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

Todd wandered down the hall and stopped at the first door, a bathroom. Like the kitchen, it was along the outer wall, providing easier access to the solar panels and outer piping for plumbing. “This is almost like a hotel or apartment building,” Todd said. He looked into the bathroom before moving across the hall to the smaller of the two bedrooms. A large wooden wardrobe stood at the end of the hall.


Nick trailed after Todd to the larger bedroom, also on the outer wall. It not only had a ceiling fan but its own balcony. The bed was positioned so someone lying on it could look out onto the balcony and surrounding scenery. A large woven mat covered much of the stone floor.


Chapter 28