Read The Chronicles of Koa: Netherworld for Free Online Page B

shivered as she looked at it. She loved that weapon. She almost wanted to trade in her Lyrinian sword, just to wield that shotgun one time. She’d only ever seen Halston use it a handful of times, and each time she had been appalled by its power. He refused to let her touch it.
     
    She shifted her gaze to Halston and Galena, a female assassin from their Russian office. She gave Koa a forced smile and returned her attention to Halston. Koa felt the tension in the room. Galena looked as if she had been crying. Her dull blonde hair looked dirtier than normal, and she had suspicious cuts on her arms that she were barely hidden by a bunch of bangles.
     
    Galena had first been seen by Al, their recruiter, and later brought into the Netherworld division by Halston. She was a charge, or ‘pet’ for hire, similar to Ian in that she sold her blood to paying customers, but Galena worked with the most notorious of them all. Now, she went undercover for the organization and sought to expose the most evil of the vampires and kill them.
     
    Koa swallowed and silently took a seat a few feet from them. She glanced at Galena and saw that her eyes were red and swollen.
     
    Koa didn’t like to see that. Koa looked at Halston with questions in her eyes. He gave her a look that begged her not to ask any questions.
     
    “Right. Here’s the plan. Galena, want you to go home, clean up, and rest. Let me know if you need anything. I want you to consider this a vacation.” He looked to Koa and then held up a holograph device that showed her a small, shabby, building. “Koa, you and I will visit the Oracle.”
     
    Galena stretched her long legs and took a long breath. “What if he finds me?”
     
    Halston clenched his jaw. “It’s not you he wants. I will take care of it.”
     
    Galena’s voice cracked. “I don’t know, Halston. He seemed different from the others.”
     
    Koa tensed. Galena was frightened, which made her feel worried.
     
    Halston sat before Galena and his face softened. Galena looked at him with fresh tears in her eyes and Koa felt a tug at her heart. Halston knelt and took her hands inside of his. Halston could be the most serious man she’d ever met, and he could also be surprisingly tender.
     
    He spoke to Galena and Koa leaned forward to hear him. She couldn’t wait to find out what had happened to their most trusted informant.
     
    “Listen, Galena,” Halston said. “I will not let anything happen to you. Wear the earrings I gave you and I will track your location. I have two of my best Shadows following you. They will be like body guards and they will defend you if anyone tries to hurt you again. I don’t care if they’re human, vampire or whatever, the Shadows will provide a defense for you if you need it. And if someone tries to hurt you again.” He handed her a vial.
     
    Koa’s brows lifted. This must be serious. Vials could only be bought in the Netherworld, from the Alchemist.
     
    “You throw this, and you run like Hell.” He gave her a pointed look. “Got it?”
     
    Galena nodded and looked down at the black vial that Halston had placed in her hand. She curled her fingers around it and attached it to the holster underneath her skirt. She wiped her eyes but smiled. “Thank you, Halston.”
     
    Halston nodded and wiped the tear from her cheek. “Don’t mention it.”
     
    Galena gave a confident nod. She obviously felt better about what she now had to do and came to her feet with her head held a little higher than before. Koa watched Halston sweep his hands behind Galena and two Shadows emerged from the floor. They were translucent beings that walked in unison behind the woman.
     
    Koa never liked Shadows. She sat back in her cold metal chair and watched them vanish. They might have vanished from their sight, but they still lingered unseen, and would follow and protect Galena. Koa shivered. She remembered when Halston had attached Shadows to her one time. She could always feel their