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

He’d missed feeling the sheer power of his master’s body and couldn’t be happier to see this side of Todd returning. Nick loved this, being taken, owned, and totally at the mercy of his master’s whims.


Without warning, Todd pulled his hand out of Nick’s pants, stepped back and to the side far enough to grab the barn door latch, and gave it a yank. Nick would have fallen out the door and into the snow had Todd not been there, immediately winding his arm around Nick’s waist and pulling Nick tightly against his chest. The fingers in Nick’s hair relaxed and brushed through the messy strands as Todd kissed him.


Stepping away, leaving Nick wanting and gulping for air, Todd smirked and held him to the wall with a hand for a few more seconds until Nick was steadier on his feet. Todd leaned down, snatching up two of the packages he’d put on the floor at their feet. Nick took the other two and trailed after Todd to the house.


Chapter 33