Todd Ruger is a sentry, a very good one, some might say the best. He was eleven when he and Nick were bound as master and slave. Todd spent the years Nick lived in the slave village waiting for the day Nick could leave and they’d be together, bit by bit building a life for both of them. He took his role of master seriously. It was his responsibility to provide for Nick, protect him and along the way he learned to love him. Todd loved Nick deeply and completely. They were more than a pair of sentries. Todd and Nick were friends, lovers, mates.<br><br>Eighteen months ago, Nick left the small village where he’d spent his entire life being raised and trained as a slave. Blessed with a unique skill set, Nick became a sentry. He took his place beside his master, Todd Ruger, defending society against the many paranormal threats that abound. They became more than master and slave, they became mates. Nick had found a home with Todd and together they became a family. Eventually, Nick’s special abilities and skills attract the attention of the second most powerful man in New Colorado Protectorate’s government, Vice Chancellor Clarke. Or, maybe certain people knew of Nick all along and just now had cause to use him. He believes Nick might be the answer to explaining Chancellor Shaffer’s sudden, unusual behavior.<br><br>Forced to go undercover the Chancellor’s Estate, Todd and Nick discover an ancient and deadly creature preying on residents of the estate. The same creature that is radically effecting Chancellor Shaffer. A creature only Nick can see in its true form. It hunts using specialized skills and has Todd and Nick in its crosshairs. Even if they defeat the creature and survive, they still face the possibility of being torn from each other when their lives are thrown into chaos by the thing they’re hunting.

Together Bound

Clarke waved a hand at the hall he stood in. “May I wait here?” He smiled. “This place has room service and a delivery staff, and you’re free to use them.” Clarke reached out and gently tapped Nick’s forearm. “And Nick—” he touched a fingertip of his other hand to his left eye “—when you’re inside the sanctuary, you have to remember not to do that.”


Feeling his cheeks flush, Nick immediately looked at the floor. “I-I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”


Clarke stepped back and leaned against the wall opposite the door, waving Nick off. “It doesn’t bother me in the least. But some people at the estate, they’re a bit militant about those things, so watch yourself, okay?”


“I appreciate what you and Todd are doing. I have some understanding of how difficult this must be for you.”


Nick’s gaze flicked up and then down to between his feet again. “Todd said we’re still sentries. It’s our job.”


Clarke smiled. “Your master is a very good man.”


Chapter 8