Jax stood there completely still, his arms still held as if she were still leaned against them. Like a statue, he remained that way. “You know, it probably was unwise to believe that you would still love me.” He straightened his back and turned to face her. His face was emotionless.
“I guess I always hoped that true love would stand the test of time. But, it seems as if Halston has blocked your memories. It seems he has taken it upon himself to shield you from everything that happened here so long ago.” His shoulders slumped. “He shielded you from me.”
Koa watched him approach again.
He took a step towards her. “Koa, put the sword down sweetheart.”
Koa shuddered, but didn’t move her sword. She watched him come another step closer. “Stop right there, Jax.” She was afraid. He scared her more than she had thought possible. It was his quiet, calculating, way.
Jax moved closer. “You will not use that sword on me again Koa. Are we clear?”
Koa’s eye twitched again. There was something about the way he spoke to her that signaled something within her.
Jax raised a hand and gently moved the blade to the side. “Let me show you, Koa. Let me remind you of what we had.” He took her hand and with a yelp he pulled her into his chest again.
Koa’s lips trembled. He was so close that their faces nearly touched. She felt as if she might scream. Jax…was in complete control. “Get away-.”
“Stay still,” he warned and Koa’s voice was caught in her throat. He traced her lips with his finger and closed his eyes. When he opened his eyes again, they had gone completely black.
Koa’s eyes widened in panic. He grabbed the back of her head and yanked it back. His eyes bore into hers again and before she could scream…something happened. A flash of light, and then darkness overcame her. Her scream rang in her head, but nothing audible came out. Jax had her. For that second, she was his. For that second, she saw everything that he had meant to tell her.
Entering the palace years ago with her father. Greggan, sitting on the throne with his long red hair pulled back into a ponytail at his nape. His intense blue eyes landing on Koa as he examined her.
Koa’s father had left her there. There was some sort of treaty. She still didn’t know why her father agreed to it. But then, Koa saw Jax, standing in a hallway, watching her and her heart thumped in her chest.
She remembered the first night she and Jax snuck away to be with each other. His kiss was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. His kiss made her feel as if she was weightless. Every nerve in her body cried out for more. She could even remember the taste of his tongue and craved to taste it again. Koa’s nether regions grew hot with yearning. She gushed with wetness at the memory.
Then, she remembered the pain. Greggan had found out she and Jax had been sneaking to be with each other. Koa gasped. Greggan had found out that Koa…had given her virginity to Jax. Greggan had wanted her for himself. He was furious. He punished them both. Koa was in tears. For that second…she remembered…it all. When Jax let her go, she returned to the present and her fear evaporated.
Koa opened her eyes. Jax stepped away from her. Tears soaked her cheeks. He looked expectantly at her. She could see it all over his face, that he was hopeful, that she was his again.
“I agreed to help Halston take you away from the palace, so that you wouldn’t have to suffer, the way I did,” Jax said in a soft voice.
Koa opened her mouth to speak but gasped instead, when Evina buzzed by. She hopped off her flying disc and grabbed Koa’s sword. Koa fumed.
“We didn’t bring you here to assault my brother! We brought you here to free him!”
Koa’s fumed. “I’m not going to assault him!”
Evina looked to Jax. She ignored Koa. “Brother, what has she done to you?”
Jax shook his head. He seemed to be working hard to control his temper. “Do you really think she could harm me?”
Evina looked confused. “The sword? She wasn’t about to kill you?”
“I had it under control.”
“You bitch!”
Evina sighed. “Well, I apologize then. But she needs to keep that damned sword in its sheath.”
“The sword is what will get me out of here.”
Koa looked from one to the other. She balled up her fist and glared at Evina.
“Calm down, Koa.” Evina spoke a little softer. “I just wanted to make sure you didn’t hurt Jax before he could remind you of the truth. We all took a great risk to smuggle you out of the Netherworld. My father still doesn’t know that I had a part in it. He still thinks I’m his obedient daughter.” Evina’s eyes searched Koa’s. “I couldn’t sit back and watch him hurt you the way he did. You and I were like sisters…back then.”
Koa looked stunned. So much information.
Jax sighed. “There’s still so much to tell.”
Koa stepped forward. “Tell me then.” Her eyes didn’t leave Evina’s. She was remembering. Koa and Evina had been like sisters. Koa had revealed her secrets to the vampire princess. They had shared so much. Koa could no longer keep a glare on her face as she approached her. She understood it all.
Evina massaged her temples and sighed. “Look, Koa. Jax is the only prophet in the Netherworld, he saw what our father had in store for you when he forced your father to bring you here. We all helped you escape because we believe in an alternate future for both worlds-.”
Evina gasped when Koa wrapped her arms around her, embracing her.
Evina sighed and patted Koa’s back. She rested her head on Koa’s. “I did miss you,” she whispered.
Koa was overwhelmed with emotion. There was something unnatural about remembering so much at one time. Her body was filled with both sorrow and joy. When she pulled away from Evina, Koa was smiling. She felt whole somehow.
Evina wiped a tear and took a deep breath. She threw her hand out, pointing at her brother. “Jax loves you. But we all know that you are the key to changing the Netherworld. You are the key to our ability to coexist with the human world. Father locked Jax up in here so that he couldn’t change the future that he predicted. Now, Koa, you’re the only one that can release us from this prison, because you wield the ancient Lyrinian sword. Its power is the only thing that can cut through that portal’s power.” Evina looked back at Jax. “Oh yes, I almost forgot, the Royal Guard marches on the corridor as we speak.”
“They’re here? So soon?” Jax rushed over to a telescope and peered into the glass lens. He stood. “They’re here.”
“Yes!” Evina clapped her hands together. “Now, can we get moving?”
Jax gave a single nod. He rushed over to a cabinet near the fireplace. He pulled out a couple of tightly wound scrolls and stuffed them in his suit’s inner pocket.
Koa breaths quickened. She could hear them coming. Royal guard? She could only imagine what monstrosities were coming for her. She rushed over and grabbed her sword from the ground. She hid a grin as she remembered the way she and Evina used to play and compete.
She gave Evina a look that was full of mischief. “I’ll slice your hands off if you do that again.”
Evina grinned, catching on to their old game. “You’re not quick enough little girl.”
Koa sliced a chunk of her hair off before Evina could blink. Evina looked appalled. Koa grinned triumphantly as Jax grabbed her and pulled her towards the portal. Her grin faded as she watched Evina’s hair immediately grow back.
Evina winked. “Bet you wish you could do that, don’t you? You forgot just how spectacular I am.” She laughed.
“Enough Evina!” Jax’s voice boomed, making them both freeze. He quickly composed himself. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 30
Jax ran for the portal. He waited for Koa to catch up.
“You must lead the way.”
Koa nodded and took a deep breath. She thought of how that black mass had almost suffocated her. Evina tapped her feet. The princess was getting anxious. They could hear h
orns being blown.
“Get on with it! We have to get out of here quickly!”
Koa took another deep breath and plunged in. Koa nearly panicked when she was lost in the black, oppressive, darkness again. Jax took her hand and she felt a slight comfort. She glanced down at her sword. She hadn’t noticed it before, but it started to glow. The light it emitted was dim but it lit the way.
“Keep going, Koa.” Jax had his hands on her waist. She felt safe. “Don’t stop.”
Koa nodded and pressed on. The black mass tried to grip Jax, to stop him, but somehow Koa’s presence was more interesting to it. It soon forgot about him and focused all of its attention on her.
Evina was completely fine. If she was uncomfortable, she hid it well.
Koa wondered why their father trusted Evina over Jax. She felt her lungs start to itch. They began to burn.
Koa’s lungs ached and when she saw the light at the end of the portal she felt as if she’d never been happier in her life. She had lost track of time. How long was the portal? How long did it violate her with its smothering hands?
Jax gave her the final push that she needed to emerge from the darkness. She fell to the ground and the black mass evaporated from her skin as she coughed and cleared her throat and lungs of its presence.
There wasn’t time to recuperate.
Footsteps thundered down the corridor. Koa looked over her shoulder. Dozens of Syths charged towards them. The Royal Guard.
“Are you all right?” Jax whispered into her ear as he helped her to her feet.
Koa nodded silently. Her eyes looked in fear at the Syths. She’d never seen that many in one place before. Her hand shook as she gripped her sword.
“Stop them!” One of the bigger ones ordered. They wore armor, thin, black and metallic.
Jax straightened his suit jacket. He checked his watch. “Excellent timing. Thank you for this, Koa. You won’t regret it.” He casually sauntered into the center of the hallway.
“What are you doing? Are you crazy? There are too many!” Koa held her sword in one hand. She snatched a dagger from her boot and held it ready as well, in case there was some close combat.
Jax grinned. “Really, you’d have to be pretty quick to take all of those things down…” He shrugged. “I suppose I can show you a thing or two.” Jax reached into his pocket. He pulled out a fan much like Evina’s. It flicked open and turned into a hovering disc. He stepped onto it and outstretched his arms. Two blades slid out of his sleeves. They were blood red, with crystal hilts.
There was a blast of wind, knocking Koa backwards. She gasped. Jax moved too quickly for her eyes.
Screams.
Gulps.
Crunches of bone.
Koa blinked and all of the Syths were dead. Blood still sprayed in the air and Jax darted past her. He caught her by the arm and yanked her up into the air. Koa’s voice was caught in her throat. She was dumbfounded. No one was that quick. Koa was beholding the skills of Netherworld vamps. She thought the special skills she’d witnessed from New World vampires was something amazing, she had no idea what pure blood vampires could do.
Koa looked over her shoulder at the carnage. She was in a trance. She was shaking when she looked up at Jax’s face. Not a trace of blood tainted his white skin.
“What… was… that?” Koa looked down at his daggers. They were dripping with blood.
Jax gave her a sidelong glance. “What?” He looked at his daggers. “Oh nothing really.” An eerie grin crept onto his lips. “I’ve been locked away for a long time. I think it’s only fair that I get to stretch a bit.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
Koa smiled.
“Fly!” He shouted and let her go.
Koa’s ducked and flew away as Jax grabbed two Syths by the necks and crushed their windpipes. Jax dropped them to the maroon carpeted floors without a second look.
Koa nearly stopped flying. She should have been frightened by his power, but now that she remembered the love they’d shared and the passionate night when she lost her virginity to him, she couldn’t help but feel a little turned on by his display of power.
Koa’s eyebrows furrowed when the same two trails of children came out into the corridor. She paused in the air. “Jax,” she called.
He sped up.
Koa panicked. “Jax! The children. We should free them!”
Jax frowned. “You better use that sword of yours, Koa! Those are not children!” He jumped from the disc and barely missed a step. He ran into their ranks and Koa screamed.
“Stop-.” Her voice sucked into her throat as the corridor turned into chaos. The scene before her went mad.
The children. Koa frowned in confusion. Their faces weren’t the faces of children any longer. Their eyes turned black and their mouths turned into snarling openings filled with sharp fangs. Those little monsters…weren’t children. They were something she couldn’t identify.
They nearly swarmed Jax. There were so many. Koa stood there in horror. She couldn’t kill children, even if they were vampires. But these monsters were definitely trying to kill Jax. They threw silver darts at him, yelling and growling like animals. Jax dodged the darts and killed two with one swirling arm.
The blood, it made Koa feel queasy. She cursed at herself, letting her morals get in the way. She should have known that it would be ridiculous to have children here.
An abnormally large Syth came crashing down the corridor. Koa’s mouth opened in awe. That wasn’t a Syth. It was a giant. The floor trembled with each stomping step the giant took. He picked up Jax by his hair with a massive hand covered in rings on each finger. Jax clenched his jaw and he stabbed the giant in its gray-haired chest, slicing him as he slid back down to his feet. Intestines spilled onto the carpet and the giant crashed to the floor with a deafening thump.
Koa flew as fast as she could when the childlike creatures started jumping onto Jax. They tried to bite him and stab him with their tiny daggers.
“Don’t let the prisoner escape!” A woman called from the other end of the corridor. She was tall, with a shaved head revealing tattoos. She wore red armor and pointed at Jax with the point of a long red gun.
The exit was so close. Koa was just thinking of how frightening that woman looked, when Evina came up behind the woman and lopped her head off. Her curved sword sliced through with expert ease, spraying red blood into the air. The body crashed after the head and Evina smashed the face of that severed head into the ground.
Evina stood and tossed her hair out of her face. “Jax! Hurry it up!” She yelled at them before running back the other way. Koa tightened her hand around the hilt of her sword and clenched her jaw. She didn’t know what those children really were, but she no longer felt any sympathy for them. One bit her leg and she cried out. The bite stung like hell.
Koa kicked that abomination into the wall. She took a deep breath and ran into the chaos. Evina and Jax were skilled. She wasn’t surprised. Koa had to keep up. She wanted to show off, just a little, to not appear weak in comparison. She couldn’t help feeling inadequate in the midst of the royal Netherworld vampires.
The sounds of squeals and yells were overwhelming. More and more of those little creatures poured into the corridor from every direction.
Koa dove into the masses. Her sword screamed with yearning. Koa swirled in the air and caught the throats of four of those creatures. She sent their decapitated heads flying in different directions. Koa took a breath and embraced the pain of the Lyrinian sword. Too much evil. It begged her to quench its thirst. Koa would not let it down. She closed her eyes and the sword took over. Koa’s mouth was open as she focused on the feeling of the sword. Its power soared through her veins. She slashed through bodies and listened to the satisfying sizzle. No one could touch her when she was lost in the trance.
Koa was broken from her trance when she heard a loud bell. She stood and opened her eyes. She’d killed at least seven more of those creatures. She took a look around. One of them
stabbed her in her thigh.
“Little bastard,” Koa cried out and covered the wound with one hand and ran her sword through her assailants face with the other. Four toppled onto her with sharp daggers and Koa could barely catch her breath. A loud bell went off again. It was an alarm.
Koa looked up. Down the corridor ran…Scayors. Koa paled. Robotic yells filled her ears. Five of the giant, metallic, monsters stopped at the beginning of the corridor. A long, metal, finger pointed at Koa. She started to panic.
Evina stepped forward. The Scayors all turned in unison and looked at her. Koa narrowed her eyes, curious to see what the vampire princess would do. Evina tossed her sword in the air. Her tattoos moved just as they had before. She closed her eyes and waved her arms around slowly. The sword hovered in the air. With the movement of her arms, it started to turn in a circle. Purple haze surrounded Evina as her tattoos danced. Her eyes were closed and she seemed to be in deep focus. The Scayors fell to their knees and bowed with their heads low.