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

she fed him her blood. She buried her face in her hands. Her shoulders shook with her wracking sobs.
     
    Koa was devastated. Ian had been more than a pet. Ian had been a friend. Koa felt her heart breaking. She’d never had many friends in her life. She began to hate herself for what she had just done.
     
    The bed creaked. Koa moved her hands from her face. She was almost too afraid to look… too afraid to hope.
     
    Through tears, Koa looked at Ian’s face. It was blurry, but she could see, with delight, that he was looking back at her.
     
    Koa gasped and tackled him with glee. She littered his face with dozens of kisses. She laughed maniacally.
     
    “Ian! You’re all right.”
     
    He nodded and smiled. He hugged her tight and Koa could feel that he was stronger. His arms no longer felt weak. His grip on her felt as hard as stone. She felt safe. She felt relieved and joyous.
     
    “Yes, mistress. Thank you.”
     
    Koa pulled back. She held his face in both of her hands and gave him a serious look. “No more mistress. Understood?”
     
    His smile widened. “Yes mis--.” He paused and laughed. Koa couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, Koa.” He ran a hand over her side again. He looked up in surprise. “You’re all healed!”
     
    Koa smiled warmly. She gently kissed his forehead. “Thanks to you.” After all of the inner turmoil she experienced only seconds ago, she felt at peace.
     
    A knock came at the door. Koa glanced at it. She knew who was there. She knew her scent. Cinnamon and sugar.
     
    “Come on in Lexi.”
     
    Lexi opened the door and peeked inside. She smacked on her cinnamon flavored gum and looked at the two of them. She sighed and shook her head. The door closed behind her.
     
    “You two are getting a bit loud, don’t you think?” Lexi looked at Koa who sat on Ian’s lap in nothing but what she left Halston’s loft in. Her panties and bra.
     
    Koa came to her feet. She walked over to the nightstand where she kept a few of her belongings in case she actually wanted to stay longer than a night. Koa pulled out her credit card. She nodded to Ian. “Welcome Ian Pratt to the club. He’s my sire.”
     
    Lexi looked at Koa in disbelief. “You sired someone?” She stared at Ian and smirked. “Not a bad choice.”
     
    Ian was on his feet and looking at himself in the mirror. Koa and Lexi watched as he checked himself out. He smiled as he fixed his hair which seemed to have a bit more luster. His eyes were a little brighter. Ian examined his neck, which was smooth and clear of fang marks. He looked over at them.
     
    “Sweet!” He turned and looked at his profile and held his shirt up. “Call me crazy but is it just me, or did my abs become more defined?”
     
    Koa shook her head with a smile glued to her face. It had worked. Lexi took her card.
     
    “You know what this means, right. You sire him, you have to take care of him.”
     
    Koa looked at her and shrugged. “I have been taking care of him for the past three years.”
     
    Mischief danced in Lexi’s eyes. “Oh no, Koa. That’s not what I mean. He has to live with you now. He’s like a baby, and you have to watch over him until he is prepared to go off into the world on his own.” She mocked a curtsy and winked before leaving. “Have fun,” she sang as she left the room.
     
    Koa stood there after Lexi left and felt something new. She thought of what Lexi had said and it didn’t bother her. She had purpose. This was just what she needed to take her mind off Halston.
     
    She felt proud. After twenty-one years as a vampire, she had created something. She watched Ian, who turned to her with a sweet, childlike smile.
     
    Then, she thought of her mother, Raven. She was still cross with her, but after all, Raven was still her mother. She had cared for her all alone for years, and it hadn’t been easy. Koa felt a little guilty for being so vengeful all of the time. She had left Halston’s loft with hopes of hurting