Death of Day
Page 4
“Raina?” Her father lumbered down the stairs, moving as quickly as she’d seen him in years.
“Hi, Daddy,” Raina said.
“She’s still not dead.” Nettie ducked away from the door.
“Raina.” Her father pulled her into a tight hug. “Where have you been? Were you kidnapped? Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.” Raina buried her nose in her father’s shoulder, willing herself to find his familiar scent of engine grease and smoke. “I’m better than fine. I feel great.”
“That’s…” Her father stepped back, holding Raina at arm’s length as he studied her. “That’s wonderful.”
“I think it’s time I join the family business, Daddy.” A bubble of hope rose in Raina’s chest as joyful tears formed in her father’s eyes. “I want to help build things.”
Discover the Domes
Read more about Raina in the Girl of Glass series, book one of which is free to download at your favorite online book retailer. Get Your Copy Here! (Or copy and paste this link: https://books2read.com/GirlofGlass)
Two worlds. One glass wall. No turning back.
The human race has been divided. The chosen few live in the safety of the domes, watching through their glass walls as those left on the outside suffer and die. But desperation has brought invention. New drugs have the ability to alter humans, giving them the strength to roam the poisoned night unafraid—but survival comes at a terrible price.
Seventeen-year-old Nola Kent has spent her life in the domes, training to protect her little piece of the world within the glass. The mission of the domes is to preserve the human race, not to help the sick and starving.
When the fate of an outsider child falls into her hands, Nola dares to venture beyond the security of her home, diving into a world of darkness and vampires. Life within the glass didn’t prepare her for the realities of suffering or the depth of forbidden love.
When blood washes over the domes, Nola must choose between her home and her heart.
Read on for a sneak preview.
Chapter One
Nola dug her fingers into the warm dirt. Around her, the greenhouse smelled of damp earth, mist, and fresh, clean air.
Carefully, she took the tiny seed and placed it at the bottom of the hole her finger had made.
Thump.
Soon the seed would take root. A sprout would break through to the surface.
Thump, bang.
Then the green stem would grow until bean pods sprouted.
Bang, thump!
The food would be harvested and brought to their tables. All of the families would be fed.
“Ahhhhh!” the voice came from the other side of the glass. Nola knew she shouldn’t look, but she couldn’t ignore the sounds any longer.
It was a woman this time, her skin gray with angry, red patches dotting her face. She slammed her fists into the glass, leaving smears of red behind. The woman didn’t seem to care as she banged her bloody hands into the glass over and over.
“Magnolia.”
Nola jumped as Mrs. Pearson placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t pay her any mind,” Mrs. Pearson said. “She can’t get through the glass.”
“But she’s bleeding.” Nola pushed the words past the knot in her throat.
The woman bashed her head against the glass.
“She needs help,” Nola said. The woman stared right at her.
Mrs. Pearson took Nola’s shoulders and turned her back to her plant tray. “That woman is beyond your help, Magnolia. Paying her any attention will only make it worse. There is nothing you can do.”
Nola felt eyes staring at her. Not just the woman on the other side of the glass. The rest of the class was staring at her now, too.
Bang. Thump.
Families. The food she planted would feed the families.
Bang.
Pop.
Nola spun back to the glass. Two guards were outside now. One held his gun high. A thin spike protruded from the woman’s neck. Her eyelids fluttered for a moment before she slid down the glass, leaving a streak of blood behind her.
“See,” Mrs. Pearson said, smoothing Nola’s hair, “they’ll take her where she can’t hurt herself or any of us ever again.”
Nola nodded, turning back to the tray of dirt. Make a hole, plant the seed, grow the food. But the streaks of blood were burned into her mind.
About the Author
Megan O'Russell is the author of several Young Adult series that invite readers to escape into worlds of adventure. From Girl of Glass, which blends dystopian darkness with the heart-pounding danger of vampires, to The Chronicles of Maggie Trent, which opens the gateway to a hundred magical realms.
2019 has led Megan on a new publishing journey, which will see thirteen projects released within the year including the Girl of Glass series, The Tethering series, The Chronicles of Maggie Trent, and The Tale of Bryant Adams. To be the first to hear about new releases, free short stories, and giveaways, sign up for Megan's newsletter here.
Originally from Upstate New York, Megan is a professional musical theatre performer whose work has taken her across North America. Her chronic wanderlust has led her from Alaska to Thailand and many places in between. Wanting to travel has fostered Megan’s love of books that allow her to visit countless new worlds from her favorite reading nook. Megan is also a lyricist and playwright. Information on her theatrical works can be found at RussellCompositions.com.
She would be thrilled to chat with you on Facebook or Twitter @MeganORussell, elated if you'd visit her website MeganORussell.com, and over the moon if you'd like the pictures of her adventures on Instagram @ORussellMegan.
Also by Megan O’Russell
The Girl of Glass Series
Girl of Glass
Boy of Blood
Night of Never
Son of Sun
* * *
The Tale of Bryant Adams
How I Magically Messed Up My Life in Four Freakin’ Days
Seven Things Not to Do When Everyone’s Trying to Kill You
* * *
The Tethering Series
The Tethering
The Siren’s Realm
The Dragon Unbound
The Blood Heir
* * *
The Chronicles of Maggie Trent
The Girl Without Magic
The Girl Locked with Gold
The Girl Cloaked in Shadow
* * *
Sweet Romance Novellas
A Midsummer Love’s Dream
Nuttycracker Sweet
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