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

“I mean, how the hell do you fight against something like that? I have no idea, so I do what I’m told and try to stay out of their way the rest of the time.”


Before Nick could even begin to formulate an intelligent response, there was a knock on the door, and it opened a few seconds later. Jah’lar walked in wearing a casual suit, looking clean and crisp and completely calm and unbothered by anything.


“What did you give to me and do to me last night?” Nick snapped the words out.


Jah’lar oozed across the room and stopped in the space between the two beds, gazing placidly between Nick and Adam. He reached inside his breast pocket and pulled out a small vial, holding it out to Nick.


“I know you’ve already worked out this is a derivative of the kelbit’s venom and produces a different response.”


Nick glared at the vial for a few seconds before slowly lifting his gaze to meet Jah’lar’s. “Go rot in Hell.”


Chapter 47