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

Something about it got the hair on the back of Todd’s neck to rise and his stomach gave a little twist.


“That’s not right,” he muttered to himself, turning in his seat to watch the wagon’s progress. “What the hell?”


Hauling back on the reins, he pulled the team to a slow turn. Slapping one rein against the rump of the lead horse had them taking him back the way he’d come. Telling himself he was being paranoid did no good. Every sense screamed at him something was wrong. Another slap and the horses picked up speed.


Rounding the last curve that hid the mill from the road, he gave in to his fear and whipped the big horses into a gallop. As the mill came into view, Todd saw the two men from the wagon pulling Nick, kicking and fighting, through the main doors by a rope tied around his neck.


“Hey!” Todd bellowed, voice carrying over the pounding of the horses’ hooves, he stood and lashed them to more speed. “What are you doing? Let him go!”


Chapter 38