In a future where the United States is slowly rebuilding itself, Omega Travis Danten is a big city cop sent to a seemingly desolate city on the edge of the Waste. This desert is full of undesirables, and it’s only a matter of time before they wreak havoc. But, Omegas are always assigned Alphas, and his new partner’s job is to protect him.<br><br>But SdAI Alpha Virgil is not at all amused with the partner who chose him. Travis is willful and naive to the dangers a homicide detective faces here, and it makes Virgil’s job that much harder. And Travis, of course, is human and develops feelings, feelings that go beyond the rules about Omega/Alpha partnerships.<br><br>Travis and Virgil have to find common ground, find a killer, and find space for each other in their own hearts, even if one is artificial.

Artificial Heart

“Why didn’t he tear up the face this time?” Travis murmured, mostly to himself. He partner shook his head.


“I don’t know. Maybe he needed the bigger thrill of watching his victim’s face.”


Possibly. Jackson’s face had been damaged first, then the body. But this man didn’t show any sign that he had felt the pain at all, or even fought back. He face was smooth, mouth closed, eyes closed. Come to think of it, the reports on Mitchell’s death showed no signs of defensive wounds. What the hell was going on?


“This omega doesn’t look like he died screaming. Why?”


“Exactly,” Virgil replied. “I found this.”


Virgil waved him over, pointing out a spot on the throat that Travis couldn’t see. He bent down and scrupulously scanned every millimeter of skin. Barely noticeable were two black dots, directly under the right ear. “Those look almost like bite marks.”


Chapter 18