Sloane & Dex: Shhh!

Blood & Thunder (THIRDS #2)

Recommendation: read books in order

*Spoiler Alert*

the following comments reveal the cliff hanger to Hell &High Water

Another OMG! Amazing!  Once again, Cochet gives us plenty of excitement; more battles, incursions, kidnappings; more secrets, hidden agendas, bigotry, vengeance and…romance. This sequel, the 2nd installment of this military romance action fantasy, resumes where Hell and High Water leaves off. The maniacal Isaac Pearce continues to reign terror by targeting Therians, Therian sympathizers and THIRDS agents. 

(Did you say, Isaac? WTH! but I thought Isaac…)  

Terroristic threats, murders, and the horrific bombing of a Therian youth center places both the city and the THIRDS on edge and on high alert. Always one step ahead of the Thirds, Isaac and the Order outmaneuvers, sabotages investigative leads; consequently placing the THIRDS under intense media scrutiny and harsh public criticism. Even more menacing, the Order discovers evidence of the THIRDS previous covert operations; a clandestine lab, secretive documents, 1st generation Therian experiments and containment;  just more reasons for Humans to fear Therians, distrust the government and their subsequent coverups. If disclosed, these mind-blowing revelations could alter the dynamics, the paradigm of relationships within the THIRDS organization as well. These secrets must remain hidden… at all costs. 

Intertwined with the secrets of the THIRDS, Sloane, a 1st Gen. Therian, obsessively protects his nightmarish past…struggles with his guilt, his shame… “Sloane had grown accustomed to hiding. His relationship, his vulnerabilities, the truth about himself, and what he was.” 

Shhh…

Dex and Sloane are a couple, lovers, with no strings attached. They decide to move slowly, taking it day by day, just feeling comfortable with each other…  accepting what each is willing to share, bring to the relationship. Sloane continues to be reserved, cautious, still hesitant about moving too quickly, and…secretive, and Dex does not push.  He gives Sloane space. Dex want to be supportive; however, he’s unsure and questions, is there a future for them?  How long can they keep their relationship a secret?

And Sloane is a mess…

As a result of his unresolved feelings for Dex, his tortured childhood, his reluctance to relinquish Gabe…his lost love, Sloane becomes more distant, brooding, moody, edgy, secretive…struggles with his feelings, how does he define what he has with Dex. Dex is insecure about their relationship. If only Sloane will trust him, share who he is, with him, his partner…the one person who will always have his back!  

These insecurities and doubts escalate and climax when Dex makes a tactical decision to  rush into the danger, save Hobbs life, ignoring a direct order from Sloane, his Team Leader. Sloane is beyond pissed! Sloane initiates a pre-disciplinary verbal reprimand. He’s convinced that Dex must follow orders and not endanger himself or the other team members; Sloane rationalizes his decision to not show any favoritism toward Dex, lover or not. As expected, Dex goes ballistic!  A reprimand! WTH? “Dex gaped at him. ‘You’re taking discipline action?” Knowing that there’s much more to their rift;  they must acknowledge the proverbial “elephant in the room,  Dex confronts Sloane’s obsession to take control… Sloane’s inability to trust…anyone

 And Sloane introspects, “Was he taking it out on Dex because he was too scared of where things were heading?”

Oh, my poor Sloane *sigh*

Let me fangirl a bit… I embrace Sloane; the archetypical smexy, brooding, tortured hero. Blood and Thunder tells more of Sloane’s back story; give us insight into his vulnerabilities, fears, and emotional turmoil, the reason for his reticence, his distance, his self-loathing, and fierce loyalty to Ash. 

“Whatever you hear, whatever they say, please…don’t believe it. Dex opened his mouth to reassure him, when Sloane’s choked voice whispered in his ear. I never meant to hurt her. I’m not a monster”.

Overall, a great read, Blood & Thunder continues to intrigue…with its cast of supporting characters: Ash & Cael, Calvin &Hobbs, Seb & Hudson…Need to know their stories!

There’s more suspense… as the THIRDS face a new challenge, the Ikelos Coalition, a Therian vigilante group. And… Oh BTW, there’s  a mole, a traitor within the THIRDS, one who allies with the Coalition! 

Stay Tuned!