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

Shaking the papers open, the sheriff read through them, glancing at Nick every few seconds. “You two up here working?”


“No, sir.” Nick shook his head. “When New Colorado City was burned, we were coming back from a job. We headed north to stay away from the fighting.” He figured it was close enough to the truth.


“We were looking for somewhere to live, found a cave to camp in and got caught in the blizzard. Todd, my master, he’s got a cough and is sick and is getting worse. Please, he needs a doctor.” He silently begged the sheriff not to question him further, having no idea what he’d say. “I’m required to look after my master if he can’t do it himself, even if that means driving wagons.”


Chapter 15