“He was very helpful.”
“Indeed. And well-positioned. Yes?”
Chi-Qua entered her ear: “Oh, no.”
“What are you saying, Mother?”
“Ya-Li Taron will become your husband. The verbal agreement has been reached. Only the negotiations remain. Of course, it won’t happen soon. Both of you need stability and seasoning. We estimate four years. Perhaps a Sanhae wedding?”
Of course. Any fool should have known. It was all too easy.
“And if I refuse?” She asked.
“After you marry Ya-Li, he will take you into the Taron household. What you do from there will be little concern to your father and I.”
“I asked, what happens if I refuse?”
“You won’t. You’ll have four years to get used to the idea. He’s a nice boy. He will grow into a strong man. But, if you make a reckless decision to look elsewhere, Kara, remember this. Anyone may fall from the Gentry. It is as simple as stepping on your own toes. Once fallen, you will not be able to stand.”
Smug did not begin to define her mother’s broad sneer. Kara refused to show defeat or submissiveness. That girl disappeared along with the Chancellors and their Ark Carriers.
“I think we’ve said enough for tonight, Daughter. Enjoy the festivities. You like to dance. Yes?”
Once she was clear, Kara spoke to the shells.
“OK, Chi. So, you were right. Not free. No matter. I have four years to plot my escape.”
“Do you think he was the one behind it all?”
“Ya-Li?” She looked across the hall and saw him clustered with friends, smoking from his pipe. “No. He’s not clever enough. I doubt he even knows.”
“Then how?”
“You forget. My family works here. They have spies everywhere. Ya-Li probably said the wrong thing to the wrong person. That’s why they’re called spies. Who cares? I intend to have fun.”
“You should, Kara. No matter what your mother says, you won tonight. You won.”
“I did. We’ll be here for at least another two hours. You can find your way home?”
“Sure,” Chi-Qua said. “I’m going to grab some extra cake and catch a ride with the Yooni staff.”
“Take your time, Chi. Enjoy. I’m going to remove these shells. They’re itching. I’m glad you were with me, more or less.”
Chi-Qua was right. No amount of Li-Ann Syung was going to undercut this triumph.
She grabbed a fresh glass of wine, spied a waiter distributing pipes, and chose a blue one because too many red items clashed. She pulled hard on the first drag and held it all in her lungs, gathering the full effect of this world-class poltash. She wasn’t much of a smoker before, but this? Kara looked good with a pipe, a full glass, a diamond upon her chest, and all eyes fixated on the new queen.
Ya-Li was right. They were talking about her. Honored Gran would be proud.
This Kohlna has the sharpest teeth!
She acknowledged congratulations as she strolled the hall. The night did not need to end.
As the crowd thinned, with many moving down to the dance floor, Kara spied an unexpected figure staring back. He was leaning against a column, his eyes fixated.
Lang nodded, his fingers signaling he wanted to speak.
He had not initiated a conversation with her since the day he threatened to kill Chi-Qua. Yet Kara felt no hesitation to join him.
“Congratulations, Sister,” he said, his voice soft and conciliatory. “You’re moving up now, like a real Syung. I’m proud of you.”
The victories piled on, and Kara was speechless.
“I don’t … Lang, it’s been so long.”
“It has, and I’m the only one to blame. Kara, I’ve said things to you … not just that one time, but all my life. I want you to know two things. One, I never meant it. Especially not what I said about Chi-Qua. I’d never hurt her. Two, I always wanted you to succeed. I knew you were meant for more than Marketing, but I didn’t think you were strong enough. You are. You showed everyone. A little secret: You put Mother and Father in their place in a way Dae and me never could. We don’t have half your courage.”
Of all that Kara dreamed, this moment seemed most unlikely. She wanted to ask if he was drunk; better not to spoil the vibe.
“You have no idea how that much means, Lang. I’m sorry what I did to you. I …”
“No, you’re not, and you shouldn’t be. I almost destroyed us. This family needs a soldier. It’s the only way we survive.”
“Soldier? Lang, I think Syung-Low will do just fine for itself.”
Lang dropped his smile and scanned the room. He brought her close and sank his voice.
“There’s a war coming. Wars need soldiers.”
“A war. Wait, what?”
“I tried to look away. I thought the mahali might help. It did for a while. But then they made me look closer. I was going to be their man for the future. Can you believe that? Me. The drug dealer.”
“Lang, what are you on about?”
“I’m just very glad you’re strong, Kara. They’ll need you.”
“Who? For what?”
“It’s not going to end well. Kara, they’re going to burn it all.”
“Burn …? Lang, have you taken something? Have you …?”
He hugged her tight.
“Focus on engineering. Keep a close eye. Be a soldier.”
When he stepped back, Lang wiped away his tears and finished the last of his wine.
“Go on, Kara. Have some fun. We’ll speak again. I promise.”
He set down his glass and staggered away without looking back. Her eyes followed Lang down a long corridor until he disappeared around a bend.
Kara Syung never saw her brother again.
Two days later, his body washed up on a north coast beach one
