It seemed so simple, cross a train yard, hop a train and Todd and Nick would be free, on their way home to Elk's Ridge in Yellowknife. Nothing is ever simple or easy for the Ruger men, however. Captured by Vice-Chancellor Raleigh, Todd is imprisoned, leaving Nick alone and seeking a way to free his mate. Help comes from an unlikely and unexpected ally. Todd's freedom places the Rugers yet again into the Chancellor's debt. He sends them on a fact finding mission to the small village of Eldrid, the same village where Nick was raised a slave.<br><br>There they discover how past events led to their present society, the origins of sentries and slaves and what made some of them so special. They also uncover a conspiracy spear-headed by Vice-Chancellor Raleigh. An attempt at stopping him isn't as successful as they'd hoped when old enemies are confronted. The realities of war, and why some people don't survive, are hard lessons for both Todd and Nick to learn.<br><br>Through firefights, explosions and a vicious attack from a seemingly unbeatable supernatural being, one thing is reinforced over and over-the most important thing each one has is each other. Will they survive or join an ever-growing list of casualties?

Collared Souls

None of it was Todd’s fault, but he’d been quietly and without complaint, bearing the brunt of Nick’s emotional turmoil.


Nick turned back to face Todd, reached up, and rubbed Todd’s biceps a few times before letting his palm rest against Todd’s upper arm.


Todd looked down at him and asked, “What day?”


“In Eldrid, when I was little. You came the day I was bonded to you. There were some other people, too. They wanted to see me. I was terrified, but when they left and Tutor Linn was taking me back to the dorm, I saw you sitting on a horse.” Nick smiled softly. “You winked at me.”


Todd’s face split into a delighted grin. “You remember that?”


“I remember thinking you looked all grown-up and tough.” Nick had made Todd smile. Somehow that eased his own anxiety in the process. “No one had ever winked at me before.”


“You two really do work well together,” Witze said.


Chapter 22