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

Still, the place was cemetery quiet, noiseless. Travis paused at the corner and sidled up to the edge of the fence to peek around to the far back of the apartments. Empty too. Regardless, his heart picked up pace. Sand smell was in his nose well and truly, overpowering any other scent that might be around.


Travis kept his back to the fence as he shuffled sideways around the corner. A tuff of fur became visible as he moved deeper behind the buildings, gray-black and glossy, from the last fence. Damn owner probably forgot to close the gate.


It bared its wicked teeth at him as he passed. A shiver overtook Travis’ bones, but he pressed onward, seeing no one in distress. He just wanted to reach the patch of sunlight between the duplexes.


Air displaced behind him. Pain exploded across the back of his skull.


Chapter 31