Daylight

by Cheree Alsop

  “Where are the lights?” Tariq asked quietly.

  Liora stared at the darkness. The glow of the plants and warm windows that normal heralded Echo was gone.

  Hyrin landed in a dark field. Tariq slammed a fist on the door panel. The moment it slid open, he and Devren took off running.

  Liora followed close behind them. The knife Tariq had given her was strapped to her side. Her hand strayed to the one on her thigh to ensure that it was buckled in place. She didn’t know what they would find, but she planned to be ready for it.

  She reached the open door of the Metis house. The looming darkness said more than words. Devren appeared in the doorway; the glowing torch he held illuminated his pale face.

  “They’re gone. The table’s turned over and a window’s broken. They didn’t go easily,” he said, his chest heaving.

  Tariq appeared around the corner. “There are track marks out back. Whoever took them landed over the garden.”

  “I’m going to town. Someone must know what happened,” Devren said.

  The three of them hurried along the path to Echo. Liora glanced back and saw Brandis following them at a slower pace. He seemed to realize something was wrong, but he didn’t question them.

  Devren and Tariq slowed. A glance ahead showed the reason why.

  Echo had been leveled to the ground. Each building stood in ruin. Fragments and shrapnel showed the type of weaponry that had been used. The houses had been burned along with the church and tavern. The horn on the post in the middle of town that heralded the static producing thunder had been crushed and broken. Even the livestock lay slain in their pens.

  After a few minutes of searching, they found a pile of bodies behind the church house. Several felis carcasses lay torn and mutilated with them. The sight gripped Liora’s heart in a fist.

  “They’re over a week old,” Devren said with tears in his eyes.

  Tariq shrugged out of his overshirt and spread it across Consul Blairia’s still face.

  “Who could do this?” Brandis asked.

  “Obruo,” Tariq and Liora answered at the same time.

  Liora’s eyes were locked on the message scrawled across the side of the partially-burned church house in blood. Devren followed her gaze.

  “I have your family.”

  Below the words was a rough drawing of a blade in the Eye of Tessari. It was the same emblem the tattoo Liora bore beneath her left ear.

  “I’ll kill him,” Devren growled. Tears showed in his eyes and his hands curled into fists. “He’ll pay for this.”

  “Yes, he will,” Tariq replied. He put a hand on his best friend’s shoulder. “We will find him and we’ll find Mrs. M and Kiari, I promise.”

  Devren stared at him. “We fought Obruo on Gliese less than a week ago.”

  The realization of what he was saying struck Liora hard. “Mrs. Metis and Kiari were on the ship.”

  Devren slumped against the side of the church. “We almost killed them.”

  “We had no way of knowing,” Liora replied. She knelt in front of Devren. “You can’t take that on yourself. They’re still out there. We’re going to find them. You can’t give up hope.”

  “How do we find the Kratos?” Devren asked. He looked at Tariq. “How do we fight back when we don’t even have a ship?”

  Tariq shook his head. The shock of finding the town destroyed showed in his stormy eyes.

  “I need a drink,” he said.

  He held out a hand to Devren. When Devren took it, Tariq pulled his friend to his feet.

  Liora followed them into the wrecked remains of the tavern. Only two walls remained. The tables where they had spent nights being entertained by Tariq and Devren’s friends lay in ashes. The thought of Sveth and Granson’s bodies among those behind the church made her heart tighten even further. They deserved to be avenged.

  Brandis spoke from behind her. “It’s a shame what happened here.”

  Liora couldn’t stand it any longer. She grabbed him by the throat and pinned him to the mantel above the empty fireplace.

  “What is wrong with you? Why are you following me?” she demanded.

  “Because I know your father,” he replied, his voice tight through her grip on his throat.

  “Obruo isn’t my father,” she growled.

  “I know, because I know who your real father is.”

  Liora stared at him.

  “You might want to let him down,” Tariq suggested quietly.

  Liora lowered Brandis to the ground. She dropped her hands. “Why do you know that?” she demanded.

  Brandis looked at her, his gaze unflinching. “Because I’m his son.”

  She stared at him, willing the words to sink in.

  Brandis watched Liora steadily, her fingermarks bright on his throat. “The Days own the biggest merchant fleet in the Macrocosm. If you want to find Obruo and make him pay for what he’s done, you have every weapon available at your disposal.”

  “Why are you saying this?” Liora asked. Her thoughts whirled with what he was telling her.

  “Because you are a Day, Liora, and it’s time to come home.”

  About the Author

  Cheree Alsop has published over 30 books, including two series through Stonehouse Ink. She is the mother of a beautiful, talented daughter and amazing twin sons who fill every day with joy and laughter. She is married to her best friend, Michael, the light of her life and her soulmate who shares her dreams and inspires her by reading the first drafts and giving much appreciated critiques. Cheree works as a fulltime author and mother, which is more play than work! She enjoys reading, traveling to tropical beaches, spending time with her wonderful children, and going on family adventures while planning her next book.

  Cheree and Michael live in Utah where they rock out, enjoy the outdoors, plan great quests, and never stop dreaming.

  You can find Cheree’s other books at www.chereealsop.com

  Find Girl from the Stars Book 3- Day’s End wherever books are sold.

  If you enjoyed this book, please review it here so that other readers will be able to find it:

  Barnes & Noble Link: B&N Review

  Amazon Review Link: Amazon Review

  Goodreads Review Link: Goodreads Review

  To be added to Cheree’s email list for notification of book releases, please send her an email at chereelalsop@hotmail.com

  Never stop dreaming!

  ALSO BY CHEREE ALSOP

  The Silver Series-

  Silver

  Black

  Crimson

  Violet

  Azure

  Hunter

  Silver Moon

  The Werewolf Academy Series-

  Book One: Strays

  Book Two: Hunted

  Book Three: Instinct

  Book Four: Taken

  Book Five: Lost

  Book Six: Vengeance

  Book Seven: Chosen

  Heart of the Wolf Part One

  Heart of the Wolf Part Two

  The Galdoni Series-

  Galdoni

  Galdoni 2: Into the Storm

  Galdoni 3: Out of Darkness

  The Small Town Superheroes Series- (Through Stonehouse Ink)

  Small Town Superhero

  Small Town Superhero II

  Small Town Superhero III

  Keeper of the Wolves

  Stolen

  The Million Dollar Gift

  Thief Prince

  When Death Loved an Angel

  The Shadows Series- (Through Stonehouse Ink)

  Shadows- Book One in the World of Shadows

  Mist- Book Two in the World of Shadows

  Dusk- Book Three in the World of Shadows

  The Monster Asylum Series

  Book One- The Fangs of Bloodhaven

  Book Two- The Scales of Drakenfall

  Girl from the Stars

  Book 1- Daybreak

  Book 2- Daylight

  Book 3- Day’s End

  R
EVIEWS

  The Werewolf Academy Series

  If you love werewolves, paranormal, and looking for a book like House of Night or Vampire Academy this is it! YA for sure.

  —Reviewer for Sweets Books

  I got this book from a giveaway, and it's one of the coolest books I have ever read. If you love Hogwarts, and Vampire Academy, or basically anything that has got to do with supernatural people studying, this is the book for you.

  —Maryam Dinzly

  This series is truly a work of art, sucked in immediately and permanently. The first line and you are in the book. Cheree Alsop is a gifted writer, all of her books are my complete favorites!! This series has to be my absolute favorite, Alex is truly a wonderful character who I so wish was real so I can meet him and thank him. Once you pick this book up you won't put it down till it's finished. A must read!!!!!

  —BookWolf Brianna

  Listed with Silver Moon as the top most emotional of Cheree's books, I loved Instinct for its raw truth about the pain, the heartbreak, and the guilt that Alex fights.

  —Loren Weaver

  Great story. Loaded with adventure at every turn. Can't wait till the next book. Very enjoyable, light reading. I would recommend to all young and old readers.

  —Sharon Klein

  The Silver Series

  “Cheree Alsop has written Silver for the YA reader who enjoys both werewolves and coming-of-age tales. Although I don’t fall into this demographic, I still found it an entertaining read on a long plane trip! The author has put a great deal of thought into balancing a tale that could apply to any teen (death of a parent, new school, trying to find one’s place in the world) with the added spice of a youngster dealing with being exceptionally different from those around him, and knowing that puts him in danger.”

  —Robin Hobb, author of the Farseer Trilogy

  “I honestly am amazed this isn’t absolutely EVERYWHERE! Amazing book. Could NOT put it down! After reading this book, I purchased the entire series!”

  —Josephine, Amazon Reviewer

  “A page-turner that kept me wide awake and wanting more. Great characters, well written, tenderly developed, and thrilling. I loved this book, and you will too.”

  —Valerie McGilvrey

  “Super glad that I found this series! I am crushed that it is at its end. I am sure we will see some of the characters in the next series, but it just won’t be the same. I am 41 years old, and am only a little embarrassed to say I was crying at 3 a.m. this morning while finishing the last book. Although this is a YA series, all ages will enjoy the Silver Series. Great job by Cheree Alsop. I am excited to see what she comes up with next.”

  —Jennc, Amazon Reviewer

  The Galdoni Series

  “This is absolutely one of the best books I have ever read in my life! I loved the characters and their personalities, the storyline and the way it was written. The bravery, courage and sacrifice that Kale showed was amazing and had me scolding myself to get a grip and stop crying! This book had adventure, romance and comedy all rolled into one terrific book I LOVED the lesson in this book, the struggles that the characters had to go through (especially the forbidden love)...I couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to live among such strangely beautiful creatures that acted, at times, more caring and compassionate than the humans. Overall, I loved this book...I recommend it to ANYONE who fancies great books.”

  —iBook Reviewer

  “I was not expecting a free novel to beat anything that I have ever laid eyes upon. This book was touching and made me want more after each sentence.”

  Sears1994, iBook Reviewer

  “This book was simply heart wrenching. It was an amazing book with a great plot. I almost cried several times. All of the scenes were so real it felt like I was there witnessing everything.”

  —Jeanine Drake, iBook Reveiwer

  “Galdoni is an amazing book; it is the first to actually make me cry! It is a book that really touches your heart, a romance novel that might change the way you look at someone. It did that to me.”

  —Coralee2, Reviewer

  “Wow. I simply have no words for this. I highly recommend it to anyone who stumbled across this masterpiece. In other words, READ IT!”

  —Troublecat101, iBook Reviewer

  Keeper of the Wolves

  “This is without a doubt the VERY BEST paranormal romance/adventure I have ever read and I’ve been reading these types of books for over 45 years. Excellent plot, wonderful protagonists—even the evil villains were great. I read this in one sitting on a Saturday morning when there were so many other things I should have been doing. I COULD NOT put it down! I also appreciated the author’s research and insights into the behavior of wolf packs. I will CERTAINLY read more by this author and put her on my ‘favorites’ list.”

  —N. Darisse

  “This is a novel that will emotionally cripple you. Be sure to keep a box of tissues by your side. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will fall in love with Keeper. If you loved Black Beauty as a child, then you will truly love Keeper of the Wolves as an adult. Put this on your ‘must read’ list.”

  —Fortune Ringquist

  “Cheree Alsop mastered the mind of a wolf and wrote the most amazing story I’ve read this year. Once I started, I couldn’t stop reading. Personal needs no longer existed. I turned the last page with tears streaming down my face.”

  —Rachel Andersen, Amazon Reviewer

  “I just finished this book. Oh my goodness, did I get emotional in some spots. It was so good. The courage and love portrayed is amazing. I do recommend this book. Thought provoking.”

  —Candy, Amazon Reviewer

  Thief Prince

  “I absolutely loved this book! I could not put it down. . . The Thief Prince will whisk you away into a new world that you will not want to leave! I hope that Ms. Alsop has more about this story to write, because I would love more Kit and Andric! This is one of my favorite books so far this year! Five Stars!”

  —Crystal, Book Blogger at Books are Sanity

  “. . . Once I started I couldn’t put it down. The story is amazing. The plot is new and the action never stops. The characters are believable and the emotions presented are beautiful and real. If anyone wants a good, clean, fun, romantic read, look no further. I hope there will be more books set in Debria, or better yet, Antor.”

  —SH Writer, Amazon Reviewer

  “This book was a roller coaster of emotions: tears, laughter, anger, and happiness. I absolutely fell in love with all of the characters placed throughout this story. This author knows how to paint a picture with words.”

  —Kathleen Vales

  “Awesome book! It was so action packed, I could not put it down, and it left me wanting more! It was very well written, leaving me feeling like I had a connection with the characters.”

  —M. A., Amazon Reviewer

  The Small Town Superhero Series

  “A very human superhero- Cheree Alsop has written a great book for youth and adults alike. Kelson, the superhero, is battling his own demons plus bullies in this action packed narrative. Small Town Superhero had me from the first sentence through the end. I felt every sorrow, every pain and the delight of rushing through the dark on a motorcycle. Descriptions in Small Town Superhero are so well written the reader is immersed in the town and lives of its inhabitants.”

  —Rachel Andersen, Book Reviewer

  “Anyone who grew up in a small town or around motorcycles will love this! It has great characters and flows well with martial arts fighting and conflicts involved.”

  —Karen, Amazon Reviewer

  “Fantastic story...and I love motorcycles and heroes who don’t like the limelight. Excellent character development. You’ll like this series!”

  —Michael, Amazon Reviewer

  “Another great read; couldn’t put it down. Would definitely recommend this book to friends and family. She has put out another great read. Looking forward to reading more!�
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  —Benton Garrison, Amazon Reviewer

  “I enjoyed this book a lot. Good teen reading. Most books I read are adult contemporary; I needed a change and this was a good change. I do recommend reading this book! I will be looking out for more books from this author. Thank you!”

  —Cass, Amazon Reviewer

  Stolen

  “This book will take your heart, make it a little bit bigger, and then fill it with love. I would recommend this book to anyone from 10-100. To put this book in words is like trying to describe love. I had just gotten it and I finished it the next day because I couldn’t put it down. If you like action, thrilling fights, and/or romance, then this is the perfect book for you.”

  —Steven L. Jagerhorn