Detached Certainty. Extra Elements Series, #24

Dr. Rielle Thyme arrives at the Ranch, doing her own investigation on the people there. Only to meet with one Collin Guillebeaux, one of the Security personnel. Unfortunately for her, Collin is a Nordic connection, Erus'. The Nordic combat pilot has just been waiting for a sign from Collin, something, anything to show that the man feels the same way that he does. Only, he waits too long and Collin finds himself very attracted to Rielle.
Erus isn't happy about this. He is especially not happy when he finds out that Rielle is also one of his connections. No, Erus wants Collin all to himself, and that's what he gets. For awhile. Right up until the moment that Collin realizes what Erus did and leaves him. Broken and lost, Erus seeks out Rielle in hopes of apologizing. Getting to know the woman he was once jealous of, he finds himself quickly falling in love with her.
The trio are still finding their way when tragedy strikes. Collin is wounded in a Op. Erus and Rielle stick right by his side, helplessly watching as his body, his very DNA, is changed in horrfying ways. While the doctors scramble to stop the changes, the triad prays.