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

Todd slid his arm around Nick’s middle, holding his mate as best he could and not get in the doctor’s way. “What the hell—?”


Porter’s gaze flicked to Todd for a split second before focusing again on Nick’s back. With the removal of each “pearl,” Nick shivered, his skin rippled and puckered and Todd saw tiny tendrils snap away from the muscle of Nick’s back. Whatever they were, the damn things were putting down roots.


As the string of fleshy beads was placed on a small towel on the tray, they flattened out. It explained why when either of them touched the spot, they never felt the small intruders. The things were malleable and conformed to any outside pressure.


When Nick sucked down a sob, Todd gripped him tighter.


“Let him give you some drugs, Nick.”


Chapter 21