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

Nick was a few paces behind, and once clear of the door, he stayed along the wall with Captain Howard.


Todd turned in their direction, firing again at two men charging Nick and Captain Howard. Nick stepped forward, staying in front of Captain Howard. He sidestepped fast as she darted along the wall, keeping her out of sight with his body.


One of the men charged Todd. He met the man head-on. Bullets did no good unless it was a direct shot to their skull. The others Todd had already shot weren’t getting back up. Before he could get a shot off to the man’s forehead, the man was on top of him. His gun knocked from his grip, it clattered to the floor.


Todd ducked the punch aimed at his face, grateful pyrahni were notoriously terrible at hand-to-hand combat. Two quick punches, his hitting squarely to the man’s jaw, drove his attacker back a few steps. He was about to draw his other gun when a weight crashed into him from behind.


Chapter 57