PROTECTIVE INSTINCT **Blog Tour**

Gliterary Girl Book Tours presents the blog tour for the release of PROTECTIVE INSTINCT, Book #4 in the Time After Time Saga, by Authors Lynette Endicott and Tami Dee.

 

Sabrina Bridges clings to her birthright as a Heartmark woman, convinced she will overcome the time-traveling enemy that plagues the women of her family. She is certain she will obtain true love with the man she gives her heart to. But how will her trusting heart survive when she learns that very man has deceived her since the moment they met?

Nicolas Mitchell's loyalty to family and country are tested by the woman who may lead him to one who threatens all he holds dear. Nick must steel his heart against her, and deny his protective instinct for the woman who speaks of an ancient family legend and her belief that together he and she will forge a love that will last forever. Will Nick be able to complete his last mission as a spy for the Crown or will he betray his country for the sake of love?

   

BUY NOW AT:

Amazon | Barnes and Nobles | Desert Breeze Publishing

Nick’s violet gaze collided with his brother-in-law's gray one. "Why are you here, Will? Why has my home been turned into a headquarters for Iron Man’s minions? And who were the two men brought in the burlap body bags? Are they dead or alive?" Will shifted in his seat, his lips pressed into a firm line. "Alive." He winced. “For now.” He met Nick’s angry gaze and jerked his chin up. “But you're not going to like what I am about to tell you any more than I do." Nick's heart hammered once against his chest and he fisted his hand atop the table.  "Spill it." "I'll handle the details, son." A deep voice said from the kitchen threshold.  Both men stood as His Grace, Lord Cornelius Hunter, fifth Duke of Sussex, aka The Iron Man, spy master to the crown, walked into the room and pulled out a sturdy wooden chair. Nick fought back the initial wave of awe and slight intimidation which always assaulted him in the spy master's presence, reminding himself that he was a grown man now, not an impressionable lad of eleven winters as he had been when he first met Will's father and his sister's father-in-law. The maid appeared as if from thin air and poured a cup of tea for the duke, then, with a swift curtsy, bustled away.  Eyes as gray as his son's studied Nick before Cornelius spoke. "As you are aware, in the past few months two operatives have been murdered.’ Nick nodded, a stiff jerk of his head.  “Two agents are currently missing and until a fortnight ago we had no idea that the missing agents and murdered agents were related in anyway." The hairs on Nick's neck stood on end. "How are they related?" The Iron Man took a sip of tea then placed the mug atop the table before responding. "All the agents who have met with foul play are a part of Charles' elite team." Emotion shifted through Cornelius eyes. "My team. Operatives whose true identities not even Charles himself knows."

Nick's eyes narrowed. "There's a turncoat amongst us?" The duke shifted in his seat and Nick read vulnerability within the simple action. The knot in Nick’s stomach tightened. "A traitor, yes, but not from within our ranks. Nay anymore, anyway." Nick frowned. "Who then?" he demanded. "Are they the prisoners you're keeping here?" Will shot Nick a warning glance and Nick snapped his jaw shut.  Cornelius’ gaze rested on the far fireplace as wood popped and a spray of embers drifted to the stone hearth, glowing a moment before fizzling out.  "One of those prisoners will be able to lead us to the man we want." Nick shook his head. "One of them?" Will nodded. "One was seen with our man a fortnight ago, but we're not sure which one. Both are similar in appearance, and both were found near his last known location." Nick leaned forward, his hands fisted atop the table. "So you're saying that one of the prisoners is an accomplice of the person responsible for our missing agents and the murdering of our men, and one is an innocent bystander, found in the wrong place, at the wrong time?" Will nodded. His eyes when they met his held an unhappy resignation within their gray depths.  Nick turned accusing eyes to the duke. "And what happens to the innocent man when this whole thing is over?" Cornelius' already perfect posture straightened. "Don't be naïve, Nick. You know with our positions in society, living a double life as we all are, no one can learn of our location or identities. Once the real accomplice leads us to our man, both will have to be silenced." Nick gaped at him. He'd accepted that this business of being a spy had a nasty side. It was a dangerous life, full of misdirection and outright deceit.  And yes, bad guys died as a result of bringing about justice. But taking an innocent life, simply because that person resembles someone else? That was taking things too far! And they were doing it in his home? Nay. This would not do. Will, his lips pressed into a tight line, spoke. "Before you explode, little brother-in-law, you need to hear the rest." Dread now sat like a stone in Nick’s stomach. "What?" Will and his father shared a glance then Cornelius cleared his throat. "First, our prisoners are women, not men."

Sabrina Bridges came to by slow degrees. The vicious pounding within her skull made thinking almost impossible. It was pitch dark, and it took a moment to realize that a blindfold had been securely tied over her eyes. Still, no light filtered around the edges. She was in pitch black. She shivered against the rough ropes that bound her and the cold terror racing through her bloodstream.  Her body hurt, every single inch of it. A low moan escaped her lips. She tugged at her hands bound behind her, but stopped when the rope ripped at the tender flesh of her wrists.  Wind moaned and hissed throughout the room, a high pitched scream, like the sound of an animal in pain. The draught, and the scent of dirt told her she was being kept in some sort of outbuilding, perhaps a shed or the like, and the temperature was beyond frigid. Her fingers were numb with cold and she couldn't feel her face or feet. Her cloak was gone, leaving her shivering in her serviceable wool dress and a pair of short kid boots. Not nearly enough covering for the bitter storm raging outside. She listened for other sounds besides the wind, anything to indicate if she was alone or if perhaps her captor was here, watching, waiting… for what? Terror of the unknown filled her. She was tied to a hard backed chair, and each of her ankles tied to a leg of the chair. Her knees throbbed from the awkward position. Her back against the chair ached from the hard surface and the ill treatment that must have preceded her arrival to this place. Her bottom lip throbbed, and she tasted blood. Clearly she had been beaten. What she did not know was why? She fought through the fog clouding her brain, struggling to remember how she'd come to be in this dire situation. A sense of urgency knotted her stomach, a feeling that there was something important she needed to do.

But what? The more she tried to remember, the harder her head pounded. She ached more with every beat of her heart, with every pulse of blood through her sore body. Something jumped onto her lap. Her throat slammed shut with terror, imagining a rat or some other such outbuilding animal attacking her. She attempted to push up and away, but the chair didn't budge. She was too weak. What could she do to escape it? The sound of purring broke through her panicked thoughts, and she realized a cat was now shifting itself on her lap, apparently thinking to make itself comfortable.  The sound and steady vibration of the feline's deep purr helped to calm her, and its weight, although not a large cat by any means, warmed her lap, a fact which she was significantly grateful.  "I don’t know where we are, little one, but I'm glad you’re here." Her hoarse whisper was rewarded by a small, soft meow. It was too much. The abuse she'd suffered, the cold, the exhaustion. Straining to remember what had happened to her, and what it was she needed to do, was eased by her newfound friend purring on her lap. Sabrina closed her eyes beneath the blindfold, and sleep blessedly overtook her.  

Nick tossed and turned the entire night until, at the break of dawn, he dressed then made his way to the outbuilding where one of the prisoners was being kept. Nick stood in front of the unconscious girl tied to the chair. Despite being senseless, her teeth chattered. A calico cat was curled up on her lap, paws and tail tucked in, likely giving her legs the only bit of warmth to be had in this dark, freezing tool shed.  The cat opened its round golden eyes and seemed to study him. If ever a cat looked ready to speak... Nick shook his finger at her. "I already have a horse who, I swear, can read my mind. Don’t you start." The cat blinked once, glanced up to the woman, whose head bobbled sideways at what looked like a painful angle, then turned the too-knowing eyes back to Nick.  Wind hissed through the poorly built walls, causing the flame in his lamp to flicker in a wild dance. Nick studied the woman, and fought back the pity tugging at his heart at her sorry state. In the dim light her hair, the color of sunset, was mussed and dirty, and looked to be braided down her back. Her delicate face was stark white against the thick black blindfold tied around her eyes, and even in the poor light he saw bruises atop her high cheek bones. Her full lips, also pale with cold, were chapped, with the lower lip split, a small trickle of dried blood marring her small chin. Slamming a lid on the compassion her pitiful state stirred within him, he walked around her. Her hands were bound behind her, and her wrists, where she had struggled against the coarse rope, bled freely at some point, making a crimson puddle atop the frozen, hard packed earth the chair sat upon. Bloody day! The scent of blood would draw hungry vermin and worse in no time. Unless the scent of the cat deterred them... Nick pulled his handkerchief from his pocket as he glanced around the shed for water. Finding a bucket, he moved to it and frowned at the frozen crust. He used the butt of his dagger to break through the ice, then dipped his handkerchief into the freezing water.

His lips pressed together, cursing himself a hundred kinds of fool, he knelt behind the woman and gently washed away the blood. Nick glared at the thick tightly knotted rope binding her tiny wrists. Cursing under his breath, he undid the knot, cleaned her wounds as best he could, then retied the rope higher up on her forearms, just tight enough to hold her, yet nay harm her any more than she’d already been harmed. He scooped up the bloody dirt from where her injuries had dripped and slung it well away from the prisoner, then stood and moved to face the woman once again. The similarities between this day, finding this woman, and the day when he'd found his sister were almost too much to bear.  Both prisoners. Both abused by those stronger than them. His sister had held a secret back then. Was it possible the similarities continued and this woman likewise held secrets?  Secrets that could cost those closest to him their lives? Her teeth continued to chatter and Nick cursed the whole wretched situation.  Whether she was Clayton's woman, or not, she was doomed.  But if she was that vile creature’s woman, and she perished in this freezing shed, they would never find Clayton or have any chance of guessing where he might strike next. Nick shrugged out of his heavy cloak and carefully draped it over her shoulders, securing it at the neck with a pin. There was no way to put it on her properly, with the ropes, but it was large enough about her tiny frame that it would make a tent of sorts to shield her from the worst of the cold. Apparently unimpressed with Nick's chivalry, the cat gave him another one of its looks, then stood and turned its back to him, curled close to the prisoner, then tucked its head into its paws and went back to sleep.

Mildreth McCann shivered. Her bruised skin pricked with goose bumps as she tried to move her arms and legs to no avail. She was secured, bound hand and foot to what felt like a straight-backed chair. A band had been painfully tied over her eyes, leaving her in a world pitch black and terrifying in its unrelenting darkness. The dank scent of mildew filled her nostrils and dampness seeped right into her bones. A cellar, then. She listened, desperate to hear if she was alone or if someone watched her. She recalled with perfect clarity the shouted questions and the blows that followed her silence. What these men wanted with Lord Clayton was beyond her, but her own reason for finding the no good scoundrel burned bright and hot in her heart.  He’d used her. The whole time she thought she’d been using him to acclimate to this time and place, he’d been using her as a diversion to cover his tracks. Tracks that would put his noble neck in a noose should he be caught. If she had anything to do with the matter, caught he would be. He’d taken her sword.  Sent her on a fool’s errand to lead his pursuers away from him and when she’d at last made her way to their prearranged meeting place, he and her precious weapon had been gone. Mildreth swallowed back helpless tears. Her sword. The very sword that decades ago had started the series of events which sent her traveling through time, always in search of her Heartmark nieces.  Her task was the same, time after time: find the Heartmark woman, identify the man who captures her heart, and then set out to destroy the love between them. Mildreth’s sole purpose for existing.  Punishment for raising her sword against her own brother in a jealous rage. She regretted that moment more each time she whirled through the centuries to meet with yet another Heartmark niece. Bitterness welled tight in her breast. Each time she landed in a new era she was once again nineteen years old, her appearance the same as it had been that fateful day in her brother’s chamber, when she’d struck out at Colin with her jealous sword.  Her skin glowed with youth, her copper hair gleamed like a beacon in the sunlight and her garments were once again splattered with her brother’s blood. And each and every time her sword traveled with her, regardless if she’d been holding it when plucked from one era to another. It’s gleaming metal blade, stained crimson with Colin’s life’s blood, always accompanied her. Mildreth’s aging process began anew. Day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year, until her niece in that age uttered the words Mildreth despaired ever uttering herself, the words which bound her niece to the man of her heart forever, thereby putting an end to that era and tossing Mildreth into another.  To begin again. A vicious circle with no end that Mildreth could see. She started and suppressed a gasp as something soft brushed up against her ankle then scurried nosily away.  A rat most likely. Mildreth forced herself to breathe normally. She despised how helpless and vulnerable she was, yet, perversely, she was also mildly curious what would happen to her if her captors decided to slay her. She’d never been murdered before.  Thus far in this era she had not even come close to a woman who could be the Heartmark woman. She was not allowed to physically harm her nieces or their men, but Mildreth did not know if she was likewise protected from someone harming or slaying herself. Peace settled around her like a warm blanket and she relaxed against the hard back of the chair. Perhaps, if her life were ended before she found the Heartmark woman and set out to destroy the love between her and man she loved -- it would finally be over. Her lip pulled into a half smile and she winced as the broken skin tugged open to send a trickle of blood down her chin. Perhaps then her endless journeys through time would come to a blessed end. No more quests for vengeance. No more harming her brother and Aleena’s daughters.  Mildreth could be at peace in her complete nonexistence.  She could rest. Her head lulled back and she breathed deep. “Let them do their worst,” she whispered. “I’ll not tell them anything at all about Lord Clayton. I know the faces of the wiliest men in London, those he hired to be his eyes and ears. If I survive, it will be I myself who finds him.” Her jaw clenched. “And he will feel the vengeance of the sword he stole from me. I vow it.”  

Sabrina heaved in gulps of frigid air even as her lungs burned from her exertion. She stumbled to a wide, rotted out stump of a pine tree and slumped against it as she struggled to catch her breath. She’d made it! The stretch of pristine lawns had seemed endless, yet she’d made it. She gazed back at her clear foot prints leading from the shed to the forest. If only it would snow and cover those tracks, she could make her escape without fear of her captors simply following after her. “But to where?” A pitiful meow sounded in the cold air. Sabrina jumped, chuckled as she reached down and picked up the cute little calico cat, tucking her beneath her borrowed cloak she hugged her tight. “Thank you, little one,” she whispered. “You saved me.” Purring was her only response. Sabrina smiled, then peeked down at the furry bundle in her arms. “You’re my animal helper, aren’t you?” Gold eyes blinked at her. “I’ve read the diary countless times,” she confided, “and I’ve been waiting my entire life to meet you.” Her heart thumped against her chest. “And if you’re here with me, now, then it’s only a matter of time before he’ll come into my life.” She smiled and touched a cold finger to the small, heart shaped birth mark at the outside corner just below her right eye. Her Heartmark. The birthmark that she shared with countless ancestors. Ancestors who had to fight a time traveling enemy to hold onto their true loves. Sabrina’s heart raced in excitement and anticipation. She knew she would be one of the lucky ones. She and her true love, whoever he was, would survive whatever this as yet unseen enemy could bring their way. If only her father and brothers were here. They all knew about the destiny of the Heartmark women of their family line. They were the ones who’d shared the legend with her. They would have helped her win her heart’s desire. She blinked away tears and firmed her shoulders. “It’s okay,” she told the cat. “I’ll win on my own, I know it.” She turned her eyes to the manor.  “I just have to somehow get into the room I was using at Mitchell Manor and retrieve the diary and brooch. My story can’t play out completely without them.” The cat bumped her head against Sabrina's shoulder and purred. Sabrina cuddled the cat closer. “I don’t know how I’ll get inside without getting captured again, but I have to.” Sabrina had occupied the small, cheerful room in the north wing of the Manor since her father had been ordered to keep an eye on the place fourteen years ago, when she was eleven. About a month ago servants had begun to arrive, signaling the impending return of the young lord. Her papa had told her then to collect her things and take them back to their cottage. Her duties as a housekeeper were no longer needed with the young lord's real staff coming in, but she’d put it off, loath to give up her small bit of comfort and luxury the simple room had offered. She sighed. She should have listened to papa. If she had, her diary would not be under the roof of the home her captors now occupied.  

---

ABOUT Lynette Endicott

Lynette Endicott grew up in Illinois, met her husband in Western Nebraska, lived 25 years in Kansas where their daughter was born, and has been in Fresno, California since 2000. She has a son-in-law (who lives with her daughter nearby), and has rescued a dog, a bird and three cats. She and Ollie, her terrier mix, volunteer as a team at the local library, where children read to the dog.

At a youth camp when she was 14 the editor and teacher of a writing class challenged her to submit something to his youth magazine. She did and it was the first of 10 articles and stories accepted by the publication over the next few years.

Nothing like front end success to keep her writing! Lynette enjoys reading contemporary romance and speculative fiction and writes both. Her debut book, Starting Over Book One: More Than A Job, and two more books in that series, The Return of Joy and Finding Her Voice are available now. The first three of the Time After Time Saga with Tami Dee are available now, including Animal Instinct, Survival Instinct and Pioneer Instinct. The fourth in the series of six, Protective Instinct, will release in August 2014.

Because she didn't have pets until after her 50th birthday the animals she enjoys find their way into all her books. Usually you will also find a character with a disability as part of the day-to-day fabric of the story. In More Than A Job, Paige works in services to people with disabilities until she loses her job and starts over. In The Return of Joy, Atlas, the yellow lab, becomes a Therapy Dog. In the Time After Time series animal helpers assist the hero and heroine in all six of the books in the series.

Lynette loves hearing from her fans! Please connect with her on:

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads | Pinterest

---

ABOUT Tami Dee

Becoming an author was a dream I never really thought would come true for me. I have dyslexia, yet, despite the struggle, I adore weaving stories for others to enjoy.

I am a member of Romance Writers of America, Desert Breeze connections, RWA San Francisco Area Romance Writers, RWA Scriptscence, and RWA Celtic Hearts Romance Writers.

You can connect with Tami on:

Website | Goodreads

---

To celebrate the release of PROTECTIVE INSTINCT, Lynette and Tami will be giving away a $20.00 Amazon Gift Card to one grand prize winner, a $10.00 Gift Card to either Starbucks or Teavana to the second runner up and an ecopy of PROTECTIVE INSTINCT to the third runner up. Enter the giveaway every day for more chances to win. All entries must be received by August 18th before midnight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Gifted Curse: The Lost Tales **NEW RELEASE** Exclusive Excerpt! #mustread #asmsg

Now available on Amazon for only 99 cents! Download today!

Two tales of fantasy, darkness, and magic by award-winning paranormal fantasy author, K.N. Lee 

The Last of the Jinn 

Pregnant and enslaved by her own husband, Malah must find a way to steal her powers back and escape. 

The Ticking Ring 

Ella is an American woman that has found true love in Ireland. She never knew that the man of her dreams had a secret, or that his secret could remove her from the mortal world... 

Bonus Material 

Chapter One of Netherworld: The Chronicles of Koa Book One.

Malah rummaged through the dead guard’s clothing. Sweat dripped from her forehead onto the man’s chest as the heat of the room gained intensity. Malah grew dizzy and despite the heat felt a debilitating coldness crawl under her skin as her hand searched the last pocket.

Nothing.

She pulled her dagger from the guard’s head and wiped it clean on the bottom of her nightgown. Her eyes scanned the corridor. Four dead Parthan soldiers lie on the stone floor. None of them had an antidote for whatever poison the clerics had given her. Her full belly churned. She pressed her hand to her belly and closed her eyes with a sigh. Life stirred beneath her palm.

Two innocent lives.

Read More By Downloading A Gifted Curse For 99 Cents on Amazon!

Enter the Dark Prophet Super Prize Giveaway! Purchase A Gifted Curse, and you could win super swag, giftcards, ebooks, signed books, and more!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dark Prophet **Exclusive** 99 Cent Sale! (ENDS SOON) #mustread

Book Two of the Best-Selling Novel, The Chronicles of Koa: Netherworld 

Not all vampires are created equal... 

Koa is a half-blood vampire with not only the ability to fly, but survive in the sun's light. She will do anything to protect her mother, and break her curse. The demon, Bund, wants more than her mother's life. He wants something from Koa, a power that she doesn't even know she has, and will rip through as many humans as he can to get her to surrender. 

Agent Koa Ryeo-won, and her boss, Halston, formed a crew of supernatural agents to stop Bund. But is a prophet, a temptress, a War-Breeder, a half-blood with an enchanted sword, and a few angels enough to stop what Bund has planned? 

In the midst of a war between the humans of the mortal world, and the creatures of the Netherworld, Koa discovers the truth of her past. She finds herself torn between two men, and in the center of everything. Faced with all of her returned memories, Koa also finds herself more powerful than ever. Being a half-blood is hard enough, but what exactly is Koa's other half? 

The truth can save...or destroy everything. 

Will the Netherworld Division stand behind Koa once they learn her secret? 

**Bonus Material** 

Chapter 1 of K.N. Lee's young adult fantasy, Academia of the Beast!

Part One:

Netherworld

Memories

Chapter 1

Koa frowned down at her body. A red dress. Koa hated red, but she did not have a choice. Like the blood that Koa had spilled the night before when she had been cut with a glowing dagger, the dress was dark and rich.

Ceremonies such as this were normal in the Netherworld. The wound on her white wrist healed before her eyes. Within minutes, the ceremony was complete, the tests were run, and it was confirmed that she was indeed the daughter of Alsand Vangelis, the vampire king of Elyan.

Only hours ago, Koa was awakened by a team of violet-eyed women tugging at her limbs. They washed her in scalding hot water, scrubbed her raw with oils, and slathered creams onto her snow-white skin. They straightened her thick black hair and painted her face with colors that Koa only thought older women were allowed to wear. Then, she had been dressed.

In a gaudy red wedding gown… at the age of twelve.

Koa wanted to run from the black temple that she and her father had slept in. On the side of a mountain, the temple faced the back of the dark kingdom that was meant to be her prison for an eternity. She wanted to break free from the parade of attendants sent to accompany her and fly home.

The human world seemed so far away.

No one understood just how much she did not want to do this. This wasn’t to be a human wedding, but a Netherworld wedding… a vampire wedding.

Koa scrunched up her nose as she looked down at the billowing gown, littered with sparkling crystals and black taffeta. She looked like a gothic spin on a Disney princess.

Vampire Barbie, she thought to herself.

Even at such a young age, Koa knew she did not fit the role of such a character. She was not a doll or a character from the books she read. She closed her eyes and tried to calm her nerves.

Like boiling acid, anxious feelings churned within her stomach, making her feel like she might faint, or worse… vomit at any moment.

How embarrassing that would be, Koa thought as she chewed her lip. She grimaced. Her lips tasted horrible, like tar. She’d almost forgotten that she was covered in makeup like a clown. Her small hands shook and she wanted to cry. It took all of her strength to keep the tears from escaping and causing an even bigger scene. With hot cheeks she held her breath, and prayed for an escape.

Koa was afraid of this dark place, where neither the sun nor moon existed. The entire population was composed of millions of creatures that would have given normal girls nightmares. “Nephilim” is what her father called them. The spawn of fallen angels. King Alsand was a nephilim. Koa was as well.

She was glad that her father was by her side. He never let go of her hand. With her free hand, Koa tugged at the high collar of her gown. She groaned. The black lace made the skin on her throat itch.

Koa looked up at her father. She was small, and her father always looked like such a giant to her. King Alsand walked regally by her side. He commanded such attention. With his head held high, his face depicted an air of authority. Together, they walked at the head of the procession through the wide streets of Lyrinia, while the citizens watched in uneasy silence.

Netherworld vamps, War-Breeders, Jems, Syths, and even ghouls came out of their hiding spots to catch a glimpse of the mysterious half-blood princess.

Koa tried not to stare back at the horrific creatures all around. The sound of metal and robotic buzzing noises caught her attention as a quad of Scayors entered the crowd. Everyone stepped aside to let them through to the front. Like metallic giants, slim, and sleek, the Scayors patrolled the event like silent police. Their eyes cast a dim green glow over what they scanned.

She shuddered when their gaze lingered on her. She feared that they were reading her thoughts and knew that she was afraid of them. That was one thing that Koa hated, the admission of fear. Even the monk-like Syths scared her. They were big, pale, creatures with bald heads and faces covered in tattoos.

Lightning broke out and everyone looked up to the sky. Koa clutched her father’s arm and paused.

He smiled down at her. “Don’t worry, Koa. It’s not a real sky, my love. That is simply the ground of another Netherworld level. I believe they are having a battle up there.”

Koa’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the dismal black sky. Lightning struck again, but it wasn’t the kind of lighting that she was used to. It was green and took the shape of various symbols as it faded into the dark. To think that they were only on one of the many levels of the Netherworld, and that entire civilizations and kingdoms were going about their business with little to no care about what an important day this was for Lyrinia was too much for young Koa to grasp.

When she looked back down, she saw that everyone had returned their attention to her. Vampire women and men stared at her. They were the only creatures that she wasn’t fearful of. Father had various vampires over at the manor from time to time, but none of them looked as picturesque as these Netherworld vamps.

Painted faces stared at her. The vampire women were the most beautiful women that Koa had ever seen, and yet none compared to her mother’s simple and natural beauty. These women were like painted dolls who she imagined tipping over and watching crack into pieces of porcelain.

Koa noticed how they seemed to be separated into groups. The red lipsticks on the left and the black lipsticks on the right. Koa didn’t know if it was simply a fashion trend or something more, but all of the women wore the most elaborate gowns and jeweled arrangements on their perfectly sculptured hairdos.

They watched her, unblinking, unsmiling. She could see the judgment in their eyes.

“Father,” Koa breathed. She looked away from their violet eyes and clutched her father’s arm.

King Alsand looked down at her. His green eyes were serious today. “What is it, darling?”

Koa looked ahead at the sparkling golden palace before them. The golden plates along the palaces walls shimmered and reflected all of the light from the Disc Moon, the artificial moon of the Netherworld. Her voice was caught in her throat. Something felt odd and yet she felt drawn to the palace. It stood out like a candle in the dark and pulled her in, as if by magic, like a moth to a porch light.

Koa’s face paled. This was the place that would be her new home. King Greggan’s teenage son, Prince Jax, would be her new husband.

Koa stopped. The guards that were leading them looked back and seemed ready to seize her and force her forward.

King Alsand leaned down to her ear. “What’s wrong?”

“I want to go home.”

Her father patted her hand and when one of the Syth guards stepped forward, he whipped out the Lyrinian sword with lightning speed. Everyone drew in a breath and stepped back as they beheld its power. The ring of steel rang throughout the air. It pulsed, audibly, and visibly as the red glow made the air heat and crackle.

Even Koa held her breath as her eyes shot to the Lyrinian blade.

King Alsand’s raptor-like glare burned into the guards, warning them to keep their distance. He didn’t have to say a word. The red glow of the black blade was enough to make the large brutish creatures rethink their actions.

King Alsand waited a moment longer, making sure that they knew how serious he was. Koa had only trained with that sword once. The power was too great for her now, but one day it would be hers.

She flinched when her father’s glare landed on her. “Koa, this is your home.”

Koa shook her head, but avoided his eyes. She looked around. The air was stale, not like the fresh, fragrant air of France. The sky was dark, lit only by the Disc Moon that cast different colors across the land whenever the hour changed.

She missed the moon of Earth. She missed the sun, the trees, and the flowers. The Netherworld felt like a nightmare from which she would never awaken. No matter what color the day was in the Netherworld, it was always too dark for her. Koa’s father didn’t understand her love for daylight, for he had never seen real daylight.

The sun’s rays would kill him just as surely as it would kill any vampire, Netherworld or New World. Koa was the only exception and she wished that he would at least try to understand.

“You are half Netherworld vamp, Koa,” her father gave her hand a squeeze. “This is where you belong, amongst your people.”

“I am also half human.”

King Alsand looked down at her and pursed his lips. His eyes hid something from her.

Koa tried to soften her voice and sound as sweet as possible. “Bring mother here, and maybe I won’t feel so homesick,” Koa reasoned, her green eyes hopeful.

King Alsand shook his head, but his features softened for her. “My darling girl. You will see that this is the place for you. You belong here with your people. The treaty has already been signed.” He leaned closer to her ear and whispered. “Your mother cannot come here Koa. She is safe in the mortal world. If we do not fulfill our side of the treaty, she will be in danger. Now, is that what you want?”

Her lips trembled. She shook her head quickly. Just the thought of someone harming her mother made her feel sick. She didn’t know what she would do if she lost that sweet, loving, woman.

She looked into her father’s eyes.

“Do you understand what I am telling you?”

Koa nodded. She understood, but she still didn’t agree with what was happening.

Alsand smiled and stroked her pale white cheek.

“But I don’t want to do this,” Koa whispered.

Alsand’s smile faded, but his eyes didn’t turn cold on her as she expected. He knelt down to her level and cupped her cheek.

“I know, my dear girl, but sometimes we have to do things that we don’t want to… to protect those that we love.”

“May I?” Faun asked of Alsand.

Alsand nodded and Faun gathered her white skirts in one hand and scampered over to fix Koa’s long black hair. Koa didn’t take her eyes from her father’s. She hoped that he would see how miserable she was.

Koa ignored Faun as she examined her face with violet eyes. She was adamant about making sure that Koa’s part was perfectly straight and that her hair fell in long ringlets.

“Smile,” she said.

Koa twisted her mouth. “I don’t want to.”

Faun put her hands on her bony hips. She scrunched up the space between her thin brows as she narrowed her eyes at Koa. “Just do it. It’s only for a second.”

Koa rolled her eyes and faked a quick smile.

“That wasn’t so hard, now was it?” Snickering, she gathered her skirts in her hand. “You have red lipstick on your teeth,” she said and returned to her place in the procession behind Koa and her father.

Frustrated, Koa rubbed her teeth with her finger. She knew just how ridiculous she looked. Black liner, red lips, and rosy cheeks.

Alsand locked arms with Koa. He leaned close and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He lowered his voice into a whisper. “Remember, never mention that you can walk in the sun. Never.”

Koa swallowed and squeezed her eyes shut. “I know, father. You don’t have to keep reminding me.”

“Good,” he stood back to his full height. His eyes widened and he leaned down again. “Or that you can fly.”

Koa nodded, her head down. “Yes, I know.”

He pinched her cheek. “Good. Shall we continue, darling?”

“I don’t know, father.” Koa couldn’t bring herself to look at her father again. “Is there anything else that you want to remind me not to say or do?” Her eyes were burning from the tears that threatened to gush forth.

Alsand noticed and simply shook his head. He patted her hand.

She hung her head. Once again, they were walking down the black stone walkway that led to the gate and stone doors of the Lyrinian palace.

Koa’s heart pattered against her ribcage. She felt like she might have an anxiety attack. So many eyes staring. So much anticipation in the air.

Those golden gates that she’d been staring at for the past hour, as they walked through the entire kingdom, were held open for them and heavily guarded.

When Koa stepped through the gates and entered a massive courtyard of stone. Their path was lit for them. On either side of the carpet were artificial trees of stone and black clay. They weren’t real, but they were beautiful. Art.

Even Koa could appreciate the mastery. She examined the sculptures as she followed her escort through the courtyard and to the stone doors that led into the palace. Once inside, light seemed to fill every dark space. Chandeliers, torches, candles, mirrors reflecting the light, and light discs were positioned all over the wide corridor.

It was then that Koa contemplated flying away. She’d thought of it often. It would be her last chance. She took a peek over her shoulder. She could still see the door. She’d just promised her father that she would keep her abilities a secret. She wasn’t sure why such things were so important.

She could simply lift herself into the air, and head for the Gate, but visions of her mother being harmed kept her firmly planted to the purple carpeted floor.

Koa felt numb, like she was walking to her prison cell.

Each corridor led to another corridor of a different theme. From one of light and mirrors they stepped through grand archers to a corridor of dim candles and artificial flowers in vases painted with paint that seemed to have a light of its own. There was a corridor with walls filled with paintings and soft music played by a small creature that resembled the one at the Gate. Tunes was what her father called him, but all Koa remembered was how creepy he was. She shuddered as she recalled Tunes’ bulbous eyes.

Koa watched it buzz around with short black wings as it blew eerie melodies out of its flute. She tapped her chin and furrowed her brows as she tried to remember what kind of creature it was.

With bat-like wings and rubbery, yellowish skin, she was sure she’d seen that creature in a book from her father’s study. Koa spent hours in there, reading anything that she could get her hand on. The Netherworld tomes always intrigued her. Now she was faced with the creatures she’d studied.

“An imp!” Koa shouted triumphantly. She covered her mouth with her hand and looked around in horror. She hadn’t meant to say that aloud. Everyone glanced at her with disapproval, but the imp continued playing its flute until they went into the next corridor.

Koa was relieved to find that the maze of corridors had finally ended, and that they were finally in the main ballroom where the prince and the royal family awaited them.

She stepped into the room, from carpet to shiny granite floors and a flood of light and decorations overwhelmed her senses. She didn’t want to admit how beautiful it was, but her eyes widened at the spectacle. Hundreds of chairs draped with gold silk lined either side of the alleyway that led to the dais where the thrones stood.

Her heart thumped. She felt something she hadn’t expected. Koa’s face flooded with blood as her eyes met those of the prince.

No one else mattered. Nothing else existed as Koa’s eyes cut through the crowd and down to the set of five thrones as Koa and her father stopped before the platform.

“Princess Evina, 1st Queen Katya, 2nd Queen Lera, your highness, King Greggan, and Prince Jax, behold King Alsand of Elyan and Princess Koa.”

Koa heard the introductions but something odd was happening. She stared at Prince Jax with her mouth agape.

He was the most attractive person she had ever seen in her life: piercing dark blue eyes, dark blood-red hair, and a perfectly sculpted chin and nose. Koa felt her face flush as he looked her up and down. Then, he did something that made her grin, despite her previous fears and doubts.

Prince Jax winked at her.

Chapter 2

Koa’s grin widened. A weight was lifted from her shoulders and she felt light as air.

Excitement flooded her small body. She held her head a little higher and practically beamed.

Everyone in attendance could read her expression. Whispers swept through the room as the guests watched the exchange of looks between Koa and Prince Jax. Jax sat at the edge of his seat, his youthful face bright with surprise. Koa wondered if he’d been imagining her as an ugly troll. She never even considered the prince actually being attractive.

Maybe this isn’t so bad, she thought as she admired Prince Jax’s perfect face. She’d never seen anyone that looked like him, and from the citizens of Lyrinia that she’d encountered so far, Jax probably never saw anyone like her. Growing up in Korea, Koa was kept from others, but everyone had the same dark eyes and black hair.

Koa saw something familiar in Jax’s dark blue eyes. She saw mischief, even as he sat beside his father who looked like an evil statue. Koa liked that look. She shared the same craving for mischief. Mischief meant fun was in store. She took her hand from her father’s and found herself drawn to the prince. She wanted to speak with him, to share stories, and play games.

He’s cute, she thought as she smoothed her dress. Koa never thought she’d be married at the age of twelve, but she suddenly wasn’t so opposed to it. I’m a princess, she thought. He is a prince. Isn’t it every girl’s dream to have a fairy tale wedding?

Koa didn’t try to hide her admiration and her father smiled down at her. “I told you that everything would be all right,” he whispered.

King Greggan stood. The entire room quieted. Koa’s smile faded. She looked at the man’s face and felt instant warnings flood her mind.

He was pale like his son, and shared the same shade of blood-red hair, yet his was long and in a single braid while Jax’s was short and messy. King Greggan had a long red beard as well, that he stroked as he looked down at them, as if in thought.

Koa couldn’t help thinking that he looked like one of those Vikings that her tutor had taught her about. All he needed was a helmet with horns.

There was something different in the king’s eyes and Koa identified it immediately. She swallowed.

Evil. There wasn’t another word to describe what she saw.

Koa saw it, and she hoped that her father did as well. She did not trust that Netherworld vamp.

While everyone bowed, Koa and King Alsand were allowed to simply nod their head to the king.

King Greggan clasped his hands before him and looked at the Lyrinian sword.

“Come to bind our kingdoms and return the sword your ancestors stole?”

King Alsand looked up at King Greggan and tilted his head. Koa noticed that this was a heated topic, but her father, being the diplomat that he was, would play this like a game.

“Stole?” King Alsand repeated, feigning ignorance.

King Greggan did not reply, but his dark gaze held a deep hatred for her father that didn’t need words. That look made Koa uncomfortable. She’d never seen such hatred before.

King Alsand grabbed the hilt of the Lyrinian sword and withdrew it. King Greggan flinched, but it was such a tiny action that most wouldn’t have caught it.

Koa did.

Her father ran his finger along the black blade. “I do believe it is my family name engraved into the sword’s metal dear friend. The angels passed it on to my line. You may forget your history,” he tilted his head. “I don’t blame you… history can be terribly boring at times. But,” he raised a finger, “the House of Vangelis once sat on the throne of Lyrinia.”

King Alsand looked at Greggan with innocent eyes, but Koa could see the fury silently building behind them. Her eyes went to the Lyrinian blade. It started to glow.

“That is, before the House of Tulach started that little squabble that led to the great divide and forced my family into the Eastern Dominance.”

King Greggan’s mouth twitched. “Little squabble,” he said and nodded his head. He stroked his beard as he regarded her father with silent hate.

“That’s right,” King Alsand replied. “As I am King Alsand Vangelis, and you are King Greggan Tulach, we should remember our history, lest we repeat it.” He slid the sword back into its scabbard. “And my family will keep what is rightfully ours.”

“Rightfully ours? You sound like such a human.”

King Alsand shrugged. “So be it.”

King Greggan’s gaze went from the sword to young Koa. His eyes lingered on her pale face and she felt herself grow self-conscious. She struggled to keep a straight face and not look away.

She would not show fear. She would not let the vamp king see that she wanted nothing more than to hide behind her father like a little girl. Instead, she held her head high, just how she’d been taught.

Never show fear, her father would say. Never.

King Greggan nodded then. Koa wasn’t sure why. Maybe he was agreeing with what her father had just said. Perhaps he was admiring her. She feared that both options were false.

“Yes. I believe you’re right.” His eyes lifted to her father’s and he mocked an innocent look of his own. His bushy red brows rose. “So, you wouldn’t mind if I marry your daughter, rather than give her to my son, would you?”

Koa’s jaw dropped. Her stomach sank. Even Prince Jax was visibly surprised by his father’s words. The only person who wasn’t surprised was King Alsand.

To Koa’s horror, he nodded. She yelped. “No!” She covered her mouth with her hand as her plea seemed to loudly echo throughout the ballroom.

Her father put out a hand to silence her. He looked up at King Greggan.

“If that is your wish, my daughter, Princess Koa of Elyan in the Eastern Dominance will be glad to be your bride. As it states in the treaty—that the angels comprised, mind you—the first born female of the House of Vangelis will be offered to the House of Tulach for peacekeeping. So, the male counterpart is of little concern.”

Koa felt her face go red with fury. She shook her head. She bit her lip as she looked into his eyes. Her eyes stung from tears and she risked whispering to him, “Please, father.”

King Greggan showed his first smirk then. “Are you sure, dear friend? I’d hate to have to break the treaty ‘that the angels comprised’ due to a misunderstanding and start the war up again.”

Koa was nudged forward. She resisted her father’s nudge. She didn’t want to go. Such an unjustice did not sit well with her. She could have screamed but she knew what would happen if she didn’t go willingly. Many people would die. She whimpered and stood before the vamp king.

“Let the wedding begin.” King Alsand said and Koa knew that her entire world would end. It was official.

Childhood was over.

“Just one second, friend,” Greggan sneered. His eyes were twinkling with malice. “Don’t you want to check with the angels first? We have our very own referee here. Let’s ask him, if this is agreeable to the treaty.”

Koa dared to hope. She’d never seen a real angel, and her interest was thoroughly sparked. Perhaps the angels could save her from this horrible fate. Everyone went silent, and the entire room turned to look towards the back of the room.

Koa followed their gazes. There, in the back, stood two men. One was as tall as a giant and muscular. He didn’t wear a shirt, only an iron breastplate that covered his right shoulder and chest, dark pants under armor, and iron gauntlets on each wrist. Scars covered nearly every inch of his bronze colored body.

Koa had never seen anyone with so many weapons. An axe, a dagger, shiny weapons she couldn’t identify, and a spear. He looked like a warrior god, but it was the man beside him that held her attention.

The man with the bright blonde hair was tall, but not as tall as the other. He wasn’t as flashy either. Only a silver gun peeked from a holster at his side. He was quiet and reserved, but Koa sensed that he was calculating, and perhaps the most powerful being there.

And she was right.

King Greggan’s voice boomed. “What do you say, Master Halston?”

Master Halston gave a single nod. Everyone waited in silent anticipation. “I’ll allow it.”

Koa almost didn’t hear the words that came from his mouth, for their eyes locked and she suddenly doubted everything she thought she knew. It was as if he spoke to her with that one look. He urged her to be brave, to trust, to be patient.

Koa had never seen that man before in her life, but somehow she felt inclined to obey. But at twelve, she couldn’t help but resist.

And she did.

She turned to run, and before she could get even two feet, her body was held immobile by silver bands. Tears stung her eyes as she looked at her father. His face was paler than she’d ever seen it. His eyes were glossy with tears of his own. But what hurt her more than anything was that he did nothing to stop it. He raised a hand, but withdrew it, and stood by in silence.

Koa’s face heated. “You liar,” she growled at her father. “I hate you.”

Chapter 3

Now, at twenty-one, Koa remembered the day her life had changed with stunning clarity. Childhood was no longer a blur. The pain returned with full force. When Koa had broken him out of the prison in the Ivory Tower, Prince Jax had returned her memories to her, and now she would have to deal with what she’d always wanted.

The truth.

Her vision of the dark world before her was blurred by hot tears. The truth truly did hurt. Halston had warned her for years. He’d told her that she was better off not knowing what had happened to her during her time in the Netherworld. Koa shuddered at the memories of what Greggan had done to her back then.

Koa wanted to rip herself free and fly after Halston. The look on his face when they’d parted made her ill. She needed to be certain that he would survive. Even though she had her Jax back, she knew that she would not be able to handle the death of the angel that doomed her, and yet became her best friend.

Jax’s grip on her waist tightened as they approached the first cavern that led out of Lyrinia. The deafening howls of the Wraith made Koa squeeze her eyes shut and cover her ears with her hands.

“I want to go back!” Koa shouted and tugged her body from Jax’s grasp.

Jax wouldn’t let her go. He held on and wrapped his other arm around her. “Koa, listen. You cannot go back. This is our only chance to make it out.”

“He’s right,” Evina, his sister, shouted over the howls. “Let Halston do his job. He can handle it.”

Koa wiped her cheeks of tears and turned to face the first set of caverns.

“Shadows,” she breathed. Memories of the Shadows reaching out to her with their cold hands pulsed in her mind. Halston was not there to protect her from them with the power of his angelic glow this time.

Jax gave her a tender squeeze and whispered into her ear. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Koa.”

His warm breath made her shiver, and she glanced up at him. His face was so close that they could kiss. If she wasn’t fearful for her life, she might have kissed him, just out of the passion she felt from having his body pressed to her. His eyes met hers, twinkling in the dim light of the Netherworld’s Disc Moon.

With a wry smile, he looked ahead. He gave a nod to the entrance of the first cavern. “Don’t worry. We will make it.”

The howls of the Wraith were cut off the second they flew into the cavern. The cold seeped through her skin and into her bones. Koa shivered. She wrapped her arms around Jax’s neck and buried her face into his shoulder. Black, with a dimly lit path below, the cavern reminded her of an eerie forest at night. The smooth black stone that covered the floor was littered with perfectly spaced discs of yellow light.

A flying beetle the size of her fist buzzed before her face. It examined her. Koa smacked it away and cringed when it let out a loud bellow of pain that sounded like an old man. She watched it dart away and wiped its blood onto her jeans.

Jax kissed her forehead. He spoke softly. “We’ll make it. I promise.”

Koa nodded but bit her lip to keep from sobbing.

Halston.

The look in his blue eyes as they parted wouldn’t leave the forefront of her mind. The Ivory Tower could not be the end of him. She needed him.

Koa looked over at Evina. She rode her disc with mastery, as if surfing along the air. Her red hair flew behind her, and she stood with perfect balance with her arms crossed under her large bosom.

“Watch out!” Koa screeched when she saw a glowing arrow cut through the dark.

Evina veered out of the way just in time. Koa’s eyes widened when she looked ahead and saw that there was a squad of guards from the city. Battle-worn soldiers hovered in the air in battle formation. No Scayors or Syths, just vampires that had vowed allegiance to King Greggan.

Jax held her close. “You have any more of those vials from the Alchemist?”

Koa swallowed. Her throat was dry. She shook her head. “No,” she whispered. She tensed as she watched the soldiers.

A woman used her disc to fly ahead of the formation. Koa paled. “Second wife,” she breathed.

Queen Lera, Greggan’s second wife, held her daggers in her hands. “What do you two think you’re doing?” She spoke to Evina and Jax. “Traitors to your own kingdom!” She was not their mother. With her black hair and gray eyes, she was covered in the tattoos of Netherworld dialect with the only ink that could permanently stain a vampire’s flesh.

No, this vampire woman was not the motherly sort. With her hair pulled into a bun at the top of her head, and wrapped in chains of vampire fangs that she had pulled out from her victims, she was a warrior who lived for battle.

“Just get out of the way, Lera.” Jax was calm. He took his arm from around Koa and she stepped off the disc to fly by his side. He took out his daggers, clinked them together, and ignited a red glow that caused the air to sizzle. “I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if I have to.”

Evina snorted a laugh. She pulled her large curved sword from its place along her back and pointed it at Lera. “Oh no, no. Unlike my brother, I would love to make you bleed,” she hissed. She waved Lera on. “Just come a little closer.”

Lera grinned, but her eyes were not filled with joy, but hate. She clinked her dagger’s hilts together and they glowed red as well. She held them ready at her sides. Her eyes went from Evina and back to Jax. “The king doesn’t want you dead, but I have been given clearance to stop you at all costs. Do not expect me to show mercy, because I won’t.”

Koa glanced at Jax and Evina. Neither seemed surprised that their father would have them killed, just to rule in the human world. Koa didn’t like how this was going. Her jaw clenched. Fury started to rise within her belly. She did not know if she would be able to control herself. Her hate for Lera was stronger that her patience.

Koa drew her Lyrinian sword and waited. She counted a dozen soldiers, took stock of what weapons they carried, and prepared for an inevitable battle.

Her stomach bubbled with anticipation. The heat and power of the sword coursed up her arm and filled her veins. She felt strong. The sword gave her courage. She wanted their blood to cover the blade. The sword begged her, like an impatient child.

Gimme! Gimme! Koa imagined it saying to her. It did have a mind of its own, and when drawn, it had an unquenchable thirst for blood.

Lera’s dark gaze landed on Koa. Her grin faded and her lips curled into a snarl.

“You,” she growled. Lera’s face seemed to grow dark as she glared at Koa.

Koa flinched at the look of evil in that woman’s eyes. Her mouth couldn’t form the words that she wanted to say. She wanted to say something snarky like Evina, but her history with the vampire queen was a traumatic one. Instead she looked down at the blade and to Jax.

Jax sensed the tension and moved to put an arm out. Koa looked confused as he pushed her behind him.

Koa raised a brow as Lera licked her daggers. The sharp blade slit her tongue and she let the blood increase their power. “Out of my way, Jax. The half-blood and I have unfinished business.”

Koa’s heart quickened as Lera flew forward. Lera was so quick that Koa barely saw her form cut through the dark.

Koa simply reacted.

And Koa… was quicker.

Koa didn’t mean to do it. It was purely instinctual, but she gripped her sword’s hilt with both hands and ducked beneath Jax’s outstretched arm. She sliced across the air and through both of Lera’s legs with all of the strength within her body. Bone was sawed through and blood sprayed into the air and onto Koa’s white face.

The smell of burning flesh wafted into Koa’s nostrils, and the sound of Lera’s scream thundered in her ears. The Lyrinian sword’s blade glowed brighter, redder.

Hungrier.

Koa looked up. There were still at least a dozen more bodies to let it feast upon.

Gimme! Gimme!

Koa ground her teeth as she flew past and looked back at the screaming vampire queen as she reached for her bloodied knees in horror.

The soldiers, Jax, and Evina, watched Lera fall down to the black ground below.

Jax’s eyes slowly rose to meet hers. His jaw still hung in surprise.

Koa cleared her throat and nodded to the soldiers. “Well, are we killing them and escaping or not?” Drunk off of adrenaline and the intoxicating power of the Lyrinian sword, Koa dove into the frenzy of battle.

She never looked back, but she heard Evina’s battle cry and the clashing of steel against steel behind her.

Koa was never a tidy fighter. She was more of a wild animal, uncaring about how she killed a foe, only that they died as quickly and effectively as possible.

And so, her sword was used as merely an extension of her arm. With wide movements, she flung her arm in a circle and sliced through one soldier’s belly. She grabbed the next closest soldier by the back of his head with her free hand and kneed him in the face, shattering his jaw. He fell from his disc and went crashing to the ground.

Koa grinned almost evilly. How dare they try to fight her in her element? No other vampire could fly, and their discs were not as reliable as her body.

She grunted as a dagger stabbed her in the side. Eyes wide with rage, she caught a female vamp’s arm and twisted it out of its socket. The soldier cried out. Then, Koa grabbed her by her long hair and flew with great speed higher into the black sky. The soldier’s flying disc hovered in the same spot below.

She grabbed Koa by the jaw and shouted at her in a language that she only understood vaguely. Netherworld dialect was burned somewhere in the dark recesses of her mind that she’d tried to forget, but she understood one word.

“Mercy.”

Like a cruel executioner, Koa sliced through her neck with her sword. She held the vamp’s head by her hair and watched her body fall lifeless below. Then, in Netherworld dialect she spoke to her severed head, bringing its empty eyes close to her face.

“No mercy.”

Then, alone above the carnage of what Jax and Evina did to the remaining soldiers, she tossed the head far off like a ball. Hot tears burned her eyes again. Images of what she’d suffered threatened to drive her mad. She tried to push them back into the box of unwanted memories, but they refused to go back. Koa growled and covered her eyes. How many times had she cried for mercy and King Greggan ignored her?

She shivered, cold and exhausted. She wrapped her arms around herself and spoke to the quiet that followed as Jax and Evina looked up at her, done with the battle.

“Halston,” she whispered between sobs. Her dagger wound throbbed, but not as much as her head. It threatened to make her black out, but for some reason Koa knew that she could not let herself go. She feared what would happen if she let herself go into that dark place. Sleep was not an option. Not until she and the others were free from the horror of the Netherworld. Not until she knew her loved ones were safe.

“Oh, Halston. Please hurry.”


Available on Amazon for only 99 cents!

Enter the Dark Prophet Giveaway!