by Rena Marks
COVETING AVA
Rena Marks
Coveting Ava
A Xeno Sapiens Novel
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 the sexy Xeno Sapien whose name and image she can’t recall.
And then she discovers the baby girl who calls her momma.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
Xeno Sapiens
Alien Stolen
Abducted
Space Babies
Artificial Intelligence
Stargazer Series
The Hunter
Also by Rena Marks
Prologue
“GOOD MORNING. THANK you for waiting.” Robyn’s voice was harried.
Dr. Irina Mescar sat behind her desk as Robyn—the creator of the city of Xenia—entered the office where their applicant already waited. The human—a brunette—who sat in the chair opposite her, uncrossed her legs, showing her nervousness with the lengthy delay.
“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.”
The woman leaned forward, wary at 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.”
She knew by the woman’s eyes narrowing that she was well aware of the fact that if she chose not to accept, she’d be turned away at the last moment. They’d deliberately set things this way—basically giving her no choice in the matter.
“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.”
The woman squirmed uncomfortably, and Irina knew from experience that if her situation wasn’t so desperate, she’d be up and out of there, tossing the job behind her.
“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 to the baby he held in his arms.
Ava gasped at the silver-skinned, large-eyed infant.
“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.
“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?”
“Unfortunately. We haven’t had time to prepare this fully. As I said, you would be the first test subject.”
Ava shuddered, but even with that, Irina was sure she would do it. How could she not? Her background revealed the genetic predisposition for the ancient gene marker of cancer. The disease had been wiped out of existence because humans were able to pay for a surgery to freeze the gene.
If a family had enough wealth.
For those who didn’t, there were two other options. Free sterilization to eliminate the possibility of passing the gene to offspring, and early life termination depending upon what age the cancer would hit.
Of course, they would give Ava the surgery she needed. But they wouldn’t tell her she had free health access while on Xenia unless they needed to sweeten the deal.
“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.”
Well, that was a surprise. Ava had enough morals to toss this opportunity aside. She was perfect.
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.”
Irina understood. Ava would have had a lot of demands placed upon her when the cancer gene was discovered within her DNA. She felt Blaze’s warm hand squeeze her shoulder, giving her his strength.
She stood also. “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, and Irina knew the same thought occurred to her.
“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. She was impressed that Ava took the time to read the document, scrolling through the clauses.
“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.”
“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 b
it 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 to him.”
“Okay, then,” Ava breathed. Without further adieu, 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, her stress completely relieved. “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 as if she loved the chic bob, so Irina understood what she was really asking. Whether she’d be ostracized with the marking on her exposed neck and might 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.
Irina began the intricate, scrolling tattoo first. 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 as if she 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.”
His distraction worked. 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?”
“Is it over?” Ava’s wonderment said it 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.”
Something seemed to dawn on Ava. “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.”
Ava gasped. “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 Eric 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.
“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.
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. You may choose to use it or not. Now that you have the implant...” Irina’s voice dropped off.
“What am I dealing with?” Ava asked. “Is Covet...normal?”
Blaze laughed. “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 face paled.
“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 because Irina knew he didn’t want to wake the baby.
“Come in.” Covet’s voice came from the intercom.
Blaze used his thumbprint to unlock the door, and they pushed in. Covet was seated in a rocking chair in the living area, as he rocked Baby.
“Hey, brother, how’s it going?” Blaze sat across from him.
“It’s all good.” Covet’s blazing eyes focused on Ava. They blazed a purple glow.
“This is Ava, your new help. Ava, please meet Covet, and this little princess is Baby.”
“Nice to meet you,” Ava said. “She’s adorable. May I?”
Covet nodded, leaning forward to settle the baby from his shoulder to his large hands before passing her to Ava. Ava handled her expertly, rocking her gently in a cradle hold.
“I adore children,” she murmured, her eyes focused on Baby. “I spent my internship volunteering in an orphanage. Ever since we discovered that we were causing a lot of our own mental illnesses by lack of skin-to-skin human contact, volunteers were welcomed in their pre-teenage years, where they’re old enough to love, but not old enough to work. I wanted to become a nanny after that. I was lucky enough to have grandparents who made sure I was able to obtain a teaching degree.”
Covet leaned in, and for a moment, Ava was distracted from the baby as she stared at his bare chest for the first time.
“I know.
That’s why we chose you. Your teaching degree.”
Ava looked confused. “But I was hired for housekeeping.”
“That’s what we told you,” Irina said. “Because we couldn’t really share that the position was for a single father without any experience in rearing children.”
“Single? I’m sorry.”
Covet looked confused. “For what?”
“Your...wife? Something must have happened to her?”
Covet laughed, the rich sound making Baby rustle, smile faintly at the sound of her father’s voice, and then settle. He smacked Blaze in the shoulder, and the two of them grinned at each other like loons. “There’s no wife.”
Irina sighed. “You two love freaking people out, don’t you? Ava, I warned you about their humor. Covet is single. He has a unique ability to produce and carry offspring on his own. That’s one of the reasons you needed the implant. We can’t have that knowledge getting outside of our walls. It would cause an uproar around the already-present paranoia of certain groups against Xeno Sapiens.”
No one missed how Ava’s eyes roved down Covet’s chest to his flat abdomen. “You just gave birth?”
“He didn’t stretch outward,” Irina said softly. “Instead, his organs were pushed up into his chest. It caused a lot of stress to his body, and we definitely need to get him hired help while his organs rearrange. Things are moving ever so slowly back to where they should be. As you can guess, this is an unprecedented pregnancy.”
“So helping you with Baby is the actual job?”
“Yes. If you would like it.”
“I’d love it!” Her smile at him glowed, and everyone heard Covet’s sudden intake of breath. The quick move showed his sharp teeth. Ava’s smile faltered. For a few seconds, the two of them stared at each other.
“Well, we should get going,” Blaze said. “We’ll leave Ava here if you don’t mind. The movers should be here shortly to set her up next door. Robyn will come by to program her locks and everything.”
“No better time to get to know each other,” Covet rumbled, his gaze on Ava.
“If you need to reach me for anything,” Irina said, getting up from the sofa with Blaze. “The call number is 914.”
