Night of Never
Page 20
“Nola.” Jeremy walked right behind her shoulder. “I can go in on my own, or take Kieran with me. He knows the tunnels better than you do.”
“I want to stay with you,” Nola said. “You jumped through that window and I didn’t know where you were going or if someone had hurt you. I hated that feeling, and I don’t want to do it again. You don’t just get to worry about me, Jeremy. I get to worry about you, too.”
“I love you,” Jeremy said.
“Good,” Nola said. “Because you’re stuck with me.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for.”
Nola could hear the smile in his voice, but the burned out buildings stole the joy from her heart. Melted metal twisted up from the charred remains of the city. Piles of brick and stone littered the street.
The scent of smoke, burned rubber, and decay sent sour rolling into Nola’s mouth. She pulled her shirt up over her nose, but the stench penetrated the thin fabric.
There were no street signs left or any landmarks Nola could recognize, but Raina steered them through the city without hesitation.
A clatter and crash sounded in a nearby building. Nola wrenched her knives from their sheathes, her heart racing. Before the blades were fully free, a cat ran across the street.
Most of the poor creature’s fur had been burned away. The cat hissed as it ran across their path and dodged out of sight.
Run before someone eats you.
The ground crunched beneath their feet as they moved deeper into the city. Nola didn’t look down to find out why. She was too afraid of what the answer might be.
She looked up to the lightening sky instead. Orange tinted the horizon.
Hurry, Raina.
As if Raina had heard her thoughts, she waved the group toward a tilted building. The roof had burned entirely away, leaving only a shaft of brick behind.
Raina held up a hand, stopping the others as she stalked silently up the steps.
The quiet of the dawn pounded in Nola’s ears. She reached for Jeremy. His hand found hers. A minute passed. Then two.
Finally, Raina stepped back out onto the stoop. She pointed to Julian and Kieran, waving them into the house, then to Nola and Jeremy, pointing the two of them across the street.
Kieran turned to Nola, a line creasing his brow. She could hear his voice in her mind. Don’t go. It won’t be safe.
I know you too well, Kieran.
Nola shook her head and passed the bow and quiver to Kieran. Her hand lingered on his for a moment.
He looked to Jeremy and gave him a nod, then turned and disappeared into the shadows of the bricks, Julian right behind him.
Pain scratched at Nola’s chest.
Call after him. Tell him to be careful.
But silence filled the city, muting her voice.
Words don’t belong on the streets anymore.
Jeremy laid a hand on her shoulder. She turned away from the leaning bricks, following the warmth of his touch across the street.
The building in front of them had collapsed entirely. Not even the stone steps stayed standing. A giant hole in the ground had eaten the stoop.
Twisted and torn metal stairs reached into the hole and out of sight.
Jeremy held up three fingers then pointed into the ground with his gun.
He lowered one finger at a time, counting down.
One.
Nola’s heart quickened as she watched his first finger fold. This is where it had all begun, at the door to Nightland.
Two.
The sun found its way over the horizon, giving depth to the shadows of the devastated city. The world had crumbled so quickly. Soon there would be nothing left but stone and ash.
Three.
Together, they jumped into the ruins of Nightland.
Escape Into Adventure
Thank you for reading Night of Never. If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review to help other readers discover the series.
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As always, thanks for reading,
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Megan O’Russell
Nola’s Journey Concludes in…
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 by visiting MeganORussell.com/newsletter.
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 if you’d visit her website MeganORussell.com, elated to chat with you on Facebook @ORussellauthor or on Twitter @MeganORussell, 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
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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
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The Tethering Series
The Tethering
The Siren’s Realm
The Dragon Unbound
The Blood Heir
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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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