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

“Let’s get your shirt off so I can take a listen.” Porter held up the stethoscope and stepped up to the bed.


When Nick tried to help Todd unbutton his overshirt and get the undershirt off, Nick’s hands were swatted away, making Nick murmur, “Stubborn bastard.”


Todd snorted, which evolved into more coughing, and the doctor chuckled softly. Shifting impatiently from one foot to the other while Todd was examined, Nick anxiously watched every move the doctor made. All the questions the doctor asked were answered by Todd and corrected to more accurate information by Nick, which earned him a few raised eyebrows and glares from his master. He was filled with so many questions of his own, his chest felt as if it would burst wide open if he didn’t get some information soon.


“You can put your shirt back on now,” the doctor said after a few more minutes of intensely listening to Todd’s chest and back. He gently nudged on Todd’s shoulder, urging him to lie back down.


Chapter 17