On the outside, Shen may look like just another boy your mother wouldn’t approve of. But deep down, he’s actually . . . well, another boy your mother wouldn’t approve of. Then again, what does she know about him?

Shen could tell you a lot about himself. But he’s a little standoff-ish when meeting new people. If you really want to get to know him, you’re going to have a work at it. Thankfully, were able to uncover some facts that may be of interest to you.

Especially if you ever find yourself in desperate need of his more . . . hidden talents.

He Comes from a Notable Family . . .

Not notable in the way that the Tsai family is. Shen’s relatives weren’t leaders in Vancouver’s local Taiwanese community. At least, not in the sense that they were major business owners or members of the influential Formosa Friendship Association.

But Shen’s family has a connection to a much larger power. That of the Guardians—the ancient gods who work to ensure that the world of the living and the world of the dead never cross.

But They’re Not Around Anymore . . .

Shen’s family was brought to Canada to join the guardian temple in Vancouver. And while protecting the local community can be rewarding, the job can also be highly dangerous, no matter where you’ve been assigned.

Shen doesn’t like talking about the devastating battle with an opposing temple that led to the death of his parents. But he doesn’t hide the fact that they’re gone. Now, his sister Shu-Ling is his current legal guardian. For the next year, at least.

So, He’s a Bit of a Loner

Too bad Shu-Ling is almost as elusive as the actual guardians themselves. But can you blame her? She has new responsibilities at the temple. And after what happened to their parents, why wouldn’t she want Shen to remain as uninvolved with the temple as possible?

Thankfully, Delia—Shen’s closest friend and co-worker at the bubble tea shop—steps in when needed. She’s more like a sister to him. Rumor has it that she has some sort of connection to the temple, as well. But it’s certainly not as involved as Shu-Ling’s.

What? You didn’t know that Shen works at Bubble Madness!? We admit that making oolong milk tea is a far cry from exorcising evil spirits. But isn’t that kind of the point?

He Makes His Own Schedule . . .

Except the freedom had a heavy cost. With any luck, he won’t have to spend much time serving the temple in the future. Instead, he’ll be painting it.

And if you’ve ever seen his artwork, you would agree that Shen has a special, once-in-lifetime talent. With any luck, he’ll show the traditional Chinese ink paintings he creates in his free time. Pay attention to the fluidity of the brushstrokes. They have often been praised for their wispy, dreamlike quality.

He claims the art is “what he does for fun,” but those closest to Shen can tell that he has a real passion for it. After all, despite attending the fancy private school Westview, Shen is enrolled in an independent study program in order to get more studio time during the day.

But Perhaps Not for Long . . .

It’s most likely for the best, considering the strange occurrences that have been going on at night. Not that you should fear for Shen. He’s more than capable of looking out for himself. It’s the innocent Vancouver residents who should be more mindful about where they’re walking alone at night . . . lest they encounter one of those wandering Hanged Spirits who seem more agitated than usual lately. They’ve been lingering in the physical realm longer than they’re supposed to . . .

If you’re not careful, you’re going to pray that someone like Shen is around to ensure your safety. And why would you want to put him out like that? Even if you do get to see Shen in action and witness the true power of his tiger tattoo in person, your memory will likely be erased by the elders in the end.

Hanged spirits? Elders? Power of the tiger tattoo? Trust us, if you have no connection with the temple of the guardians, none of this is any of your concern. We’ve likely already said too much . . .

Because He’s Just Met Someone New

If an outsider was suddenly brought into Shen’s world, they would beg to have their memories erased. Few would be able to perceive the true nature of the afterlife without completely losing their mind.

So, why in the world is that girl Shen saved from a restless spirit still pestering him? What did she say her name was? Ruby? Why would she want to get involved with this stuff? Unless she’s that desperate for help . . .

And what’s the deal with that mark on her ankle? Is it true she has possessed The Sight since she was a child? Could all this be connected to the strange behavior she’s observed in her sister?

These questions are best left to those who work at the temple of the guardians. We’re not authorized to tell you the exact location of it. But if you hang out in Chinatown, you’ve likely already been there without realizing it.

Fortunately for Ruby, she won’t have to wait long to schedule an appointment with a certified spirit expert. Shen and the head priestess of Vancouver’s guardian temple know each other very, very well.

But that’s a little fun fact we’re keeping to ourselves for the time being.

If you want to learn more about Shen, you can meet him in Rick Riordan Presents: The Dark Becomes Her by Judy I. Lin, on sale now.