Todd and Nick Ruger are on the run after narrowly escaping the war in New Colorado, where they were implicated in the assassination of Chancellor Shaffer. Todd is gravely ill and Nick has serious injuries, but that's the least of their problems. They're alone with dwindling supplies and facing the harsh winter bearing down on them far north in Yellowknife Protectorate. Just when it seems they're trapped between the proverbial rock and hard place, they are offered refuge with a doctor in the isolated town of Elk's Ridge. As they heal, they're offered a fresh start in Elk's Ridge. But just as they begin to rebuild their lives, tragedy strikes. Victor Raleigh, the new Vice-Chancellor of New Colorado, knows all about Nick's psychic abilities, and he'll settle for nothing less than total control over Nick. He's aligned himself with a vicious creature, a type of psychic vampire capable of wielding control over individuals such as Nick. When Nick is betrayed and captured, Todd sees no alternative but to head back into the war zone to rescue him. Will Nick be the same man Todd loves after Raleigh's pet psychic vampire is through with him? Can Nick accept the fact Todd can love him after what Raleigh forces him to do, or will his guilt consume and destroy him?

Chained Hearts

“Nicky, come on…come here.” Todd pulled him close again. “Stop this. It’s okay. We’re okay. Tell me about them, everything.”


Sighing, Nick straightened, leaning away from Todd far enough to look out at the trees for a minute. He nodded slowly.


“They’re always the same. The kelbit comes after me, just like it did at the Chancellor’s Estate, but then it gets worse. I can’t get away, and what it does…it goes a lot further. There are two in my dreams and the one still alive is pissedwe killed her mate. Then…” His voice cracked, and he shivered again. “Then I have to kill it—killyou. I can see that thing’shead with your face on it coming off the body and rolling away. Watching me, always watching me.”


Todd rubbed up and down Nick’s spine. It felt good, and Nick relaxed into the strength of Todd’s hand and gentleness of his touch. “Nicky, you have to let it go. For me, please?”


Chapter 3