Sophie Kim

After the destruction of her entire Talon gang, eighteen-year-old Shin Lina—the Reaper of Sunpo—is forced to become a living, breathing weapon for the kingdom’s most-feared crime lord. All that keeps her from turning on her ruthless master is the life of her beloved little sister hanging in the balance. But the order to steal a priceless tapestry from a Dokkaebi temple incites not only the wrath of a legendary immortal, but the beginning of an unwinnable game…

Suddenly Lina finds herself in the dreamlike realm of the Dokkaebi, her fate in the hands of its cruel and captivating emperor. But she can win her life—if she kills him first.

Now a terrible game of life and death has begun, and even Lina's swift, precise blade is no match for the magnetic Haneul Rui. Lina will have to use every weapon in her arsenal if she wants to outplay this cunning king and save her sister...all before the final grain of sand leaks out of the hourglass.

Because one way or another, she'll take Rui's heart.

Even if it means giving up her own.

Last of the Talons

fc ♡

 “Is the sky to your liking?” He gestures to the expanse of night that looms above us.  

I lift my eyes to the pearlescent silver moons, the shimmering stars, and the small, lightning-quick flashes that can only be comets speeding through the eternal expanse. “If it isn’t?”  

The emperor shrugs languidly. “Then I will change it for you.”  

Rui waves a hand upward. The sky ripples and shifts

Rui smiles, revealing sharp white canine teeth. “Lina.” I bite back a shiver as his gaze runs over my body, lingering momentarily on the slope of my neck, the bareness of my legs. “You look ravishing.” 

"This dress was irresistible.” “So I see,” he murmurs. My breath hitches momentarily in my throat. As if he can hear it, Rui gazes up at me underneath his lashes as a wicked laugh flickers in his eyes

The Piper’s arms trap me against the wall, caging me eye level with his chest, where the dagger still gleams, embedded in his blood-crusted flesh.  “I’ve always been a fan of theatrics,” Rui says

"You called me a son of a bitch in front of my entire court,” he hisses back from the corner of his mouth, barely audible

"Destroy me, then,” the emperor says, holding my gaze as we swirl through the sea of colors. “Pierce my heart with one thousand daggers. Let the kingdom shine golden with my blood. You’ll find that I will enjoy it.” 

I feel, rather than see, Rui rise from his throne. Would you save me the last dance? he asked. 

 But now, I am one step ahead in our game. I can afford a little recklessness. 

 Tossing Rui a wicked look, I drain my champagne and slip through the doors just as the emperor parts his lips to call for me. 

Rui chuckles. “How incredibly unfortunate.” He arches a brow down at me as I glare upward. “I suppose that you’ll have to ride with me.” The emperor extends a hand down

“There’s no need to be jealous,” he murmurs, and I swallow hard as he leans closer to me, his lips grazing my ear. “I didn’t dance with any of them.”

 “Well,” he replies, brushing aside an overhead branch as we ride, “I find that the possibility that my dance partner may stab me to death at any moment adds a certain thrill that simply cannot be replicated by those who are not determined to stab me to death.” 

Rui simply looks amused. “As you say, little thief.” He rises smoothly and—to my shock—places the crown of flowers upon my head

“You’re sick.” His eyes move to the wound on my cheek and darken. “And injured. Where did you get that?” 

Last of the Talons quotes

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