Blood Princess: The Chronicles of Koa, #3

By K.N. Lee

Vampires, fallen angels, and devious demons determined to ruin the peace between the supernatural world and the humans.

 

The world is torn between good and evil, and one half-blood learns she is the key to saving the world.

New York Times bestselling author, K.N. Lee presents the third paranormal adventure in the Chronicles of Koa series fans compare to The Vampire Diaries meets True Blood and Dannika Dark's The Seven Series. 

The lines have been drawn, and a war between Netherworld vampires and the vampires of this world brews as Lera attempts to overtake the Lyrinian throne from Jax. First, Koa and the crew of supernatural soldiers must survive the wrath of angels, demons, and an entity who stalks the souls of all men.

Death himself.

Join Koa, Halston, and old and new allies on a quest that could destroy them all.

Scroll up and grab this thrilling urban fantasy adventure with enchanted swords, a dash of romance, and intriguing magic today!

Reading Order:

Netherworld

Dark Prophet

Blood Princess

Crimson Kinf (Coming Fall 2018)

• Language: English
• Publisher: K.N. Lee
• Release date: Sep 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386200529

K.N. Lee

K.N. Lee is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is the author of the Dragon-Born Saga, Eura Chronicles, Wonderland University, and the Chronicles of Koa series. When she is not writing twisted urban fantasy, epic tales of dragons, pirates, and mermaids, and dark poetry, she does a great deal of traveling and spending time with her family and Princess Polly, the pet pig. Wannabe rockstar, foreign language enthusiast, and anime geek, K.N. Lee also enjoys gaming and sketching. She is a winner of the Elevate Lifestyle Top 30 Under 30 "Future Leaders of Charlotte" award for her success as a writer, business owner, and for community service. She is signed with Dragon Roots Emporium and represented by Hershman Rights Management.

Book preview

Prologue

Nicolai Frost descended into the underground establishment, clutching an enchanted dagger in his gloved hands. Though his weapon of choice was a sniper rifle, he was prepared to silence any supernatural creature who might leap out from the shadows. This was uncharted territory—the paranormal underbelly of London. A place not even the sleaziest of vampires would dare venture.

Darkness shrouded him, though he peered ahead at the long series of tunnels and corridors that lead to an assortment of doors with translucent films stretched from ceiling to floor. Portals. The last that would stand after he and Viktor were done with their latest project.

Silence enveloped him, but the scent of water wafted into his nostrils. Water and sulfur. It was potent, and made him cringe. It had been many years since his last visit, but the scent made it feel as though it had only been yesterday.

He blinked, and his eyes began to glow. They lit his way, casting a dim light on the stone floor and slick walls. No one joined him on this very secret, very dangerous mission. Not even Viktor knew the truth about his pact, and he didn’t really care. The leader of the Netherworld Division was only concerned with results.

Find the half-blood.

That was Nicolai’s mission.

The secrets he harbored were buried so deep within his soul that even the angels with their telepathic skills couldn’t find them.

Nicolai was a peculiar breed of human. One of only two of his kind.

He’d lived for nearly a century, but looked half that old. It wasn’t for lack of trying, for he had nearly died several times. Working for the Netherworld Division wasn’t exactly a safe job, like a bank teller or a shop keeper. He was born for danger, and his ability to cheat death was a gift.

However—this time—he had no intentions of escaping Death.

Nicolai was here to seek him out.

Chapter One

Love, and all of its madness, had saved Koa’s young life. Spending her teenage years as little more than a hostage, was worse than death, and she was done with that life. At sixteen, she yearned for more and knew she deserved better than being the third wife of a tyrant.

Her face still stung from the blade of one of Queen Lera’s daggers. The look of hate in that vampire’s eyes had burned itself into Koa’s memory and soul. She would never forget it, and their attempt to escape would have been over before it had even begun if Jax hadn’t pinned Lera’s body to the wall with a silver bolt.

He’d bought them minutes. That wouldn’t be enough.

Koa’s breaths came out quick and labored as she ran. Their secret was out, and neither she nor the prince were safe.

Her heart pounded as they ran through the underbelly of the palace, following the angel who was more of a villain than a savior.

Halston.

He’d told her father to bring her to the Netherworld and made her marry the king. It was all to protect the realm. To keep the peace between Lyrinia and Elyan. It was all lies. Her life hadn’t brought anyone peace, and she had spent years pushing the memories of her father’s part in that deal away.

Her satin shoes were soiled as they splashed through the dark and murky water of the tunnels.

This way, Halston said, turning a corner in what was a maze that made no sense to she or Jax.

His angelic glow was all of the light they had to see by. So, they ran as quickly as they could to keep up with him. She was a creature of the night, yet the dark still frightened her. Darkness clung to every crevice of those underground tunnels, and they were being chased by a monster—one that had looked for every excuse to punish her just for being the daughter of his enemy.

She might die on this night, and she was certain the king would not let her die quickly.

She chewed her bottom lip and sucked back tears as they trudged through the water that now reached their ankles. It was cold, and thicker than water. She nearly screamed out when she glanced down and saw by the light of Halston’s angelic shield that it was blood.

Netherworld vampires didn’t drink human blood.

At least, that’s what she’d always been told.

Her ears caught the faint sound of a far off cry and a scream.

King Greggan was drinking more than Carmia, and whatever creatures he was feeding off of had leaked all into the lower tunnels.

Koa, Jax called, grabbing her hand. Keep up.

She wiped her face and cringed at the sharp pain from the cut on her cheek. Tears were useless. She needed to suck it up and be strong. King Greggan had issued a warrant for their arrest, and Koa and Jax were prepared to die for their forbidden love. It would take a miracle to escape Lyrinia.

Halston—though she hated him—was that miracle.

Hand-in-hand, the young couple ran from the palace and out into the rear courtyard as midnight struck. To her surprise, there was a woman waiting for them in the dark. Her long, blonde hair blew in the faint whispers of the red wind that haunted the streets of the Netherworld each night.

Jax’s mother, first queen, Abigail.

She was cloaked, but her beautiful face was illuminated by Halston’s glow. That glow muted once they were outside of the palace. She looked to Koa.

Did anyone see any of you enter the tunnels? Abigail asked as she handed something shiny to Halston.

He put it in his pocket and pulled out a Netherworld pen. While he wrote on the air, Jax took his mother’s cloak and wrapped it around her.

She was grateful to be free from the chill in the air, and gave him a small smile, despite the fear that filled her veins.

No, Mother, Jax said. But, Lera isn’t going to be happy with me when she gets loose from that bolt.

Lera can burn in hell for all I care, Abigail said with a grimace. Serves her right. She can stand a little pain for once. After all the suffering she’s inflicted. She paused and pursed her lips as she stroked Jax’s cheek. She gave Koa one last look. Go, then, she said. Be free from this place.

Koa nodded and breathed in as Jax took her hand and pressed the palm to his cheek. He was cold, but his love warmed her. Then, he closed his eyes with a sigh.

Jax looked much like his mother, despite his blood-red colored hair. It was a shame that he and his sister, Evina, had anything from King Greggan. When he opened his eyes, the striking blue met hers with a sadness that alarmed her.

She licked her lips and glanced at Halston. They shouldn’t linger near the palace. Not for a moment longer.

Where will you take us? Koa asked Halston. Their plan was simple. Escape. But, where would they go if the king had spies in every corner of Lyrinia.

Halston took her by the hand. Home, he said, and before she could reply, he took her into the sky and flew from the palace.

It took her a moment to realize what was happening—that Jax was being left behind.

She hated Halston for that. That hate went so deep that she never knew she had the capacity to love him. Until she did.

Chapter Two

Ademon’s kiss would kill most. But, for Koa, it merely slowed her down. She fought the dark images in her mind and the memories that threatened to cripple her.

She’d left Jax once before when she was just a girl. Now, she did so again as an adult. This time, she was chasing after Halston instead of being spirited away by him.

The screams of dying vampires and humans chased Koa as she flew through the dark night sky to the tallest mountain in the Cumbria countryside. 

What happened at Lady Colleen’s grand ball would reshape civilization.

Lines had been drawn.

War was inevitable.

Images of blood being splattered all over the polished marble floors and stone walls of the castle flashed in Koa’s mind.

The truce between vampires and humans was broken. Why the angels had given up on them was beyond Koa, but all of that could wait. Right now, all that mattered was finding Halston.

She landed on the rocky terrain and ran to the cliff. Her tattered ball gown was covered in blood. Not all of it was hers.

Halston. She spoke with her heart, knowing that Halston would hear. He had to. She sucked in a sharp breath, her chest heaving as the wind whipped her long blue hair around her face.

The fact that Halston had sacrificed his only chance for redemption brought her to her knees. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

It was her fault.

All of it. She should have been left in Lyrinia where King Greggan would have killed her. It would have saved everyone in Koa’s life a world of trouble.

Now, the Netherworld Division would hunt them both. When she removed her hands from her face, she wiped her eyes. Crying would not solve anything. It never did. So, she took several deep breaths and called into the wind.

Halston. I’m sorry.

The effects of the demon’s assault on her body left her weak. She fell back onto the ground, nearly paralyzed as the claw marks on her back stung all the way to the bone. Bund had intended on enslaving her. It had been his primary goal, and now he was gone.

Finally.

That didn’t mean that his torment would end.

She coughed up blood and stared at the black sky. The stars twinkled through a veil of warm tears as Koa sucked in a sharp breath, and all was calm.

Dying would be too easy.

The Vangelis Estate sprawled over acres upon acres of lush French land. Standing in the doorway, an eerie sensation overcame Koa.

Is this death? Have I crossed over? She knew heaven and hell were real, and had often considered which would claim her if she were