As the son of the infamous New Amsterdam city mayor, Lucian learned at an early age that power is king, love is for the weak, and a real man has no use for tears or mercy. The only light in Lucian's formative years was Shea who gave Lucian the impetus to break free of his father and leave the city. Shea is never far from Lucian's side, a friend and companion.<br><br>But after a lover dies despite Lucian's best efforts, Lucian returns home with new purpose: build an empire to destroy the darkness that steal lives and souls. Shea's back in the city, too, and when three long years pass without contact, Lucian realizes he can't live without confessing that Shea is his only solace and reason for living.<br><br>When reuniting with Shea leads to a horrifying discovery at the hands of the very evil Lucian wishes to eradicate, Lucian vows a path of bloody vengeance to save Shea from certain destruction.

Winter's Knight

Shea was safe. Shea’s family was safe. Shea was here, and his, and sound asleep, and Lucian paused at the banister, content for a moment to listen to deep breathing and to wonder at the burn in his eyes, at the dampness on his cheeks. He didn’t wipe his face because he didn’t want to discover the sensation was merely imagined, and when the mound of quilt and sunset blanket shifted, Lucian crept closer and climbed beneath the covers. Warmth blasted his skin, made him shiver and sigh.


“Mm…?” Shea questioned over the rustle of sheets. The serenity in the single syllable, the safety inherent in it, forced a fresh wave of emotion from the corners of Lucian’s eyes.


“Oh, good. Luke.” Shea’s voice was heavy with sleep, and one big hand wrapped around Lucian’s arm and tugged. “Come here.”


Chapter 59