Coveting Ava: Genetically Altered Humans, #7

By Rena Marks

Covet is the first Xeno Sapien to reproduce on his own. He's never had a mate—until his newly hired nanny, Ava, catches his eye.

Ava works at Xenia despite the mandatory implant that erases her brain should she ever leave the safety of the gate. She never expects to be kidnapped and forced into amnesia involuntarily.

When she's rescued by one of her own kidnappers, she has a choice of continuing her love with her gorgeous human rescuer—or re-learning life with the sexy Xeno Sapien whose name and image she can't recall.

And then she discovers the baby girl who calls her momma.

 

* The story behind the series: When futuristic Earth finds alien DNA and creates a new species of hybrids in hidden labs, Dr. Robyn Saraven helps the "creatures" escape. She uses her connections to establish their own city on Earth-Ground where they can learn, grow, and avoid the corruption and greed that created them. *

 

Other books in the Genetically Altered Humans Series:

 

Book 1—Xeno Sapiens
Book 2—Earth-Ground
Book 3—Siren
Book 4—Beast's Beauty
Book 5—Almost Human
Book 6—Forbidden Touches
Book 7—Coveting Ava
Book 8—For Everly
Book 9—Assassin's Mate
Book 10—Sextet
Book 11—Tempting Tempest
Book 12—Falling For Trance  
Book 13—Damaged Goods
Book 14—Alien's Bride
Book 15—Dual Lives
Book 16—Reson's Lesson
Book 17—A Mate For Max

Book 18—Dragon's Mate

Book 19—Fated

 

"This tale evokes a lot of emotion. The love between these two is palpable and the lengths Covet goes to in order to get his mate back... priceless."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rena Marks
• Release date: Jan 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386425120

Rena Marks

Welcome to my Worlds! Rena Marks is a bestselling author with over eighty-five novels under her belt. She combines her love of science fiction with paranormal romance because no matter what happens in real life, a happy-ever-after never disappoints. Come get lost in my worlds for a few hours!

Book preview

Prologue

GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU for waiting. Robyn Saraven’s voice was harried.

Dr. Irina Mescar sat behind her desk as Robyn—the creator of the city of Xenia—entered the office. Ava uncrossed her legs, showing her nervousness with the lengthy delay.

Her grandparents had become enamored with the Xeno Sapiens and had begged her to apply for the job. They’d promised her this was a once in a lifetime opportunity—and it was probably more than they realized.

Is everything all right? she asked.

Yes, it’s perfect. Robyn smiled smoothly. I’m sure Irina explained that your background check cleared. We’ll hire you on the spot if you’ll agree to one last condition.

She leaned forward, wary with this new point of negotiation. I thought every bit of paperwork cleared?

It did, Irina assured her. But in order to work here full-time, there’s a bit of security protocol we’d like to establish. It’s your choice, of course.

Why did they wait until the end of the meeting before mentioning this last thing? If she chose not to accept, she’d be turned away at the last moment.

This is an experimental procedure, Robyn said. It is safe, but you’ll be the first—and only—to go through it. This is a device that is implanted underneath your skin, at the base of your skull, close to the brain stem. We’ll mark it with a tattoo to let us know of the implantation.

Ava squirmed. What the hell was this? There was no way in hell she’d allow this... under normal circumstances. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a lot of options at the moment and that made her grit her teeth.  

Basically, the device will reset your brain with a trigger when you cross the front gates. There are certain things within Xenia that you won’t remember when you leave.

Like what?

Robyn signaled at the front door and Blaze entered, carrying Kaden in his arms. Blaze was Irina’s mate and was sexy as hell, but Ava’s eyes were glued what was in his arms.

A Xeno Sapien baby, if the silver skin and large black eyes were any indication.

This is my son. Robyn retrieved Kaden from Blaze, who immediately came to Irina to kiss.

Ava’s eyes were large as she realized the prestigious Dr. Robyn Saraven had a Xeno Sapien as a significant other. And apparently Dr. Irina Mescar did, too.

It was impossible. Procreation was impossible. Wasn’t it?

You’re able to—

Not everyone is able to, Irina said gently. I’m trying to study those who can and help determine ways for procreation to be enabled for everyone. We haven’t yet had much success.

But with such sensitive secrets, surely you can understand why we need secrecy? Robyn added.

Ava nodded. I see.

Will you agree to take the oath and be implanted?

It’s only in effect when I leave the gates?

Yes, Robyn said. And since you’ve agreed to give us a five-year contract, we hope to develop it further in the next few years. Perhaps update it with a more modern model, one that doesn’t cause amnesia upon your return.

Amnesia? Her voice came out on a squeak.

Unfortunately. We haven’t had time to prepare this fully. As I said, you would be the first test subject.

Ava shuddered. But their medical advancements were amazing. She needed the benefits here, she needed the money, but most of all, she’d be on Earth-Ground where her mother lived. Eventually, she could pay for the surgery she desperately needed.

There were two options. Free sterilization to eliminate the possibility of passing her cancer gene to offspring, or early life termination depending upon what age the cancer would hit. Because it would hit, Ava had the gene marker. The money the job paid would enable her to save for it, even if the healthcare was too expensive.

But an untested object implanted in her? One that could mess with her memory?

I’m sorry. Experimentation is everything the Xeno Sapiens have been fighting. They were test objects. And yet you people expect me to submit as a willing object? Ava stood, smoothing her skirt over her legs. I don’t think so.

She’d have to find another way to save up money for the sterilization.

Robyn stood also, Kaden dropping his head to his mother’s shoulder as she did.

I—I won’t tell a soul about what I’ve seen. You have my promise. I’m sorry. I would have liked to stay. But I can’t go through with the demands established, Ava said.

Ava had a lot of demands placed upon her when the cancer gene was discovered within her DNA. Demands that she drop everything, sell everything, and immediately get herself a ticket for Iota Nine, the most expensive floating city, and the only place where she could get the sterilization.

If it wasn’t too late.

Ava. Perhaps you’d like to know that during the five-year contract you would have on Xenia, you’d have access to free health care? No limitations to status. We offer every procedure imaginable, including those you’d have to travel to Iota Nine to achieve.

Such as the cancer neutralization.

Ava froze. Maybe she wouldn’t have to get the sterilization.

All it takes is a five-year contract.

What if the device isn’t safe? You’ve already determined I’m the first to go through it.

The entire world has heard of our health care. Not only do we have the best team of doctors located right here in Xenia, but our medical technology is unrivaled. Of course our records were obtained by unprecedented and unethical means—namely experimentation on people themselves—but we have access to those records and no one else. No matter what the ramifications from the implantation, we’ll be able to help you should side effects arise. You’ll be our number one priority.

I assume this is in writing?

Right in the disclosure document you’ll affix your DNA to.

Irina handed her a small, 6x9 tablet. Ava took the time to read the document, scrolling through the clauses. If there was any possibility that the neutralization wasn’t possible, it would be in the clause stating that the cancer marker was already found in her.

I don’t see a pre-existing clause.

There isn’t one, Robyn said softly. We have the technology to take care of all conditions. There is no reason why we’d penalize you for having one.

For the first time in years, a glimmer of hope lifted something heavy in her chest. Could this be real? I’m able to book a procedure as early as my first available weekend off?

As early as you wish, Irina acknowledged. Some procedures may require a bit of downtime afterward, but I’m sure your Xeno Sapien employer would work with you to keep your workload light during that period.

I know your employer personally, Blaze said. Covet is one of my best friends. He’ll give you the time you need for recovery.

In fact, he understands completely, Robyn said softly. He recently had his own health issues, which is why we’re hiring someone to dedicate their services to him.

Okay, then, Ava breathed, still bemused with her good luck. Carefully, she pressed a finger to the signature button, which gave the slightest breach of her skin. Not a drop of blood showed on her finger, but she affixed her DNA signature to the well.

Perfect, Robyn’s smile was bright. Welcome aboard. I’ll take this little guy with me while we arrange for your belongings to get packed. We will place you in the quarters next to Covet. Eventually, should you feel comfortable enough to use it, there will be an adjoining door between the apartments. Right now, it’s locked on your side.

Ava nodded, somewhat bemused at how quickly things progressed.

We can take you to meet Covet now, or we can implant the device first.

Will it hurt?

Not at all. It’s barely under the first layer of skin, no deeper than the ink of the tattoo.

Let’s get that over with, please. Then I’d like to meet my employer.

Irina nodded and went to the sink to wash her hands. She affixed medical gloves while Blaze rolled a small chair to sit in front of Ava.

You said the tattoo is going to mark me as letting everyone know I’ve got the implant. Will it be a problem if I let my hair grow? Ava patted her hair. She loved the chic bob, but would people here be afraid if they saw it? Like she was a walking time bomb? Would she need to grow her hair to cover it?

No, Irina said softly. You can cover the tattoo if you wish.

It wasn’t the tattoo that was the problem. It wasn’t even the memory loss that was the problem, should she ever leave the front gates. The problem was the return. They had no way to predict how encapsulating the amnesia would be. How detrimental the side effects may be. She could lose all of her memories—forever. Or she could lose her mind. Who knew what could happen with an experimental implantation?

Irina placed a small viewing screen beneath her and began the intricate, scrolling tattoo first, explaining the steps as she went. The various colors used would make the mark harder to mimic. The scrolling lines also told what make and model of the device was used. There was room to expand each time her implant was upgraded and to add more information to the tattoo.

Blaze took Ava’s hand within his larger one. I know this may seem scary, he said. But the doctor working on your neck is not only my mate but the best doctor there is. She’s the one who discovered the wings beneath my skin. With a shrug, he let his wings erupt, causing a small breeze to lift her bangs.

Oh, you’re the one I saw on the news. Everyone was saying there was a vile parasite about to eat its way through you— She stopped speaking abruptly, worried she’d offend him.

Blaze laughed, setting her at ease. My own friends were saying it also, don’t worry. But only Irina was able to see them for what they were. A part of me developing that needed to be freed. She performed the procedure on me right then and there.

Within a few minutes, the tattoo complete, Irina embedded the minuscule device and used a scanner to seal Ava’s skin overall.

How do you feel? she asked.

Is it over? It didn’t take long at all.

Yes, completely. I told you our medical care is to be envied. She smiled at Ava. We’ll also get you set up for the surgery to freeze your genetic marker for cancer.

Ava’s smile faltered. You know?

We know.

But... did she say the word freeze as opposed to sterilize? The surgery to freeze the marker? she gasped. I thought perhaps I could get the sterilization. Possibly even the choice for early termination.

Blaze’s voice reduced to a growl. We don’t terminate people for being different here.

But I’m only here for five years. If I move back out there at the end of five years, I’ll have to have the papers for one or the other.

You won’t need either, Irina reminded her. So, it’s a moot point. You’ll have the surgery to freeze the genetic predisposition for cancer. Therefore, the cancer will be non-existent. I’ll set it up, and one of our other two doctors, Dr. Eric Field or Dr. Sam Chamuel, can perform it next week. In the meantime, Robyn will have a team go to your apartment and pack things up.

Ava nodded. Will I be able to have visitors? Her voice was small. Would her mother be able to visit? Her grandparents? They were all she had of importance in the world.

Of course. We ask that it’s restricted to Tuesdays, and of course, you don’t share that there are children present in the city. It’s safer for the guests that way. You’re off three days a week, so we’ll make sure that Tuesday is one of your days off.

I don’t need three days off. I’m not even able to leave the city.

Everyone is entitled to time off, Irina said.

Only thing left is to introduce you to Covet, Blaze said, standing. After you. He swept his arm toward the hallway as he held the door open for her.

Ava walked through the doorway, her hand coming up to brush her hair in the back as if her fingers itched to touch the new, glowing mark on the back of her neck. But she avoided it, dropping her hand to her side as she left the doorway. Sure, she knew it was sealed. But she didn’t want to irritate it.

As Irina passed through the doorway Blaze winked at her and she clasped his hand. Ava turned toward them in the hallway, her eyes dropping to their linked hands briefly. The three walked from the building, heading to a building to the south.

This is Building C, where your apartment will be located. We’re taking you to the one next door to it, which is Covet’s. Currently, there’s an adjoining door which is locked on your end. Again, you may choose to use it or not. Now that you have the implant— Irina’s voice dropped off.

The first stirrings of alarm started within her. They’d mentioned this adjoining door twice now... that and the lock.

What am I dealing with? Ava asked. Is Covet... normal?

Blaze burst out laughing. As normal as me. He doesn’t have wings. We’re all different, but normal for us. He has another anomaly, but nothing as horrifying as he eats human flesh.

Ava’s felt the blood leave her head. Was he serious?

He’s kidding, Irina said. The three guys—Blaze, Covet, and Reson—have a warped sense of humor. Covet’s a great guy. He differs from humans with a mix of red and blue coloring on his chest. Those colors mix and darken the rest of his skin color to purple. He has ridges that make his cheekbones look sharp and pronounced.

They reached the apartment door, and Blaze raised his fist to knock—a light tap. Maybe this Covet was expecting them.

Come in. A deep voice, rumbling baritone came from the intercom. It was a surprisingly sexy voice.

Blaze used his thumbprint to unlock the door, and they pushed in.

A purple-skinned male sat in a rocking chair in the living area, a sweet infant cooing in his arms. He wore a thin cotton shirt with short sleeves, his biceps bulging from the hems. The shirt was tight, stretched across a gorgeous chest. Instead of focusing on that, she concentrated on the sweet baby instead.

She’d relegated herself to accepting she’d never have children. For five years—since the day she got her test results—she told herself that daily.

Hey, brother, how’s it going? Blaze sat across from