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

The few miles they had to travel were going to take a day or more at this rate. Nick was convinced Todd didn’t have that kind of time.


What frightened Nick the most was Todd sleeping through most of the activity. What he wanted more than anything was to be able to have Todd seated beside him. The small space of separation seemed like a canyon to Nick.


In a way, it was comforting to hear the cough and rattle from the bench seat at the front of the wagon. Each time it became too quiet inside the wagon, Nick stopped to check on his master, sure Todd had ceased breathing. That was never the case and Todd’s quiet periods really lasted little more than a few minutes before harsh, hacking breaths would erupt from his chest.


Chapter 14