The Last Fallen Star, Graci Kim [books to read in your 20s .TXT] 📗

jumps to her feet. “It’s decided, then. We’ll do the spell tomorrow, right after my initiation.” She ushers us out the door and squeezes my shoulder reassuringly. “Trust me, sis, they’ll come around. They all will. And we’ll be opening up our own practice in no time.”

As always, Hattie’s words lift the weight from my shoulders. She’s right. Eomma and Appa have always been supportive. And once I have my magic, they will be happy for me, too. I grab her and hug her tight, saying a thank-you prayer to Mago Halmi for my sister.

As we rush out of the clinic, excitement and nerves bubble up inside me like a shaken soda can.

One more day, and I will be a healer.

One more day, and I will be able to wield the power of the divine.

One more day, and my community will see me as an equal. They will accept me and embrace me as one of their own.

And then, perhaps, I’ll finally belong.

I WAKE TO THE FEELING OF something wet and sticky on my face. I jolt up in bed to find Mong sitting on my stomach, slobbering all over me.

“Ew, Mong, get off! Your breath stinks.” I push him away and then do a double take. “Wait, are you wearing clothes?”

I hear Hattie chuckling from somewhere on the other side of the room. “It’s an outfit, Emmett says. For the special occasion today.”

I rub my eyes and follow Hattie’s voice.

She’s already up, sitting at her dressing table, brushing her long hair. The morning sun is shining through the gap in the curtains, pooling over her head and shoulders like a halo. “I don’t know when he did it, but when I woke up this morning, I found Mong dressed like this with a little note on his collar.”

She throws me the note. It reads:

For the special occasion today, I designed a celebratory outfit for Mong. Guess who he is! Yeah, I know. I’m amazing. Also, for the love of all things baked, don’t do anything stupid today. Well, not any more than what you’ve already got planned…I better see your faces after the ceremony. OR ELSE.—Em

I study Mong’s outfit. Black “scales” cover his body, making his big puppy-dog eyes stand out even more than usual. There is a single blunt horn on his forehead, framed by a great lion’s mane, and around his neck is a small round bell. He looks part dog and part lion, with a tiny unicorn horn.

“Ha! He’s the Haetae!” I squeal in delight.

Hattie giggles. “Pretty spot-on, right?”

The Haetae is a uni-horned lion beast, and one of the most-well-loved creatures in our culture. He’s Mago Halmi’s guardian pet, known for two things: his incredible loyalty, and his ability to manipulate time.

“Emmett really outdid himself,” I say. “I wish he and Mong could come to the ceremony today.”

“I know. Me too.”

I roll out of bed and stumble over to Hattie, wrapping my arms around her shoulders. Our reflections smile back at us in the dresser mirror, and for a moment, there is no ceremony, no spell, no magic. Just me and my sister.

“Thank you for doing this for me,” I say quietly. “And yes, yes, I know—you’re doing it as a matter of principle as much as you’re doing it for me. But still.” I suddenly remember what else today is. “Oh, and by the way, happy thirteenth birthday!”

She smiles, and her cheeks glow warm with love. Then just as quickly, her smile turns into a grimace. “Ew, morning breath much? And to think you threw shade at our mini Haetae for his breath. A bit rich, Rye. A bit rich.”

“Whatever do you mean, darling sister?” I say innocently as I exhale deeply into her face. “My breath smells like flowers. See?”

She shrieks and pushes me away. “OMG, you’re the worst. Go brush your teeth!”

I chuckle and run out of the room before Hattie can retaliate.

Today is going to be the best day of my life, and it’s already off to a roaring start.

Somehow, the morning passes in a flash, and before I know it, we’re back in the sanctuary at the temple. Unlike in a normal Saturday service, the Gi cauldron is surrounded by a circular altar full of food offerings to our patron goddess. Among them are plump persimmons, savory gimbap, and sweet rice cakes drizzled in honey. Generous bowls of rice wine are dotted like milky exclamation points among them, and I gape at the size of the bae. The juicy Korean pears, each almost as big as a bowling ball, are stacked in a pyramid. Everything looks delicious, except for the plates of raw garlic and mugwort leaves. The Cave Bear Goddess apparently loves those, but I could definitely pass on them.

My parents and I sit in the front row of the Gom pews, eagerly awaiting Hattie’s appearance. Hundreds of witches have gathered to watch her become a full-fledged healer, and looking around at all the expectant faces, I start to get cold feet about our plans to hijack the ceremony. I shove my right hand in my pocket and make sure the potion is still there and in one piece. I can’t believe we’re actually going to do this….

Soon, a hush falls over the crowd. Hattie enters the sanctuary behind the five elders, and they walk in single file toward the Gi cauldron. My sister is wearing open-toed gold sandals, and her long golden hanbok ripples like gentle waves behind her. A fur headpiece sits grandly atop her head, sporting a row of sharp bear claws that make it look like she’s wearing an ivory crown. Eomma and Appa let out quiet squeals of delight, and I beam proudly beside them. Hattie has worked so hard for this, and her initiation is going to be a breeze.

As she walks, her eyes search the crowd for me. And when they meet mine, she taps the side of her dress, reminding me that her potion is