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

onto her. She wished she knew more about what was happening.
     
    “They will keep coming after her, until you return her.” She waved a hand in the dark and Koa gasped. Mists swirled around before them. White swirls of air that danced in the dark revealed a tall gate of some sort. Koa felt her heart pound. She had seen this gate before. It was the Gate to the Netherworld, the portal that some of the nephilim had escaped from.
     
    “You are smart, Halston. Smarter than the men of this world. Clever and resourceful. Use your skill to find a way around this bargain. Give them what they want, and get what you want.” She leaned forward. “Find an ally…outthink your enemies.”
     
    Koa watched Halston’s face. He was on the same track as the Oracle. “An ally? Do you think, he will help us, after everything?”
     
    The Oracle shrugged and sat back down. “One way to find out.”
     
    The lights returned to normal and they were surprised to see that the Oracle was sleeping. Her little snores filled the room. Halston pulled Koa up put a finger to his lips.
     
    She nodded. They quickly, and quietly, walked out of the den. They left the tiny flat, and Halston didn’t stop when they were outside. He hurried with Koa in tow until they were at the car.
     
    He held her door open. “Get in.”
     
    Koa did so and Halston did the same. They drove off much quicker than when they arrived. Koa looked out the window. She was already formulating a plan of her own. She couldn’t trust Halston to give her the freedom to search for answers, so she would have to do it without him.
     
    If he wanted to keep secrets from her, then she would do the same. She knew of a nephilim clan that would definitely have answers. She just didn’t know if they’d give them to her without a fight.
     
     Koa sighed and gave Halston a sidelong glance. She was tempted to tell him her plan, but that spark of doubt nagged at her once more. She shook her head and looked out the window at the dark streets. Soft rain began to fall.
     
      I guess I’ll just have to find out on my own .
     

Chapter 7
     
     
    H alston dropped Koa off at the safe house. She would be occupied with paperwork that would last her for at least a couple of hours. He hoped that was enough time for him to execute his plan. Now, he stood before Koa’s new cottage with the passenger door open…for Raven. She ran from the house, jumped over the gate and scurried into the front seat.
     
    Halston closed the door and looked around. No one was around. The night was dark and quiet. He walked around to his side and got in.
     
    “Where is Koa?” Raven asked.
     
    Halston knew that would be her first question. She was a good mother to the girl. He wished she didn’t have to get cursed.
     
    “At the safe house. I gave her enough paperwork to keep her busy for a while.”
     
    Raven curled into the leather seat and looked at him with big, green, eyes. “Well, you know Koa…”
     
    Halston shrugged a shoulder. “Yes, I do. I thought the same thing, but she has no idea what I have planned.”
     
    “You better hope she doesn’t. My daughter can be more than a bit headstrong at times. I still worry about her as much as I did when she was a toddler.”
     
    Halston smirked. “Who are you telling? I learned that the day I met her.”
     
    “So, it’s true then, Bund is looking for Koa?”
     
    Halston’s face turned serious. He nodded. “Yes.” He tightened his grip on the leather steering wheel.
     
    “Do you think he means to kill her?”
     
    “No,” Halston said. “If there is one thing can depend on is the fact that Bund will do anything for payment.” He gave Raven a look. “And Greggan pays very well.”
     
    Raven shivered. “Too bad it’s not money Bund wants.”
     
    Halston thought of all the children’s bodies he’d seen sprawled around London. They had been mutilated, gutted, bled, and left in artistic poses, as if to taunt Halston. Bund had a