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

The following morning, after barely any sleep, Nick was happy to see the coffee urns again. It wasn’t the greatest coffee, but it gave him a healthy jolt of caffeine, so it had some value. The meeting with the chancellor was at ten. Then he’d be introduced to the children he’d care for and teach. Nick didn’t have a clue what he’d teach them. Mythology and weapons use? The social cotillion, and seeing Todd, wouldn’t happen until early evening. It was the only thing Nick was able to focus on.


The chancellor arrived shortly before ten, when all the slaves were gathered in the sanctuary dining hall. Nick took the same out-of-the-way corner he’d taken for dinner the previous night. It gave him a good view of the entire room and everyone present. He could easily watch the chancellor without drawing attention to himself. As soon as the crowd cleared and he got his first real look at Chancellor Shaffer, Nick was relieved he’d decided to hang back.


Chapter 21