HONE (Into the Fire #5)The time nears for Matthias to become an apprentice. Marcus tries to claim him for the fighting corps. Not to be outmaneuvered, Wolf demands the boy spend equal time in the blacksmith's workshop. When a heated argument becomes a tipsy reminiscence of their own training, Wolf and Marc concoct exactly the sort of idea fueled by long winter nights and too much ale.Inspired by the master-apprentice tradition, the two men embark on a private exchange of guidance and discipline, instruction and experimentation, and practice, practice, practice. But what begins as a playful sharpening of skills soon lays bare the core of their partnership: the strength, durability, and resilience that have bound them for years - qualities they'll need if Marc is going to accept his son's true calling, and Wolf acknowledge the unconventional apprentice he's been training all along. HONE is the 5th novella (21,000 words) of INTO THE FIRE, a steamy historical romance series featuring two strong, stubborn, sexy heroes:1. THRUST2. STRIKE3. FORGE4. QUENCH5. HONE6. FRACTURE7. WELD8. GRIND9. BURNISHINTO THE FIRE seriesMarcus is a soldier with no army, Wolf a blacksmith armed only with a hammer and his wits. Thrust together when Rome collapses, these former rivals must strike a partnership, one stoked by their past and edged with a searing desire, to forge a future in an unpredictable new world.INTO THE FIRE is the first series of the STORM'S EDGE saga.