Read Year of the Tiger (Changeling Sisters) Online
Authors: Heather Heffner
Year of the Tiger (Changeling Sisters) (35 page)
She took one look at my gauze-wrapped eye and immediately opened her mouth, in what surely would have been a verbal tidal wave of seismic proportions, had she not caught sight of the strange young woman holding fast to my side like a long-lost petal from springtime, in danger of floating away.
“Raina?” Her voice floated away in high-pitched
español
:
Has God answered my prayers? Has my long-lost child truly come back to me?
“Mami.” Raina held out her arms, tears glistening upon the surface of her lake-black eyes. Mami went to her with a desperate wail, a mother’s fear spilling out of her in great, messy bursts until there was no more left to give. At some point, she put a hand on my shoulder, and I felt proud at the warm glow I saw in her eyes.
“Ileana?” A creak in the stairs of our apartment. “Ileana, what’s wrong?”
The gentle security shattered. Wolf was on edge in an instant. I looked over Mami’s shoulder and saw an unfamiliar Korean man duck down the steps, straightening his tie and tucking in a crisp, white button-up shirt. His eyes were as black as pitch and crackled with the thunder of power. Wolf growled at the sight of him.
“Raina. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.” Mami straightened to stand side-by-side with the stranger. “This is your father.”
End of Part II
To be continued in…
YEAR OF THE DRAGON
Acknowledgements
As always, I’d like to thank God for blessing me with invaluable family and friends and the opportunity to write.
To the Heffner clan: Mom, your support from miles away always felt like it was right next door. Dad, every one of those carefully mailed newspaper articles delighted and inspired. Craig, YOU are the media and your influence knows no bounds! I again bow my head in thanks. Aunt Nancy, Aunt Belle, Uncle Johnny—thank you so much for all of your amazing support, even with so much going on in your lives! I am truly grateful.
To Greg: Well, my pillar of strength, what can I say? You have been unflagging in your support from Day 1, and I still think you have a future as a podcaster.
To Ogonna: As always, your criticism and feedback hit the nail on the head time and time again! Thank you. By the way, Costco runs just aren’t as much fun anymore.
To the faculty at Western Washington University, Mary Gallagher, and other editors at
Window
magazine: a round of applause! Thank you for your support of students who pursue creative writing and four memorable years as an undergrad.
To all of my e-book readers, fellow supportive co-workers, fans: THANK YOU. Your enthusiasm for the first Changeling Sisters book was the golden affirmation for a project that had never before seen the light of day. You are all incredible and I wish you all the best on your own writing projects. Until next time,
kamsahamnida
. Go well!
Glossary
Korean Phrases
Disclaimer: Romanization of Hangeul characters is approximate.
A
Agusshi
— A man who looks old enough to be married. Younger people may refer to a next-door neighbor as “Ajusshi,” or “Uncle/Mister,” as a term of respect.
“Aigo!”
—
Expression of surprise or shock
Ajumma
— A woman who looks old enough to be married. Younger people may refer to a next-door neighbor as “Ajumma,” or “Auntie,” as a term of respect.
“Annyeong.”
— An informal “Hello”
Appa
— An intimate form of “father”
B
Bibim naengmyeon
— A spicy noodle dish
C
Chima
— A skirt
Cockatrice — Chicken dragon. In the old days, they towed the carriages of great rulers. In Eve, they can fly someone to any location three times.
D
Dokkaebi
— Goblin
H
“Hajima!”
— “Don’t!”
Harabeoji
— Grandfather
Hwatu
— A popular card game
I
Isseumnida
— A formal “exists” copula
J
Juin-nim
— Leader
K
“Kamsahamnida.”
— “Thank you.”
“Kunbae!”
— “Cheers!”
Kwang
— Light cards used for scoring in
hwatu
N
Namsadang
— An entertainment troupe who will perform acrobatics, dancing, singing, and comedy.
P
Pungmul Nori
— The Spinning Hat Dance, a performance of the
namsadang
S
Saeng-il
— Birthday
Sannakji
— A live octopus dish
Sajang — Boss
Sunsaeng-nim
— Teacher
T
Tangshin
— You
Ttangjaeju — Talents held on the ground
U
Umma
— An intimate form of “mother”
Y
Yeobo
— A term of affection used between husband and wife
Yonggam
— Bravery
Yul
— Animal cards used for scoring in
hwatu
Spanish Phrases
Abuela
— Grandmother
Abuelo
— Grandfather
“Ay, nimodos.”
— “Ah, well.”
“Mija”
— “My daughter”
Tibetan Phrases
Om Mani Padme Hum — A Tibetan Buddhist prayer
Origin of Myths
The Tiger and the Bear — Based on the Korean creation myth, “The Legend of Tangun,” in which a bear and a tiger pray to the Lord of Heaven to become human. Only the bear is able to complete the task. She becomes Ungnyeo, wife of the Lord of Heaven and mother of Tangun, who founded the first Korean kingdom.
Table of Contents
Chapter 2: The White Tiger
Chapter 3: Maya
Chapter 4: Revelations
Chapter 6: A Most Surprising Invitation
Chapter 7: Deaf and Blind
Chapter 9: Careful, the Floors Are Wet
Chapter 10: One Winter Afternoon
Chapter 11: Midwinter’s Eve
Chapter 12: The Seductress
Chapter 14: The Birthday Dinner
Chapter 16: The Soul of Donovan
Chapter 17: The Mirror Room
Chapter 19: Before I Fall Asleep
Chapter 23: Third Time’s the Charm
Chapter 25: Of Livers and Love
Chapter 28: Negotiating on Thin Ice
Chapter 32: The Triad
CHAPTER 35: THE FIRST SACRIFICE
Chapter 39: Battle of Brothers
Chapter 40: The Four Stages of Life
