Year of the Tiger (Changeling Sisters) (35 page)

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Authors: Heather Heffner

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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.

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”

Bibim naengmyeon
— A spicy noodle dish

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.

Dokkaebi
— Goblin

“Hajima!”
— “Don’t!”

Harabeoji
— Grandfather

Hwatu
— A popular card game

Isseumnida
— A formal “exists” copula

Juin-nim
— Leader

“Kamsahamnida.”
— “Thank you.”

“Kunbae!”
— “Cheers!”

Kwang
— Light cards used for scoring in
hwatu

Namsadang
— An entertainment troupe who will perform acrobatics, dancing, singing, and comedy.

Pungmul Nori
— The Spinning Hat Dance, a performance of the
namsadang

Saeng-il
— Birthday

Sannakji
— A live octopus dish

Sajang — Boss

Sunsaeng-nim
— Teacher

Tangshin
— You

Ttangjaeju — Talents held on the ground

Umma
— An intimate form of “mother”

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

Foreword

Part I: Wolf

Chapter 1: Ostracized