by K.N. Lee
“I know,” he said.
A shiver ran up his spine. Nothing could hide him from the gaze of God. He wondered if it would not be better to just be alone. To walk the world in shame for what he had done. But, knowing that Koa was captured left him anxious for action. Soon, they would return to the Netherworld. He would be ready to face whatever was put between him and rescuing her.
A small smile came to his lips. He might not even get the chance to save her. Judge might send her back, annoyed by her attitude. Or, better yet, she might outsmart him and escape on her own. You never knew with Koa. She was unpredictable, which was one of the many things he loved about her.
“I don’t know if you realize it, but I can sense their souls within you, Halston,” Tristan whispered.
He hated any mention of the vampiric souls he’d consumed to complete the transformation from angel to demon. They writhed inside, begging for mercy, tempting him with their devious demands.
“Are you with me, or not? That’s all I need to know,” he said. “I won’t be angry if you decide to sit this one out.”
“Of course, I’m with you. Angel or not, I’ll always be by your side. You not only helped me stay out of trouble in the Netherworld, but you are like a brother to me. It’s just that something stirs in my chest when I sense a vampire’s soul. It’s like an itch that I cannot scratch. I’ve had to deal with it all of my life, surrounded by vamps in the Netherworld, and I don’t like it. Why do you think I chose to live in the south, where vampires would never venture to?”
“Why,” he dared to ask.
Tristan came to his feet, and rubbed his chin with his hand. His brows furrowed at the memory. “To keep from losing my mind.”
Their eyes met and Halston saw the fury that was so well hidden behind Tristan’s thin, dark eyes. He nodded and looked away. “It is why you were created. War-Breeders are the only natural enemies of the vampire race. And now I walk the Earth with hundreds of their souls feeding this unnatural power to my body.” Halston’s voice cracked and he stopped talking. He wasn’t sure of what bothered him more, that he wasn’t sorry for what he’d done, or that he had to do it at all.
He did it for her.
Koa’s green eyes would always glow in the back of his mind. The way she saved her smile just for him. Now, her scream as she was ripped from the air and teleported away haunted him. She’d suffered too much in her young life. His vow to protect her was becoming more and more like a futile wish he’d never attain.
The silence was thick between them, with only the sound of an owl calling into the night.
Halston didn’t want to say what he thought should happen, but Tristan seemed to sense what was on his mind.
“We are a team, and together we will find Koa and free you of this evil.”
“We don’t even know if the Alchemist can fix what I’ve done to myself.”
Tristan leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. “We both know that kid’s powers are limitless. Don’t underestimate a child with glasses.”
Halston cracked a grin—the first in days—and Tristan clasped a hand on his shoulder.
Their laughter was cut short by the sound of something whizzing through the air. He tensed, and glanced over his shoulder and into the darkness that shrouded the moon.
Someone…or something was coming.
Realization flooded Halston, and he drew his infinity gun from its holster out of instinct and spun around to point it at whatever creature dared interrupt an angel turned demon, and a top ranked War-Breeder.
To his surprise, the creature he saw was not one that would ever cause them trouble. Relief washed over him.
Before them flew an angel.
She soared through the sky and landed right before them.
Beaming, Alice took two steps toward him, and threw her arms around his neck.
“I found you,” she said, breathlessly. Then, she looked to the sky and stepped back as another creature landed beside her.
“Holy shit,” Tristan said, his eyes widened.
“Look at what I found,” Alice said, draping her arm around the young man’s waist and tilting her head to rest on his shoulder.
“Bloody hell.” Halston said, taking him by the shoulders and looked him over. “Ian?”
Ian nodded, his curly brown hair falling into his amber eyes. He took his hand and raked it back. Shrugging, a crocked grin on his lips. “Surprise.”
21
Before them stood a vampire—one created by Koa in an act of desperation—who could stand in the sun.
And, fly, apparently.
Just like her.
Halston wasn’t sure what to think of it. An eerie feeling settled over him. This was not good.
Alice broke the tense silence and playfully pushed Halston’s shoulder.
“Isn’t it wonderful? Why aren’t you thrilled?”
Halston took a step back. “Why would I be thrilled by this? You know what this means.”
That was the former angel in him talking. This wasn’t something to celebrate, the world didn’t need vampires who could fly and walk in daylight. There were enough monsters out there that could be out in the sun. Vampires weren’t meant to be one of them.
“It’s fine,” Ian said, holding onto the strap of his raggedy old book bag. The young man never seemed to leave home without it. He was tall, almost as tall as Halston, slim, and would forever have the face of a twenty-one-year-old.
American, brilliant, and loyal, Ian had once been Koa’s pet. She funded his way through school and his living arrangements in exchange for a weekly drink of his blood. After accidentally drinking too much, she decided to turn him into a vampire.
Now, he was something more. Something Halston couldn’t wrap his mind around. Koa’s gift was too strong.
Her pink hair seemed to glow even under the dim light of the moon. She narrowed her eyes and touched his hair which grew steadily darker with each day.
“You look like crap. What have you done to yourself? Gone all demonic, I see. I can’t leave your side for a second without you going to the dark side,” Alice said, shaking her head.
“I did it for her,” he said.
“Of course, you did. I know you better than anyone. We’ve walked heaven together, fought armies together,” she said and her voice cracked. “Lost our way together.” She pulled away and her cheeks flushed. “I have something to tell you.”
The air grew thick with her sorrow as her eyes filled with tears. She lowered her voice and looked down at her feet.
“I lost her.”
He took her into his arms, and hugged her tight. “I know. And, we all know it wasn’t your fault.”
“What? How did you know?”
“Lera sent a message. She has demanded we come to her in the Netherworld and give up Koa in exchange for Raven. Not only does she have an army, but she plans to use it to take Jax’s kingdom.”
“Right,” Tristan said. “Basically the world’s gone to shit while you were away.”
Alice looked to both of them with shock in her eyes. “You’re kidding me? Does she really believe we would do such a thing? Give Koa to her? Raven wouldn’t want that, Halston.”
“I know. Trust me. Raven would die for Koa,” he said.
“Whoa. Wait a minute,” Ian said. “What about Koa?”
“We have a plan,” Halston said, taking the dagger from its sheath. “To get them both back.”
“But, who took her in the first place?” Ian asked.
“Judge,” Tristan said.
“Who is Judge?”
Alice rubbed her temples and groaned. “Judge is the Grim Reaper,” she said.
“What the hell? The Grim Reaper is real?” Ian asked, his skin paling more than it already had by his transformation to a vampire. “Why didn’t anyone tell me this?” He shook his head. “No one tells me anything.”
“Are you sure he didn’t take her soul?” Alice asked.
“Certain. He collared her and took
her into his vortex. I know where they are going,” he said.
Ian sucked in a breath. He looked to Halston with determination in his innocent eyes. “Then, what are we waiting for. Let’s go get her.”
With that statement alone, Halston had a new appreciation for Ian.
“We will find her,” Alice whispered. “Together, we can do anything. The world cannot stop us. We are an army of few. But, we are a strong one.”
Halston lifted a brow. “An army?”
“Yes,” she said. “With you as our general.”
His heart raced. Why hadn’t he thought of it earlier? Alice was bloody brilliant. Within minutes she’d solved the remaining piece to the puzzle he’d been mulling over for days. He sheathed the dagger and ran toward the church. “Get ready to leave. I have a plan.”
22
Darkness filled the clearing. Faint traces of moonlight spilled from the canopy of trees and onto the black gates of the Netherworld.
Koa pushed herself to her knees and shivered at the chill that prickled her arms and face. The air was damp and mists curled around her like white flames or smoke. It was as if the mists had a mind of its own. It reached for her and urged her upward, tugging at her hair and caressing her cheeks.
“Perfect timing,” Judge said. “Now, up.” He yanked at the chain that was secured to a silver collar around her neck.
The sting of silver sizzled into her skin. With a cry, light shot from her body in shards of yellow and gold. Her heart pumped with adrenaline as she came to her feet.
Seeing the strange light and the sensation that filled her body sent fear directly into Koa’s heart. Being a half-vampire was a challenge, but she’d learned to cope with it. Whatever this new ability was has left her frightened.
“What is happening to me?”
“You’re evolving, dear girl,” Judge said, softly.
Koa tensed. She reached for her sword, but it was gone.
“Don’t worry. Your sword is safe.”
Fear gripped her by the throat. It had been years since Koa had felt so empty and alone.
“Where is it?” Koa didn’t like how fearful her voice sounded.
Father always told her that fear was a weakness.
She refused to be weak.
“Safe,” he said, clasping his hands behind his back. He looked toward the gate. “The Lyrinian blade is safe. You have my word.”
That initial fear deepened when Koa thought of what Judge could do with her father’s legendary sword.
“Take this collar off of me.”
Judge turned to her. He stepped forward until he was so close she could see the traces of silver in the dark depths of his eyes.
“When you help me get what I want, I will. I promise you.”
“What do you want from me?”
Despite her fear of him, she didn’t step away or back down.
“I want to reunite both Lyrinian blades, and destroy the Netherworld.”
Her eyes widened at how matter-of-fact his statement was. “Destroy the Netherworld?”
“That is correct,” Judge said, nodding.
Such a thing had never been attempted. The gates were put there for a purpose. They kept the supernatural in their world and allowed the angels entrance to serve as monitors or lords over all within. Now, they wanted to destroy those portals. But, what about the creatures living their lives peacefully within the human world?
“Viktor,” she said with realization. “This is what he’s wanted all along.”
“Good girl. Viktor has given his orders and soon all of the supernatural will be wiped clean from this world.”
“That’s not possible,” Koa said. “You’ll never get rid of every supernatural creature in this world.”
Judge smiled. “Never say never. You seem to forget who I am. I will find every last one, and I will destroy them.”
“That is insane.”
“Is it? Look at what pestilence has plagued this world. Take you for example. Though beautiful and unique, you are an abomination. Half vampire and half angel. This was not in the original plan.”
“You think I asked for this?” He had no idea of her struggles growing up, or how she fought to stay sane each day when the scent of blood taunted her each time a human was near. It wasn’t an easy life, but she made it work. She was good inside. Why couldn’t Viktor and Judge see that? There were good supernaturals.
“It doesn’t matter. Like I said, soon your world will be closed off from the human’s, and we will destroy it.”
Koa didn’t speak. No amount of reasoning would change his mind, and Koa had never been much of a diplomat. No, she would find another way.
She would stop them.
Judge studied her, starting an uncomfortable silence that was only filled with her short, anxiety-laden, breaths and the sound of crickets in the distance.
“Dear child, that demon, Bund, did a number on you,” he said, folding his arms across his chest.
Child?
Koa’s green eyes flickered a glare at him. “You and the Oracle love to remind me of how young I am.”
Judge’s grin widened, and Koa wished that she had resisted her retort. She couldn’t be sure what each grin meant. Was it genuine amusement? Hidden annoyance?
“Yes,” Judge nodded. “Age is a gift. You don’t live as long as my sister and I without appreciating the wisdom that comes with being created at the dawn of the ages. Only the angels are older than us, Koa. And still, not even they know the horrors we have seen.”
He lifted the enchanted chain leash and pulled her forward. Though gentle, she hated the fact that she was his prisoner and had no way of escape.
“Now,” he said. “Let me in and let’s make a visit to that brother of yours.”
23
Brother?
Koa was dumbstruck by Judge’s revelation of where they were going. She couldn’t move. The prospect was too terrifying. She knew of his existence, but never imagined meeting him.
“Go on. Don’t keep me waiting,” he said, calm as ever.
Her mouth went dry. So, she swallowed and licked her lips as she approached the Gate.
The mists were there, dancing around her in a rhythmic sway with the gentle breeze. Somehow, she found comfort in its enveloping of her body. It was familiar, and soothing. Intoxicating. As were the notes being played by a violin up above.
“Tunes,” Koa called into the darkness, remembering how Halston had summoned the creature with the keys to the Gate.
A sharp note was played and Koa stepped back as the creature known as Tunes leaped from the clouds that shrouded the very top. Shorter than a young child, with rubbery gray skin and bulbous eyes, he was uglier than a ghoul. Still, he carried a magnificent violin that could play the most intoxicating of melodies. As he stepped forward, through the mists, he peered at Koa with narrowed eyes.
“What are you doing back here? Where is Master Halston?”
Koa cleared her throat, unsure of herself. “Let me in,” she said.
Judge stepped forward and Tunes lifted a brow. “Bringing Death in? I don’t know about this… I should check with Halston first.”
“You will let us in,” Judge said. “Halston is no longer your master. Koa is.”
“The half-blood?” Tunes looked her up and down, then approached, sniffing her legs. “Well, now. Why didn’t I smell angel blood before?”
“I don’t know,” Koa said, exasperated. “Just let us in.” If she was going to the Netherworld, she would do so for her father. Not for Judge. Something told her there was more there than she knew. There was always more. Secrets were multiplied, not subtracted. And, she was determined to find out what secrets lurked in Judge’s mind.
Tunes nodded. “I suppose I can allow it. You are entitled to enter at will. But, Death…I am not so sure about. Don’t you know you’re not allowed in here? The Netherworld is for supernatural creatures only.”
“Am I not a supernatural creature?”
&
nbsp; Tunes sniffed the air. He frowned as if he smelled something awful. “I’m not sure what you are.”
Expressionless, Judge lifted a hand and Tunes was catapulted back to the Gate with a blast of air. He crashed into the bars with a yelp.
“Well, that’s unfortunate, isn’t it? Do as you’re told,” Judge said, still calm.
Tunes scrambled to his feet and pulled the long key from his pocket. “Okay! Jeesh. Calm down. I was only messing with you. You didn’t have to go all ballistic on me.” He snorted and hobbled over to the lock.
Koa heard him mumble something under his breath as he worked at inserting the key into the lock. With a loud click, the lock opened and the Gate began to creep open, opening to darkness and Shadows.
Koa gulped. She wasn’t ready to face them again. The last time she’d been to the Netherworld, Halston had been with her and had protected her from the Shadows that waited just inside the gates.
Judge had no fear, and without another word, he pulled Koa along like a prisoner in a chain gang. Inside the gates they went, with Tunes watching them with curious eyes that bulged out of their sockets.
Unceremoniously, the gates closed behind them, and the silence and dark smothered her like a heavy blanket. The entry to the Netherworld was a large tunnel made of stone. It smelled of coal, and all traces of light were absent, except for the faint ray at the end. It was a beacon of hope, and Koa couldn’t wait to reach it.
She shivered, and covered her arms with her hands. Even wearing a jacket, her skin was frigid. Why she felt so cold, she couldn’t be sure. But, she assumed it was the eerie way those faceless creatures looked at her.
“Remarkable,” Judge said, peering at the Shadows that stood on either side of the path that led through the first ring of the Netherworld.
Tall, and black, the Shadows were featureless creatures sent to guard the gates of the Netherworld. They were meant to keep humans out, and the supernatural in.
To her surprise, they bowed to her.
She swallowed, and looked over them all. This wasn’t how she remembered them from last time. When she’d gone with Halston before, they had tried to reach for her and touch her with their frigid hands.