Pulse Core by Salina Strange

Systems engineer Harla Benton arrives in the floating city of Auralis tasked with stabilizing its ancient sentient core. What begins as a technical assignment quickly deepens into something far more intimate when the core recognizes her bloodline and initiates a neural rewrite that binds her to the city’s human avatar—her step-uncle and governor, Kiernan Benton.

As the connection strengthens, Harla finds herself caught between her independent nature and the growing pull of the city’s will, while Kiernan struggles to maintain control over both the metropolis and the woman now linked to its pulse. Shared neural feedback heightens every encounter, turning routine maintenance into charged proximity filled with unspoken hunger and dangerous tension.

Visible markings appear on her skin as the bond evolves, drawing the attention of the ruling council family. Public addresses and private sessions blur the line between duty and desire, forcing Harla to confront her changing role. When the core demands full integration, she must decide how completely she will surrender to the city’s claim and the man it has chosen for her. Emotional stakes rise as loyalty, legacy, and forbidden attraction collide in a world where technology and flesh become one.