“It’s a compass I found a long time ago. I want you to have it.”

I push the small button on its side and the compass flips open. It’s intricately designed with tiny black detailing around the edge and a slender golden arrow hovering inside.

“Why are you giving this to me?”

He smiles openly. “I saw what you did for Emmett back at Jennie’s house. How you gave up what you wanted so he could have a chance to speak to his mom. And now you’re putting yourself through this initiation to save your sister and to stop the prophecy. You’re a good person, Riley. You came a long way to find us, and I thought maybe, one day, if you ever get lost, this could help you find your way back to us.”

He adjusts his bow tie, and something flutters inside my chest. This has to be the nicest gift I’ve ever received.

“It’s beautiful. Thanks, Taeyo.”

I close the compass and feel a rough patch against my palm. I turn over the compact and see a small faded outline of two overlapping triangles on its back. I press the symbol, and suddenly the compass makes a slicing sound as triangular blades release from the edges, forming what looks like metal rays around a golden sun.

“Whoa!” Taeyo breathes. “I didn’t realize it was a weapon, too.”

I carefully spin the compass on my palm. “Let’s hope I won’t need that part.”

22: Taming of the Inmyeonjo

BY THE TIME WE MAKE IT to the lakeside, the forest clearing is full of people. I’d say there are at least a hundred folks milling about, waiting for the call for volunteers.

I can’t see Emmett anywhere, but he must be somewhere in the crowd. What I can see, however, is a terrifying bird creature probably seven feet tall, with a wingspan the cheollima guard would die for. Her body is covered in a shock of dirt-colored feathers, and her talons are so large they look like pitchforks. The most disconcerting thing about her, though, is her face. It, too, is covered in brown plumage, but it is distinctly human. She has high cheekbones, a well-proportioned nose, and two large eyes. Except the “whites” of her eyes are amber, and her lips stretch out unnaturally into a hardened beak. She really should have treated those bachelors better….

Like Austin said earlier, the inmyeonjo is trapped inside a metal cage near the edge of the lake, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to hold her for too long. Because if I could use one word to describe her, it would be furious. She is flapping her wings aggressively against the metal bars, clawing the ground with her talons, and screeching at the top of her lungs.