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

Jack turned to Lexi. "You have to stay here. Got it?"


"No. Stay. Promise me that you will stay?"


Jack shook his head. "There is nothing you can do, muffin. Please. I don't want to worry about you. I have to get your mother and I need you to be safe. So take the pod and go. I will catch up as soon as I can." Jack flicked at the controls, locking them in place.


He held his arms out for a hug. She stepped into it, burying her face in his shoulder. He held her tightly.


"I love you," he whispered. "You've grown into a fine young lady. I couldn't be more proud of you."


"Please don't leave me again," she whispered.


His heart sank and he hugged her even tighter. "It will be the last time. When this is all over, I will always be at your side. I promise."


He stroked the back of her head. "Please be safe." He stepped back to look at her.


"Wait." She pulled the sapphire ring off her finger and stuffed it in his shoulder pocket.


Chapter 225: Supernova, Part 1