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

“Nick has bad dreams, nightmares, and he sometimes talks—loudly. It embarrasses him if he thinks he’ll disturb anyone.”


“I’ll be sure not to notice. I can probably give him something to help him sleep more soundly.”


“Thanks, but I don’t think it’ll come to that.” Todd paused, taking a deep breath as he concentrated on buttering his slice of bread. “I take care of him, you know. He’s not a possession, he’s my mate. Those…things, I had no idea. If I had—”


“Nick thinks the universe revolves around you. I highly doubt he would feel that way and be so open about it if he was a mere piece of property and uncared for. Neither of you had any way of knowing. Why would you, really? You said yourself that particular creature is very rare. I’ve never seen the condition written up in any medical journals, and it’s likely most people wounded in such a way didn’t seek treatment.”


Porter cut him off. “I never did. How long have you and Nick been together?”


Chapter 24