by K.N. Lee
A mixture of emotions flooded Koa. She thumbed the hilt of her sword for courage. She couldn’t start doubting herself now, not after she had convinced Halston that she was ready for this. She took a deep breath and followed him.
Koa and Halston walked over the jagged rocks to the base of the gate. They were surrounded by a thick, white mist that swirled around their feet, hiding the ground. Blue strands of hair swept around Koa’s face. She pulled her hair back and wrapped a band from her wrist around it, making a long ponytail that reached the small crevice at the base of her back.
The setting, and even how they moved toward the Gate, felt familiar to Koa. The sky was a mixture of gray and white. She walked along the black soil and gazed up at the imposing black structure that stood before her. The Gate itself was a metallic structure with bars and webs of fiery tendrils laced in intricate patterns along the door.
Black trees lined the path to the Gate. Koa marveled at the fiery totems that reached toward the heavens. There were paintings on them and symbols that Koa didn’t recognize engraved in the smooth, dark wood.
Koa was captivated by the way the paintings seemed to come to life whenever she passed one of the totems. The figures followed her with their black eyes and pointed to her.
Koa’s ears perked up. She heard whispering. She tilted her head and listened.
Someone played a violin. The soft melody was soothing. Whoever played it was a master violinist. The tune evoked emotions in Koa that left her in tears. She shuddered, confused by her wet cheeks. She realized immediately that the tune from her dreams was real. She’d dreamt of this very song for years. She hummed along to it.
As they walked closer, the song grew louder and vibrated against her very soul. Once Halston stopped, Koa was in tears, and could barely catch her breath. She couldn’t explain why, but tears soaked her cold cheeks.
Stunned by her reaction, she tried to steady her breaths. Halston glanced over his shoulder at her. His icy blue stare seemed even more ethereal in the intensified light of the moon above them. He looked concerned.
“We are going on a journey to a place where most of the population would love to see you dead just because of your ability to come and go from the Netherworld as you please— because of your threat to the vampires that dwell here,” Halston said. “Do not be fooled by the things you are about to see. This is not a place of beauty. This is not a place of love. You forget that, and you will be a prisoner here. Or worse, you will die. Now, stay close.”
Koa nodded and he reached for her. She remembered when she was twelve. Her father had given her the same warning. She had no idea that this place that gave her nightmares had once been her father’s home. He was a king and had been exiled. Her father had held his hand out to her as well.
Koa gratefully accepted Halston’s hand and he curled his fingers in between hers. She instantly felt more at ease. She exhaled a breath of relief. That relief didn’t last long.
A whistling sound swept through the valley. Out of the mists of the sky, a man landed with a soft thud. He stood tall— even taller than Halston who was considered abnormal by human standards. His long legs and long arms were thin, as was his entire body. His long black hair was straight and reached the middle of his back. His eyes were too big to be human. His mouth was wide, with thin rubbery lips.
Koa gasped. He held a violin. He brought it up under his chin and Koa was transfixed the moment he resumed his song. The tune was jarring on her mind, weakening her. She clutched Halston.
“Halston. What’s happening?”
She was losing herself. Koa was afraid that she might pass out. Halston stopped walking and held her up.
“Make it stop!”
Cold wind slapped at her face as the mists swirled around her, dancing to the tune. The song made her feel as if her bones were cracking under a heavy weight. Her heart was breaking. Koa wanted to fall to her knees and weep with sorrow and pain.
Such a feeling frightened her. Gasping, Koa pressed her hands to her chest. Her heart beat too strongly. She could feel it beating against her rib cage. She gripped her shirt and winced.
The man’s grin widened as he stepped closer to her. He wanted her, only her. Halston didn’t seem to exist.
Koa felt as if her soul was being ripped from her body. She almost cried out in surrender when Halston brought up his other hand and grabbed the man by his neck. The man seemed stunned. He squealed and before her eyes, his body shrank. He shrank, smaller and smaller, until he was even smaller than Koa.
His skin hung loose from being stretched and his hair seeped into his head until he was bald. Grotesque scabs and patches of crust covered his scalp. His skin was a sickly green and dry like a lizard’s in the desert.
Koa’s eyes narrowed. She couldn’t believe it. He had been an illusion. The man was no taller than a child.
“What… who’s there?”
Koa looked at Halston in disbelief. The man couldn’t see him. His eyes darted all around as he searched for whoever held him by his neck.
Halston’s body started to glow. Koa gasped and stepped back as heat radiated from Halston’s body. Discs of light as bright as the sun encircled Halston like crisscrossing planetary rings. Koa shielded her eyes and took another step away from him. The heat of his shield warmed her face. It was almost too much to behold.
Finally, the man saw Halston. The look of shock on the man’s face was appalling. His eyes widened until they appeared to be too big for his face. He started to tremble and dropped his violin. He dribbled drool and started stuttering incoherent apologies.
“It can’t be,” he sputtered. “What are you doing here?”
Halston brought the man closer to his face. The man squealed as Halston’s glow started to make his skin sizzle. “Tunes, open the Gate, or I break your neck.”
Koa felt chills run up her spine at Halston’s change of voice. He sounded dangerous. His voice lowered to a deep, grating tone that made her shudder. She was almost too afraid to stand by when Halston was in this state. Right now, he wasn’t a friend, or a boss. Right now, he was much more. He was what he hid from the world. Halston was his true self.
“Master,” Tunes said in disbelief. He nodded and Halston set him back on his feet. He bowed low and backed away from the oppressive heat.
Koa stared at Halston, her jaw hanging. Now she knew what it meant… to be an angel.
Tunes ran a hand across his burned and blackened face. When he rubbed it once, the skin smoothed and appeared much younger than it had before. He ran over to the Gate.
“Master, I wasn’t expecting you back so soon. My apologies.” He kept bowing as he made his way over to the Gate. His back was curved like that of a hunchback. He used his violin’s bow as a key.
A loud lock clanked and the Gates pushed outward to open the path into the Netherworld. A swift wind blew by them and Koa shivered at the howling she heard it carry. Tunes bowed his head to Halston and peered at Koa. He blinked and his eyes changed. He looked at her with only sockets for eyes.
“Koa,” Halston warned. “Stop looking at him. He’s toying with you.”
Koa grimaced as she noticed that he didn’t have any eyeballs, just hollow holes that looked wet with a thick inky substance. He blinked again and his eyes returned, more bulbous this time. She winced.
“They’ve been waiting for you,” Tunes whispered. He grinned at her. He had too many teeth to fit in his rancid mouth. His foul breath wafted to her nostrils. He smelled as though he had just feasted on raw fish and rotten eggs.
Koa looked away in disgust to the Gate at the narrow path. All that she could see was a world of darkness and she could already feel the bitter cold. Her heart thumped as she followed Halston into what appeared to be a cave.
She felt exposed when the cold air cut into her. There was a brief moment of doubt as to whether this was truly a good idea. There was no turning back.
Koa heard a low cackle as the Gate slammed behind them.
Koa
’s eyes widened in terror, as Shadows, black and wispy, appeared on both sides of the narrow corridor. She stiffened with a gasp as they reached out for her.
19
Shrill sounds FILLED Koa’s head. She covered her ears with her hands and turned to face an army of Shadows. The Shadows reached out for Koa with their thin, black hands that were all knuckles and knobs. She coiled back against the Gate and felt the cold steel press into her shoulder blades. The darkness of the cavern was only aided by Halston’s angelic glow.
Koa’s scream was trapped in her throat. She started to tremble as she stared into their faces in horror. This was the very moment from her nightmares.
They had no eyes. They looked to be draped in a black film, as if they’d been suffocated by a black plastic bag. They howled and their mouths opened in wide circles revealing red, lizard-like tongues. Koa gasped and reached for Halston.
He hissed. “Stay back, Koa!”
“Halston,” she whispered, afraid to move. “What is happening?”
Halston motioned for her to stand behind him. “You’re new to them. They want you.” His glow intensified. “Step back, Koa.” She was blinded and felt the heat of his shield on her face. The rings of light shot up and down his body and the Shadows backed away with a piercing shriek.
Halston glared at them. They hissed at him. His glare didn’t falter until the Shadows made a path for them. They all lined up on either side of the path, and bowed.
Koa opened her eyes. She watched, wide-eyed, as the Shadows froze in their deep bows. Even though they were completely still, Koa could tell that they were still staring at her. Their heads were all turned to her. There was silence in the cavern. Koa could hear her own heartbeat.
She was in awe that they were all bowing to Halston. Sometimes, Koa forgot just how powerful he was. In the mortal world, he lived the life of a man. Yes, Halston was her leader, but even then she treated him as little more than her best friend.
She felt a wind. “Something touched me,” Koa squeaked, and clutched Halston’s waist. His light stung her. Koa shrieked and pulled her arms away. Her arms were burnt. The sting of her burns cut to her bones. She groaned and held them, trying to suppress the pain.
Halston shot her a look of concern and nodded for her to take a step back. Koa should have listened. She was stunned. She rubbed her burnt arm until it healed itself.
Her stomach bubbled with worry. She wanted to turn back.
There was so much doubt in her head that she began to forget why she had come. “Halston,” Koa called.
Halston looked at her, forcing a smile. “You wanted this. I tried to warn you. But you never listen, do you?”
Koa swallowed hard. She didn’t know what to say.
“But I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.” He stepped beside her and motioned for her to go ahead. He cleared his throat. “All right, we can make it through the first cavern to the Wilds if I keep my shield up.”
Koa looked uncertain. Her eyes scanned the hundreds of Shadows and darted back to Halston’s face.
Koa frowned. “I am sorry.” She looked down the narrow path toward the faint light at the end of the dark tunnel. “For making you come back here.”
Halston shrugged. “It was bound to happen sometime. We’ve been preparing for years. We knew that one day you’d seek out the truth.”
Koa looked at him. “We?”
Halston sighed. “There’s a lot that you don’t know.” He looked down the path. “Honestly, I wish you never had to find out the truth, but that’s just not an option. You’re the key to many things. There are a few of us, powerful creatures, who have been protecting you, and watching over you in secret. We’ve made plans, and now, it’s time to execute them.”
Koa thumbed the hilt of her sword. It comforted her, knowing that it was only a flick of a wrist away. She wasn’t comforted, however, to feel it pulsing in madness. There was evil all around. Her Lyrinian sword begged to be unsheathed.
Koa nodded. “So, you always knew you’d have to let me come here someday?”
“I did.”
“And you made me beg you all of these years.”
Halston ran a hand through his hair. He pursed his lips and his brows furrowed. “Well, I had to… to make sure that you were ready.”
Koa forced a smile. “You sneaky bastard.”
Halston returned the smile. He seemed relieved by her reaction. “So, are you ready then?”
Koa cracked her neck and rolled her shoulders. She took a deep breath and composed herself. There was a sudden surge of courage that she could only assume came from Halston’s reveal.
Although Shadows waited on either side of her, she felt a little more in control. She gave a nod to Halston and he stepped back. She walked ahead and felt the breeze catch her hair. It blew fiercely and she felt the sting on her cheeks as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. She looked far down the path, toward the only exit. There waited another ring of terror. She said a silent prayer and looked back at Halston.
“I am.” She took another step forward.
Koa felt an unseen force seize her body; with a guttural scream, she was catapulted ahead.
Koa was still screaming when she was dropped onto hard packed dirt. Halston was leaning over her. He let his shield down so that he could touch her.
Koa looked up, breathless, and in hysterics. “What was that?” Koa shouted. Her entire body felt cold. She was shaking.
Halston gave her a sheepish look. He helped her to her feet. “I apologize. I forgot to warn you about the Jem.”
Koa gave him a perplexed look as she rubbed the gooseflesh from her arms. “What the hell is a Jem?”
Halston cleared his throat. He held her across the waist and turned her around.
Koa paled. They were in a mountainous valley where dim lights were scattered about the ground like tiny, circular electric disks planted in the dirt.
She assumed that it was female, only because of the bone structure of its face. But its glowing eyes stared at her from beneath the hood of its dark cloak. It held a rod with a jagged point at the top. It was red and dripped with blood. Koa gulped.
She spoke out of the side of her mouth, whispering, yet keeping her eyes locked on the creature before her. “What is that?”
Halston nodded to the creature. “A Jem. Guardians of the rings here in the Netherworld.”
Koa was too afraid to move, least of all nod. “What does it want?” Her eyes were stuck on the Jem’s eyes. They glowed from the inside outward, as if tiny light bulbs were placed in the sockets instead of eyeballs. Koa couldn’t break her gaze.
Halston let her go and she clung to his arm. She wouldn’t let go of his shirt, even when he tugged at it. “Let go,” he told her gently. “It’s okay.”
Koa was hesitant, but she pulled her arm away and gripped her sword.
Halston turned his shield back on and the Jem took off its hood. The Jem had short yellow hair that matched the glow of her eyes. The wild tresses changed colors as it stood in the path of Halston’s shield.
Koa was surprised to find this creature beautiful, even though it wasn't human, or like any type of creature she'd ever seen.
The Jem closed its eyes in bliss and Koa watched it grow younger and younger. The wrinkles smoothed out in her face and her hair grew longer and longer. When the Jem opened her eyes, she smiled. Her eyes still glowed, but now they glowed blue. Her hair was now blue as well.
Halston nodded to the Jem and she bowed. Koa blinked and the Jem vanished.
“Halston.”
“What?”
“You’re a terrible guide.”
Halston chuckled.
“What just happened? Where are we now?”
“Well, like I said, Jems are guardians of the rings, they make sure unauthorized nephilim don’t make it into the Netherworld, and that nothing leaves without permission. You are half Netherworld vamp, and heir to the Northern Dominance’s throne. Not only that, but my pre
sence with you cancels all doubt. I outrank everyone in the Netherworld because I am a pure angel.”
Koa sat down. She was very tired. She didn’t even know how long or how far that Jem had taken her. “I see.” She looked up. “What happened with its face and hair?”
“I blessed her.”
Koa shook her head. “I’m too tired to even try to make sense of what you just said.” She rubbed her temples and groaned. She could barely see straight.
Halston let his shield dim. “Let’s get off the road, so that no one sneaks up on us.” He noted the look on her face. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep watch while you sleep, but we need to get to higher ground.”
Koa grumbled and came to her feet. She didn’t know why she was so tired, but she could barely keep her eyes open now.
“You still haven’t told me where we are.” She walked along the path, beside Halston.
“The Valley of the Jem. You’ll probably see many of them, but don’t worry. My presence will keep them away.”
Koa sucked her teeth. “Of course it will.”
He chuckled again. “Yes, you must be tired, we’ve been traveling for nearly thirty-four hours now.”
“You’re joking!”
He shook his head, with a smug grin. At least he had his humor back, but Koa’s patience was growing thin. “Jems move fast. I move even faster.”
“I don’t remember a thing.”
Halston shrugged and continued on. “Excellent. Now, let’s go.”
If she had known it was going to be so cold, she would have brought a jacket. She clutched her arms and scampered ahead. She followed Halston along the rocky path that led to a small opening in the mountain. The rocks and stones shimmered beneath the light of his shield. The gray stone went from dull to the brilliance of diamonds.
Sleep overtook her before she could fight it.
20
Koa woke when a brisk wind blew her hair into her eyes. She rolled over and felt Halston’s angelic shield warm her face. It was nice, like a warm fire. She yawned and sat up. She felt sore all over. She grimaced and rubbed her shoulder. She’d been sleeping with a rock underneath her.
