Page 76 of Vicious Spirits

“Spirits are not meant to possess human bodies this long. It goes against the command of King Yeomra. If a spirit is lucky enough to find a host vessel, their energy is expelled within twenty-four hours.”

Junu opened his eyes at that. “But we went to the cave two days ago. How can she hold on to Jihoon this long?”

“Something about that human makes him the perfect vessel.”

“What? He’s just a normal kid,” Junu said.

“Something created a space, an energy, that is perfect for Sinhye’s soul.”

Junu’s stomach dropped as he pieced it together. “Dammit, Miyoung’s yeowu guseul. Of all the humans to take to that cave, I had to bring the one person in this world that’s had a fox bead inside of him. I should have known better.”

“Could you? Could even someone as clever as you have anticipated this?”

Junu knew that, despite his cold demeanor, this was Hyuk’s way of comforting him. Of telling Junu that he could never have known.

“You could have warned me,” Junu said.

“You know that jeoseung saja do not interfere with the affairs of the living,” Hyuk said.

“But you’re here now,” Junu said.

“I shouldn’t be,” Hyuk admitted. “I just wanted to check on my old friend.”

“What do I do now?”

“When something like this happens—a spirit finds the perfect vessel—the longer they spend within it, the more their energies fuse. The longer she stays in him, the more it will take to pull her free.”

“What will it take?” Junu asked.

Before Hyuk could reply, the door opened with a beep and let Miyoung in. She paused at the sight of Hyuk and Junu.

“I didn’t realize you had a guest,” Miyoung said, holding two bags from the local fried chicken restaurant. “Where’s Jihoon?”

“So you are the source of all this trouble,” Hyuk murmured. “I can see it now. The energy around you, it reeks of death. You hold on to it like a lifeline, but you know you should let it go.”

“Who are you?” Miyoung looked ready to attack at a moment’s notice if Hyuk so much as breathed wrong.

Not wanting to see the result of a fight between a reaper and a former gumiho in the middle of his pristine house, Junu stepped between them. “He’s leaving,” Junu said. Then he turned back to Hyuk. “You promised. I have three days left.”

The reaper was still a moment before lowering his chin in a nod. “Then I’ll be back in three days.”

“Yes, and try to actually give me the full three days. No more check-ins.”

“Her life is in your hands. Be sure to keep your promise. Because I will keep mine.”

“What are you talking about?” Miyoung demanded. But Hyuk ignored her.

“Tell her about your ghosts. And ask her about hers.” And he turned to go, disappearing into vapors that sifted through the air.

Miyoung jerked back in surprise. “What is going on here? Who was that? Why did he say my life is in your hands?”

Junu frowned, wondering how many of those questions he could skirt around. He decided to answer the easiest one first. “He’s a jeoseung saja.”

Miyoung’s eyes widened. “If he’s a jeoseung saja, then has he come for me?”

“No, there’s still time. We just have to get your bead back.”

Miyoung shook her head, her expression one of guardeddistrust. “A reaper’s list doesn’t change. When they come for you, you can’t do anything to fight it.”

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