Exhausted with life, Dakota tries to end his -- only to be saved at the last moment by his friend Terrell, who then drags him into a world of magic and intrigue that's always been right there, hidden beneath the surface.<br><br>Powerful magic users are steadily pulling the planet into a violent war, and evil forces will stop at nothing to take the talismans possessed by Dakota and his newfound family. Dakota soon finds himself deeply in over his head ... with love, with family, with fighting for all their lives.

The Pyre Starter

He wanted to go back inside and warm up. Terrell made him hot chocolate whenever he returned from active duty. After everyone else went to bed or to keep watch, he rubbed Dakota’s sore muscles and kissed his back softly. That small amount of contact and routine did wonders for Dakota’s spirits. The warmth, the touching. And when his eyes could barely stay open, Terrell kissed him goodnight before slipping back down to his own room.


Perhaps tonight they could do more. The two didn’t need to have hours of sex. He could be quiet if he wanted. And Terrell seemed so great with his mouth—


A clanging noise at the gate snapped him out of his fantasy. While the ranch’s main entrance was chained shut, climbing it wouldn’t be too difficult, even in the snow. The wind howled, but not strong enough to shift metal. Someone moved it.


Chapter 26