Homeless and hiding from his mother's abusive boyfriend, Davie -- along with his friend Grey -- accept an offer to move to a safe haven called the Encampment. Owned by Slade, and overseen by Maddox, and Ran, it's a well-protected site in the mountains for endangered street kids. Among the present residents is the very taciturn loner, Vin. To everyone's surprise, Davie and Vin become friends of a sort.<br><br>Soon after arriving, Davie discovers there is more to the Encampment than it appears at first glance when Ran, with Vin's help, begins training him in various forms of self-defense.<br><br>Davie finds out why when Slade sends him and Vin on an assignment to stop a vicious gang of slavers preying on homeless teens. From there things get interesting, to say the least, as the two young men try to survive while dealing with their growing attraction for each other.

The Encampment

“Watch it,” Vin muttered jumping back, rubbing his head when Ran contacted a bit harder than either of them had expected.


“Sorry.” Ran waited until Vin had recovered then rushed him. Vin countered, the heel of his palm grazing Ran’s chin before he pulled it back. “I’d be on the ground, probably out cold, if he’d connected,” Ran said.


“Then there’s the joints,” Vin said, beckoning for Ran to attack. He did, tackling Vin to the ground. Before Vin could counter, Ran slid to the side, grabbed his arm, put his foot under Vin’s chin and placed pressure on Vin’s arm, twisting it at an unnatural angle.


“God damn it, Ran. Ease up,” Vin spat out. The second Ran did, Vin grabbed his hand, bending a finger back. “Any farther and I could break it,” he told Davie. “That would make him, or any attacker, think twice about doing anything more.”


“Now it’s your turn, Davie,” Ran said as he and Vin got to their feet. “Remember, Vin’s a friend, not a foe, so don’t go overboard.”


Chapter 17