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

“Um…I grabbed a murder mystery, another astronomy book, and something on the history of this area from the shelves in the living room.”


Waggling his fingers, Todd held out his hand and leaned toward Nick. “Murder mystery. Twenty minutes, then you get your ass over here and get some sleep.”


“Yes, master.” Nick smiled, dimples coming out full force, scooped up the book, and dropped it into Todd’s hand.


When Todd started awake—when had he fallen asleep?—the book he’d been reading was on the bed beside his hip, and a heavy weight pressed down on his chest. Craning his neck to look wasn’t really necessary; Todd recognized the weight on him even before he was completely awake.


Chapter 23