Humans and an invasive alien species have come to a stalemate. Humans in rural areas can only survive at night with a shield built from alien tech. Marauders steal an older couple's shield power source and troubles begin.

When chef Emily Parker takes a job at Verdonia's royal palace for Christmas, she begins a romance with the castle's handyman Nick. But she doesn't know he's really Prince Nicholas and that his parents already have a bride picked for him.

A few months after being relieved from duty, Zal reunites with his military buddy and now Oklahoma mayor, Jason, to try to track down their friend, and the missing gold that they all stole together from their time in service in Burkina Faso.