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

“Thanks,” Nick said, letting his observing journal rest on his thigh.


Todd settled in the other chair. “Find anything?” He leaned back and looked up at the stars.


“Nah,” Nick said softly. “Same stuff as last night. I like finding the constellations and reading up on the myths that go with them.”


“I do.” Nick sipped his coffee, watching Todd.


“How’s it going with all that stuff Dr. Porter is teaching you?”


Nick shrugged. “I like the learning part.”


“There’s a but in there somewhere.” Todd chuckled.


When Nick didn’t say anything, just looked at the ground, Todd had his answer. Their first few trips with Porter on his patient rounds in the area proved to Todd that Nick would never have the bedside manner needed to calm people. Nick’s shyness and insecurities, brought on by being raised as a slave, bubbled to the surface every time he was faced with dealing with someone he didn’t know or who was difficult.


Chapter 27