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

He bent one arm under him, propped up on his elbow, rested his chin in his palm, and watched Nick walk out of the bathroom.


“Hey, morning. You’re finally awake.” Nick crossed to where they’d left their bags and dug out jeans and a shirt.


“Hey, yourself.” Todd scratched at the back of his head. “Since the day I took you from this place, getting you up in the morning has required a crowbar…or dynamite. I can count the number of times on one hand that you were out of bed before me.”


Nick looked at the floor between his feet. A slow, sly smile formed on his face while a light blush worked its way down from his ears. He glanced at Todd from under his bangs. “Well, we’ve got a job to do, and what we need isn’t going to find itself.” Nick pulled his jeans on and stuffed his hands in his pockets.


Todd sat up and swung his feet around to the floor. “No, it’s not. You have a point.” He pushed off the bed. “Mind if I get dressed first, maybe have a shower?”


Chapter 34