Free Silvern (The Gilded Series) by Christina Farley

have the ability to fight, and Marc can spot any creature from the Spirit World in seconds. Still, the whole idea scares the heck out of me. And I haven’t even broached the subject with Dad yet.
    “My parents travel nearly every month to remote areas,” Marc finally says. “They are always getting visas and could help us out.”
    “Fabulous,” Michelle says. “And I will be going, too. My parents won’t care. Dad is on another business trip to Shanghai together and Mom is too busy planning her journalism trip to Tokyo.”
    “Yeah,” Marc says. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
    “It’s the only option.” Michelle flashes him a steely smile. “Ask Jae.”
    I glower at her. “She goes,” I mutter.
    “There,” Michelle says. “It’s all settled. Let’s schedule our next meeting for Friday. Lily, Jae, and I can try to meet at my house one night before then and organize the details.”
    “Keep me informed at all times,” Mrs. Freeman says, her forehead knit together. “I suppose if this plan works, this group will be making history.”
    “Yep,” Marc mutters under his breath. “History in the making.”
     

In the media center after school, Michelle and I draft up the medical relief proposal for the principal and the school board. We use the Keck medical school program as our model and make our list of arguments. It helps that Michelle has a knack for making something horrible sound wonderful.
    “Are you sure this is something you have to do?” Michelle asks me.
    “Yes, but you don’t,” I say. “You’re being helpful already just by helping me write this.”
    “Listen. Whatever you are involved in is way bigger than my latest calculus class. I’m in this with you 100 percent. I just don’t understand why you suddenly have to go to North Korea.”
    “We think there is a group there that can help heal Komo,” I say. “But with North Korea being so closed off, there isn’t any way to get in touch with them.”
    “Seems like a lot of effort for something you don’t even know will work.” Michelle pulls out her ruler and starts creating a chart. “But if this is what you want, I’ll do what I can to make it happen.”
     
    After Michelle and I turn in our proposal, I text Marc and make plans to stop by his house tonight so we can research the Kumgangsan area and brainstorm where the orb could be hidden.
    Since I missed the school bus, I take the city bus home. It’s a long, bumpy ride, but I pull out my phone and begin to read about traveling to North Korea. Yet as I wave to the doorman and ride up the long elevator to the ninth floor of my apartment building, my stomach twists.
    I hate going home. It feels too quiet and still. Ever since Mom died of cancer four years ago, Dad’s been an insane workaholic. And I’ve been alone.
    As I press my finger into the scanner to unlock the door, I wish I’d agreed to head home with Marc or Michelle rather than deal with this huge empty lump in my stomach. The door beeps after I punch in the code, and the lock unsnaps. I slide my shoes off and shrug out of my leather jacket, letting it drop to the ground. As if anyone would notice. The black counter in the kitchen practically shines, the granite free of fingerprints, evidence of my dad’s and my lack of cooking ability.
    I grab a water bottle from the fridge and try to block out the memory of our home back in California, stuffed with books and old furniture. Such a contrast to this apartment. The silence overwhelms me, ringing in my ears. I need to get out of this place. It’s practically a funeral home.
    I spot a note from Dad on the counter. Sitting next to it is a paper butterfly.
     
    Jae,
     
    I won’t be able to make it home until after nine tonight since I’ve got a meeting in Busan. Your haraboji wants to meet us for brunch on Saturday so make sure you keep your schedule free. We’ll catch up soon.
    ~Dad
     
    I set the note aside, already knowing the reason for the brunch,