For most, survival is success. For Spike, it's just the beginning ... With the month of training over, Spike’s about to start national service and step outside Edin’s gates for the first time in his life. He doesn’t know much about what lies ahead, but there are four things he knows for sure: One - Over the next five months, he will face scores of diseased intent on ending his life. Two - People he knows and cares about will die. Three - To stand a chance of being the next protectors’ apprentice, thereby taking him closer to a future with Matilda, he must survive and do it in a way that makes his leaders happy. To keep his leaders happy, he must hold his ground when other teams are in battle, letting them manage their own fights, even if their lives are in danger ... Even if Matilda’s life’s in danger. Four - Ranger Hopkins will do everything in his power to make sure Spike fails, targeting both him and those he cares about in an attempt to prevent him from making it to the trials. For most, survival is success. For Spike, it’s just the beginning. In five months' time, his world will be very different. Will it be for the better? Check out National Service, book two of Beyond These Walls to see if Spike can survive, conform, and help protect those he cares about most while remaining on his path to becoming Edin's next protector.

Publication Year: 2018