Literary Las Vegas: Victoria Kaer
A vaccine to treat a pandemic virus backfires, resulting in infertility and birth defects in Las Vegas author Victoria Kaer’s dystopian novel “Regulated.” Nearly 100 years later, the government’s answer is to mark boys with bar codes to identify occupation while girls are labeled based on suitability to breed in government-run ranches. Kaer’s story focuses on a young rebel leader who overcomes her memories of horror alongside a legendary inventor. Kaer is also the author of the Merlin’s Chosen young adult series. Visit authorvictoriakaer.com.
Excerpt:
She glared at him. “When were you planning on sleeping?”
“I don’t sleep much.”
His earlier statement about her nightmares suddenly struck her. He knew — he knew because his nightmares kept him up as well. “You know about my nightmares because yours keep you up. What nightmares drive you up here, Micah?”
He turned away from her, giving her his back. “Go back inside where it’s safe Katie. Go to bed.”
“No. Not until you tell me why you’re up here.”
She glanced back down into the room beyond the trapdoor.
“You defeated all of Ratter’s security protocols. Does he even know you’re up here?” No answer was enough in her book. “He doesn’t, does he? Answer me one question then. Are you the Mech they called M.K.?”
“Katie, go back inside.”
“What is it that you and your sisters are hiding? I’m not an idiot, Micah. The three of you are hiding something.”
“What I’m hiding is none of your business. Now go back inside. I should probably leave, should leave my sisters here, where it’s safe for them, and go before anyone discovers I’m here. It would be safer for everyone. But I’m a fool and I can’t leave them.” His head went back as if he were staring up at the stars in the sky.
“You’re safe here, too, Micah,” she told him quietly. “Please come inside. I won’t go unless you come too.” She couldn’t bear the thought of leaving him up here all alone in the dark. She knew what it was like to be alone in the dark. She hated the dark.
