her to the safety of the shadows, but Lady Lee rushed forward.

“Kim Min Joon!”

The lead figure started, then marched over to them, followed by his subordinates.

“Lady Lee, what are you doing here?” Inspector Kim asked, eying Hyun Soo with distrust.

Lady Lee sniffled, transforming from a headstrong noblewoman into the frightened flower Hyun Soo now knew was only a well-practiced act.

“I’m so glad you happened to come by.” She placed a hand over her chest, which heaved as though she were just barely keeping her fear in check.

She pointed down the road. “There’s a group of suspicious men heading toward the southern part of the city.

You need to stop them before someone gets hurt. ”

Hyun Soo grimaced. Although Lady Lee’s body language conveyed the perfect mixture of anxiety and relief, there was something distinctly authoritative in her tone. A bit of her domineering nature peeking through.

Hyun Soo scrutinized Inspector Kim’s face for any telltale signs of indignation. He didn’t seem like the sort who enjoyed being ordered around by a civilian.

But concern showed on the inspector’s features as he nodded, then addressed his men. “You heard her. Get to the southern district quickly.”

The officers bowed and did as directed, scurrying away into the night.

Inspector Kim turned to Hyun Soo. “It’s getting late. You should take the lady back to her residence.”

“Actually, Inspector, would you escort me home? Mr. Park needs to relay a message for me.” Lady Lee smiled at Hyun Soo. “You will give my apologies to Young Master Kang, won’t you?”

He peered at her in puzzlement. They could have easily avoided being seen by the inspector and continued on their way to meet Dol Sam. Why had she given away their position? Was it to avoid meeting her fiancé? Or because Hyun Soo had refused to stop the criminals himself?

Her expression hardened for the briefest instant as their eyes met, revealing the anger simmering behind her facade. Ah. So, it was because he’d failed to confront the criminals.

Hyun Soo averted his gaze, chest suddenly tight. He didn’t like disappointing her, even if it was for a good reason.

He nodded in acquiescence. “I’ll return with haste.” He bowed to the inspector before darting off to give Kang Dol Sam the bad news.

* * *

As soon as they were alone, Chin Sun dropped the demure noblewoman act. “Thank you, Min Joon-ah. You go ahead, and I’ll catch up.”

Min Joon frowned. “What are you talking about? I thought you wanted me to take you home.”

“You didn’t realize I only said that to get rid of my bodyguard?” She laughed, then gestured to her attire. “But I can hardly help you in something this conspicuous. I’ll just hurry home and get changed.”

Understanding dawned on his face, followed by a quick shake of his head. “Absolutely not. Do you seriously think I’d let you come along?”

Chin Sun crossed her arms. “Since when have I needed your permission to do anything?” When he didn’t respond, she added, “Besides, I’m not about to let you have all the fun.”

Min Joon squeezed the bridge of his nose, a frustrated sigh escaping his throat. “It’s too dangerous without your powers, Chin Sun.”

She started to protest, but he grabbed her hands and pinned her with a hard stare. “You’re the dearest friend I have. I can’t lose you like I lost—” He didn’t finish.

Not that Chin Sun needed him to. The only person Min Joon could be referring to was his betrothed, who had died in a terrible accident shortly after he’d returned from Ming.

He didn’t usually talk about her, preferring to bury his pain behind a quick smile, but occasionally his shattered pieces would rise to the surface and remind Chin Sun that she wasn’t the only one scarred by grief.

But she didn’t need her powers for this. She’d handled herself just fine swordfighting against Mr. Park the other day, and he was the best opponent she’d ever faced.

That wasn’t what Min Joon wanted to hear though, and she had no desire to fight with him, so she gave his hands a comforting squeeze.

“I understand. You don’t have to worry about me doing anything unwise.

” She shooed him away. “Now, go on. I don’t actually need an escort home, and your men may need backup. ”

Min Joon smiled and bowed before following his subordinates’ path.

Once he was gone, Chin Sun wasted no time in returning home and donning her black hanbok and mask. She just wanted to make sure Min Joon and his men could handle themselves on their own. She’d keep to the shadows and not get involved unless strictly necessary.

She wouldn’t do anything stupid, so she wasn’t technically breaking her word—even though Min Joon wouldn’t see it that way if he spotted her.

But he wasn’t the only one who worried.

If Chin Sun’s hunch was right, the criminals’ target was a small neighborhood housing several of the city’s wealthiest merchants.

Their homes weren’t as impressive as the yangban manors, but they boasted plenty of furnishings that would fetch a good price on the black market.

And the neighborhood was set far enough from police headquarters that the thieves likely thought they could get away with it.

When she reached her destination, a series of shouts and clanging metal told her she’d been right.

She followed the noise to a large gated house and surveyed the area.

Smoke rose from one of the outlying pavilions, and the household help ran amok as they tried to douse the flames.

Kim Min Joon and his officers engaged a large group of intruders near the courtyard entrance, and a second pair of men battled atop the steps to the main building.

Chin Sun tried to make out the figures on the stairs. Both were dressed in black, and one had a facecloth over his mouth. Had the house’s owner gotten involved? She drew closer, then gasped as one man’s face became clear.

Mr. Park. He’d joined the fight, after all. Warmth surged through her veins. She’d thought he didn’t care, but clearly she’d been wrong. She watched as he skillfully disarmed his opponent, then leveled his hwando at the man’s neck.

The man raised his hands in surrender, and Mr. Park’s gaze flicked toward the others fighting in the courtyard.

That was when another masked man came up behind him.

Chin Sun flung herself across the courtyard and shoved Mr. Park out of the way. She met the attacker’s sword as it plunged down, deflecting the blow meant for her bodyguard’s back.

Sweat beaded on her forehead, the man’s strength more than she’d anticipated. Mr. Park materialized on her right side, his features more shocked than she’d ever seen.

She dodged her opponent’s next move, then knocked the hwando from his hand and struck him on the head. Once he fell unconscious, she turned to her slack-jawed bodyguard, glad her mask hid her smile.

“G-Gwishin?”