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

“It’s not fresh. It can wait.” That sounded totally lame, and Nick knew it.


Porter’s eyes narrowed, and he tilted his head to one side. “Let me look at it and I’lldecide if it can wait. Medical degree and all.”


“Is Todd going to die?” Nick blurted out. He was sure this was all simply to keep his master comfortable in Todd’s last days, and the doctor didn’t want to admit it.


“No, he’s not. Here’s the deal. You let me look at your shoulder. I saw the tattoo on his chest. You’re sentries. I’ve treated sentries a time or two. If…ifit can wait, we’ll care for it when Todd is more up and around. If I don’t cure him, you don’t have to let me do a thing.”


Nodding slowly, Nick reluctantly turned and pulled his sweatshirt off, then rucked his T-shirt up under his armpits, exposing his wounded shoulder. Biting down on his lower lip to keep from crying out in pain, Nick put a hand against the wall as a brace while the doctor gently peeled back the bandage and probed the area.


Chapter 18