Ava Altair grew up reading fantasy and science fiction novels. She graduated from Florida Tech with a BS in Science Education – Physics and a minor in Computational Mathematics. She taught as an AP Physics teacher for five years in Florida. She now lives in Oregon, teaching horseback riding lessons and managing the stables with her mom. She enjoys hanging out and talking about science concepts and story ideas with her dad.

What it is to be human doesn't apply anymore. The surface of the Earth has been poisoned by years of abuse and now most life lives beneath the waves of the ocean. Over the last 500 years, humans have become fragmented and specialized by genetic manipulation, but two main factions exist in the Undersea. The hybrids, a race that continues to genetically modify themselves to climb the social ladder, and the humans, the unmodified organic race that makes up the lowest tier of society. 

Alex, a Delta Six hybrid, finds an unlikely companion in a human man, Jack, while on a mission to steal the Athena file. Alex withholds the file to elicit help from Jack and they set out on an adventure across the Surface. Their relationship is tenuous until a device mysteriously links them together. Now, running from Alphas, an elite group of hybrid assassins, Alex and Jack must weather the hostile surface of the planet to reach their common goal. They soon find they can't both have the thing they want most, but also can't seem to let each other go.

FLUX

"Get dressed you damn woman," Henry Truex said angrily. His black slicked back hair came loose, trailing in front of his emerald green eyes as he waved his hand at Alex.


She stood in her old quarters. She was back in the house she had lived at for many terrible years. Alex crossed her arms and stuck her chin out stubbornly.


Henry pinched her chin between his thumb and the knuckle of his index finger. "Get dressed. Now," he commanded. "Before I get someone to do it for you."


"I'd like to see them try." Her eyes glared defiantly into his. His grip on her chin made her want to shutter, but she held it back.


Henry backhanded her, the quick slap made a loud smack that cracked the air. He released her chin with a shove. Alex stumbled backward a step. She held her chin up strong, fighting the urge to cradle her cheek. Alex cracked a wicked smile. "What are they going to think when they see me now?"


Chapter 51: Tradeoff, Part 1