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 sheriff bypassed the parking area and stopped the wagon right in front of the door. Before Nick could dismount from the horse, the sheriff had tossed him the team’s reins and jumped clear of the wagon, striding to the front door and knocking, calling out, “Doctor Porter.”


A few seconds later, Nick was staring at an older man, probably as tall as he was but much leaner, almost wispy. He had straight gray hair that was swept back from his face in thin strands and light brown eyes. The doctor looked Nick up and down as if he were being appraised. Nick recognized the actions, he’d seen them enough from Todd and realized the doctor was checking for wounds or signs of sickness.


The sheriff twisted his upper half far enough to look back at Nick. He raised his eyebrows and fluttered a hand by his side in a hurryupmotion.


Chapter 16