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

“Those are the guest accommodations.”


“You don’t kneel here,” Todd said suddenly.


“Todd.” Nick’s eyebrows pulled together, and the muscle along his jaw knotted.


“I mean it, Nick. Not to these bastards or no coffee for a year.” Todd’s gaze slipped to the side for a quick look at Nick. He winked, hoping to reassure his mate.


He didn’t look happy, but Nick nodded, and his shoulders lost some of their tense appearance. They trotted the horses into the village and came to a stop outside the office building of the elders. Todd swung off Arenite, seeing how little clouds of dust had been kicked up and settled again in the horses’ wake.


Handing Nick the reins to Arenite, Todd stopped his mate from dismounting Obi and said, “Wait here for a minute, okay?”


Nick’s eyebrows knitted again and he pulled his lower lip between his teeth and chewed at it, shifting in his saddle.


Chapter 26