The Chronicles of Koa: Netherworld by K. N. Lee, Ann Wicker Page A

that’s been happening lately?”
     
    The Oracle nodded. “He is.”
     
    Koa looked from one to the other. “Who are you talking about?”
     
    Halston sat back and Koa nearly yelled at him not too. He would get cat fur all over his clothes. She restrained herself.
     
    What is wrong with you? Koa thought to herself. That is not important right now. Focus.
     
    “Then we have lost already.” Halston ran both hands through his hair. Koa knew that meant he was worried. His brain was already trying to calculate a solution. He was lost to them for now. He would not speak until he thought of a solution.
     
    Koa put her hands on her hips and leaned forward. “Who is he ?”
     
    The Oracle shrugged. “The Bringer of Death.”
     
    Koa raised an eyebrow. “Sounds a bit dramatic…” Koa hid her rising apprehension. Such a title, said by the Oracle, must be serious.
     
    “Well, he the creator of the ‘new world’ vampires. Before him, nephilim were only in the Netherworld. He the reason we have vampires in the human world. He also the one who ordered your father killed.”
     
    Koa frowned. “Bund killed my father, who are you talking about?” Koa felt her skin tighten.
     
    “Bund is general. He not the commander in chief. He not a king. The king…he is free. You should be afraid of him . Humans all over should hide their children from Bund, and lock their doors to keep Greggan out. They are a terrible pair. I’m thirsty.” The Oracle smacked her lips together. “Want some tea?”
     
    Koa sat frozen. She couldn’t speak. She shook her head to the Oracle’s question. The Oracle shrugged and came to her feet. She walked back to her kitchen. Koa heard cabinets opening and being slammed shut. She heard dishes clanking together.
     
    Koa nudged Halston. “Is she talking about who I think she is? Is it really the king of the Netherworld?”
     
    Halston groaned. He rubbed his temples. “No, Koa, there isn’t just one king of all the Netherworld, just like there isn’t one king for of the human world. Greggan is but one, but he is one of the worst that we could dare to face.”
     
    Koa grabbed his arm. “He’s the reason my father was killed? He’s the one who sent Bund to murder him?”
     
    Halston shrugged his shoulder to his ear and made a face. “Well, yes. Well, not necessarily. Sure he sent the order, there’s a little more to the story.”
     
    Koa shook him. “Tell me then!”
     
    The Oracle returned with a platter of tea cups and a tea pot. She set it on the table that was covered in dust and handed Koa a cup.
     
    Koa didn’t have the energy to protest. There were too many thoughts in her head. She simply sat there, staring off as the Oracle filled her cup with tea. She absentmindedly drank a sip and frowned.
     
    It’s cold , she thought but didn’t dare say it.
     
    “The only way… to solve this problem is to send the girl back.” The Oracle spoke directly to Halston.
     
    Halston shook his head. “I cannot let her go there. You know that.” He stood and reached for Koa. “Let’s go.”
     
    Koa took his hand.
     
    The lights in the room turned blue and everything in the room seemed to glow. “Sit down.”
     
    Both Koa and Halston froze. The Oracle’s voice took on a dangerous tone. Halston gave Koa’s hand a reassuring squeeze and sat back down. Koa looked around and felt a cold chill sweep through the room. She held her breath and looked at the Oracle.
     
    The Oracle’s face seemed to be shrouded in darkness and shadows. It was eerie. Her bifocals turned black and hid her eyes.
     
    “I want peace in my world. My link knows the only way is to return the girl to her proper place.”
     
    “Your link has his motives.”
     
    “Do not speak,” she hissed. She was on her feet and towering over them. The Oracle was a small woman, but somehow Koa felt intimidated and looked away from the dark glasses.
     
    Koa gripped Halston’s hand. She started to feel the fear creep