Girl of Glass, #1

by Megan O'Russell

  “Get the Domer some refreshments?” Raina said, her tone barely polite. “Of course. The woman will go to the kitchen and get some snacks for the guest.” She spun and walked out of the room.

  Julian shut the door, leaving Bryant and Desmond standing on either side like guards, neither putting away his weapon.

  “I must admit, Nola,” Emanuel said, “we did have a courier that was caught up in the unfortunate incident last night. And he had an item with him. Something we need very badly. Where do we begin?” Emanuel took a seat across the shining metal table.

  “With Fletcher,” Dr. Wynne said. “If you want her to understand, you have to start with Fletcher.”

  Emanuel sat for a long moment. “Before you were born, before even Dr. Wynne was born, the Incorporation started building the domes. Forty-two sites around the world. To be filled with the best and the brightest. Not only to encourage research, but also to protect the gene pool. People were sick, dying. Cancer had become a plague. Clean water was scarce, and food supplies were in danger. But that wasn’t what the people who created the domes feared.

  “Fertility rates were dropping, and birth defects were becoming more common. The Incorporation had to protect the future of the human race by making sure it could breed. That’s what the signs read, what was spouted at every conference. To protect our children.” Emanuel spat the last sentence. “But soon, the people realized it wasn’t all the children the Incorporation were trying to protect, just the chosen few who lived in the domes. The rest of the population was left out here to watch their children suffer and die. The sicknesses became worse. But all of the researchers were in the domes. The brilliant minds were gone, and we were left with Fletcher.”

  “I’ve never heard of a researcher named Fletcher,” Nola said.

  “You wouldn’t have,” Kieran said. “They don’t talk about him in the domes.”

  “People were in pain, and Fletcher came up with a new medicine. A drug that could stop tumors from growing. Make lungs impervious to the filth in the air. The medicine made people strong and slowed the natural aging process.”

  “That’s amazing,” Nola said.

  “But the cure came at a price. Sensitivity to light. The inability to metabolize normal food, the reliance on blood for nutrition. Anger, violence, bloodlust. It changed you to the very core. But it was a way to survive. At first, the drug was only given to a few people. The ones who were very ill, on the brink of death. But soon, others outside Fletcher’s control began to manufacture the drug, and it spread like wildfire.”

  “Vamp,” Nola said, studying Emanuel’s black eyes. “Vamp was made to be a medicine?”

  “Not all vampires set out with the intent to wander the night. We were trying to survive. Vampires are what we had to become. There was no other choice,” Emanuel said.

  “But the wolves,” Nola began.

  “Someone tried to improve Vamp. To alter the way Vamp affects the ability to eat food.”

  “So, it is true.” Nola swallowed the burning in her throat. “Vampires drink blood.”

  “Animal blood,” Kieran said, reaching for Nola and pulling his hand away when she flinched.

  “Nightland does not allow vampires who hunt for human blood,” Emanuel said.

  “But there are some who do?” Nola asked.

  “You met one tonight,” Julian said. “The man who showed you here, he was from a group who drink from humans. Almost all those who live aboveground do.”

  “Wolves are able to eat but suffer pheromone changes that alter the way they interact with each other,” Emanuel said.

  “Packs,” Nola said. “It makes them run in packs.”

  “Yes,” Kieran said, “which makes them more dangerous than any of the vampires.”

  “Ours is the only real community of vampires,” Emanuel said. “Most prefer to roam and hunt on their own. There are turf lords, and territorial groups, but they would kill each other without hesitation for fresh blood. We have banded together in Nightland because we want something more. More than injecting Vamp and living to breathe another night. We want a chance for the children on the outside.”

  “And that is where I come in.” Dr. Wynne spun his chair around and faced the group as though he had been waiting for his cue. “Vamp has a tendency to alter the user’s moods. With the increase in strength comes increased aggression. With the need to drink blood comes a taste for violence.”

  “And the eyes, and the teeth,” Nola said, her gaze darting to Emanuel’s eyes.

  “The eyes, yes,” Emanuel said.

  “The teeth are prosthetic,” Desmond said from behind Nola. “If I’m going to be called a vampire, I might as well embrace it. Besides, it makes hunting easier.”

  “Desmond,” Dr. Wynne said, flapping his hands as though fangs were trivial, “lived as a roamer for a long time and has no personal aversion to human blood.” He paused, scratching his head for a moment. “But if there were a way to create a new formula of Vamp, one that would make people strong and healthy without subjecting them to the unfortunate side effects, we would have essentially found a cure. A way for people to live healthily on the outside without constant fear of contamination and death.”

  “That’s what he’s working on. ReVamp,” Kieran said. “It would keep people healthy and keep the streets safe.”

  Nola ran through it in her mind. The woman who had begged her for help. The little boys at the Charity Center. All healthy.

  “You could save everyone,” she breathed.

  “Not everyone,” Emanuel said softly before looking to Desmond. “Fetch Eden.”

  “What’s Eden?” Nola asked.

  “Eden isn’t a what,” Emanuel said. “Eden is a who.”

  Emanuel nodded, and Desmond opened the door, disappearing into the hall.

  “Before you meet her, I want to thank you,” Emanuel said. “Without you, we would have lost her already.”

  Desmond returned, holding the small girl from the kitchen in his arms. As soon as the little girl’s big brown eyes found Emanuel, she reached out, wanting him to hold her. Emanuel stood and took the child, kissing her gently on the cheek before kneeling next to Nola.

  “This is Eden,” Emanuel said. Eden hid her face on his chest. “She is my child.”

  “She’s beautiful,” Nola said.

  “Eden,” Emanuel said. The little girl turned her eyes back to her father. “Can you say thank you? This is the nice girl who gave you your medicine.”

  “Thank you,” Eden said so softly her words could barely be heard.

  “Good girl.” Emanuel kissed her black curls that matched his own.

  He handed Eden to Desmond, who slipped back out of the room.

  “That’s why I stole your I-Vent,” Kieran whispered. “She needs the medicine.”

  “Eden has tumors in her lungs,” Emanuel said. “They were getting bad enough she couldn’t breathe. Your I-Vent bought her more time.”

  More time for a little girl with big brown eyes. Someone so small shouldn’t be so sick.

  “I’m so sorry. An I-Vent can’t cure tumors,” Nola said. “But when Dr. Wynne finishes ReVamp, he can cure her.”

  “Vamp, Lycan, ReVamp”—Emanuel gripped the table. The shining metal bent under his grasp—“they all have consequences.”

  “You just said—”

  “If you’re too sick or too young,” Julian said, “all of the drugs can kill you. Or worse.”

  “What’s worse?” Nola’s heart raced as though she already knew the answer.

  “Zombies.” Julian glanced at Emanuel. “If the body rejects the drug, the body will start to decay. Beginning with the mind. All that’s left is a craving for human flesh. Zombies would eat their own family without a thought. They know no pain. No fear. Only hunger. You’ve probably never seen such a thing.”

  “I have,” Nola said, swallowing the bile that once again rose in her throat. “The zombies come to the domes sometimes. The guards drug them and tak
e them away for treatment.”

  “There is no treatment,” Emanuel said, his voice breaking. “There is no medicine that can cure a zombie. There is no medicine in the outside world that can save Eden.”

  “But there is in the domes.” Dr. Wynne placed a hand on Nola’s shoulder.

  “I had a contact from far outside the city,” Emanuel said. “He had managed to procure the medicine Eden needs.”

  “But he didn’t make it all the way to Nightland,” Kieran said.

  “And somehow,” Emanuel said, his black eyes studying Nola’s face, “you did. And you have brought hope with you.”

  “We would only need a vial," Kieran said, "and that little girl could live until she’s old enough—”

  “To become a vampire,” Nola said.

  “To live to see twenty,” Emanuel said. He reached across the table and took Nola's hand. His fingers were colder than the metal surface. “It’s such a small thing in the world of the domes, but it’s my daughter’s life out here.”

  “You want me to steal medicine from the domes?” Nola pulled her hand out of Emanuel’s reach.

  “I am asking you as a father to save my daughter’s life. I’m not asking as an outsider, or as a vampire. I am asking as a human, a man who is terrified. I am no different from you.”

  “You are.” Nola stood up. “And not because I’m from the domes and you’re an outsider. You are a vampire. You’re asking me to help vampires.”

  “We are all humans.” Julian spread his arms as though reaching out to every person in the city. “We’ve done what we had to in order to survive. But we are still humans. Can’t you try to see us that way?”

  “If you want to be seen as human, why would you name yourselves after monsters?” Nola asked. “Why would you choose to be called something so evil?”

  “We’ve been forced to live in the dark for years. Is it so strange we would name ourselves after children of the night?” Raina asked as she pushed open the door, carrying a tray of tea. “We are living the nightmare. But we didn’t choose it. We were abandoned out here. We’re just the ones that have become strong enough to survive.”

  “Nola,” Dr. Wynne said, “that little girl will be dead within the month. We need one vial. One tiny tube to save her. And you’re the only one who can get it.”

  “But you know how to get into the domes.” Nola shook her head. “You’re the one who showed me how to get out.”

  “The medicine is in medical storage. You have to get to the lower levels to get near the room,” Dr. Wynne said.

  “And your mom works right down the hall from medical storage,” Kieran said, his voice low and steady as he took Nola’s hand in his. “All you have to do is visit her and then take a detour. No one will ever know.”

  “And if I get caught?” Nola said. “If they banish me for stealing from the domes?”

  Forced to live in Nightland, stuck in a living tomb for the rest of my life.

  “Tell them I broke in,” Dr. Wynne said. “Tell them I came to your room and threatened to kill you if you didn’t do it. They already believe me insane. I’m sure they can believe I could become violent.”

  “They would send the Outer Guard after you.” Nola’s mouth went dry in her panic.

  “A worthy risk to save a child’s life.” Dr. Wynne shrugged and went back to his work.

  “You won’t get caught.” Kieran took both of Nola’s hands. “I know how you can do it. All you have to do is trust me. Please, Nola. For me.”

  Nola found herself nodding before she knew she had made a choice.

  Chapter Ten

  Nola clutched her hot tea, afraid her trembling hands would give away her fear if she lifted the cup to her mouth.

  Dr. Wynne spoke first, explaining to Nola exactly what medicine he needed. Then Julian appeared, bringing with him maps of the domes.

  “How did you get this?” Nola reached for the map. Bright Dome was there with her house drawn in the far corner.

  “All the domes were built the same,” Julian said, “and the Wynnes aren’t the only ones who have left.”

  Nola’s shoulders tensed at the word left. Left didn’t seem to describe it.

  “Under the circumstances, I would think you would be grateful for the breach in dome security as it will make your job that much easier. Medical storage is here.” Julian pointed to a small square space. “It’s environmentally controlled.”

  “Cold storage,” Dr. Wynne said. “It’ll be in the back cage.”

  “Isn’t medical storage locked?” Nola asked.

  “It is,” Dr. Wynne said, “but seed storage isn’t. And they share a vent system.”

  “All you have to do is go see your mom,” Kieran said. “You’re still planning on going the botany route?”

  “It’s not like I have a choice,” Nola said.

  “Head into seed storage,” Kieran said. “No one will question why you’re there. Go through the vent.”

  “Go through?” Nola pushed away from the table, her heart racing at the mere thought of entering such a small, dark place. “You want me to climb into a vent!”

  “Only for a minute,” Kieran said. “And then once you have the vial, you walk out the door and back to your room. I’ll come into the domes tomorrow night and get the medicine from you.” He took Nola’s face in his hands. “You can do this, Nola.”

  “You shouldn’t risk coming back into the domes,” Nola said. “If they catch you…”

  “They won’t,” Kieran said.

  “When your mother returns from Green Leaf tomorrow,” Emanuel said, “will she be going back to her lab?”

  “She will.” Nola nodded. “She’ll go straight to the lab to check on her samples before she comes home. She’ll make a guard bring her bag to our house. It’s what she always does.”

  Kieran nodded to Emanuel.

  “Then go see your mother as soon as you can,” Emanuel said. “Eden is depending on you.”

  The room fell silent for a moment. Nola wanted to say something brave, or hopeful, but her mind buzzed with fatigue.

  “Your walking into Nightland was providence, Nola,” Emanuel said. “Even in the darkest of places, hope can appear.”

  “We should get you home,” Kieran said, standing up and laying his hand on Nola’s shoulder.

  “I won’t make it back before dawn,” Nola said. “How long have I been down here?”

  I should have brought a watch.

  Kieran looked at Emanuel who nodded to Desmond and Bryant. Both men stepped aside, and Raina opened the door.

  “There’s a shortcut to the domes,” Kieran said. “I’ll take you.”

  “Raina, Julian,” Emanuel said, “make sure Nola gets home safe.”

  Kieran’s hand tensed on Nola’s shoulder.

  “This way.” Raina led them back past the kitchen, but Eden was nowhere to be seen. They went through the gallery and back into the halls, going in the opposite direction of where the people had been dancing.

  “How long have you been here?” Nola asked Kieran softly, though she had no real hope Julian and Raina wouldn’t hear.

  “Since the night after we were banished from the domes.” Kieran rubbed the back of his neck. “My father had a few friends in the city, the ones he’d been helping.”

  “The starving children he had been feeding with the overabundance of the domes,” Raina said.

  “We went to them,” Kieran said, “but I suppose word travels fast out here. In the middle of the night, Emanuel showed up where we were hiding.”

  “It’s not every day a brilliant medical researcher ends up on the streets,” Julian said. “Emanuel has been looking for an alternative to Vamp for a very long time.” He opened a door and bowed them into a narrower corridor that sloped farther down into the earth.

  “He asked my dad to come down here. Promised food, shelter, protection, and all my dad had to do was try to find a way to help people.”

  “By giving them better drug
s?” Nola said. “There has to be a way to make people healthy without making them vampires.”

  “And what's so wrong with being a vampire?” Raina rounded on Nola. “Is hiding behind glass really better than living underground?”

  “Raina,” Julian warned.

  “If she’s going to be around, she should learn how to not insult people who could break her in half.” Raina’s black eyes gleamed.

  A low growl came from Julian.

  Raina shrugged and continued down the tunnel.

  “I’m not going to be around,” Nola said. “One vial. I’m getting one vial to help a little girl, and then I’m done.”

  Kieran squeezed her hand. “Then you’re done.”

  Raina had stopped walking again, and Nola, too busy looking at Kieran, almost ran into her. His dark hair had fallen over his eyes, but it didn’t hide their hurt and fear.

  “Kieran—” Nola began, but Julian stepped forward.

  “No time for teenage angst, I’m afraid. Cinderella must get home.” Julian took Nola by the shoulders, steering her out of the corridor and down a small tunnel with a dead end.

  The air in the tunnel was thick and damp. Nola squeezed Kieran’s hand, willing herself not to panic at the sheer wall of blackness.

  Raina pulled out a heavy key attached to a long chain that had been hidden inside her black leather top. In the darkness of the tunnel, Nola didn’t notice the door until Raina reached for the keyhole.

  The lock gave a heavy thunk as Raina turned the key.

  Where she had only been able to see shadowed wall before, cracks of moonlight now split the darkness. Cool, crisp air flooded the hall as the door opened.

  “Up you go.” Julian pointed to a set of metal stairs.

  Nola glanced at Kieran who nodded, and began climbing the metal steps. She expected the stench of the river, or the haze of the city to greet her, but instead, the air smelled like wood and decaying leaves.

  A pool of light bathed the top of the steps. Nola reached her hands out, expecting to feel metal or concrete, but her hands met wood. Light crept in through a crack large enough for her to climb through. She turned sideways and slid out into the forest. She looked behind to see Raina climbing out of the tree after her.