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

“Bullshit!” Raleigh pulled back an arm and backhanded Adam.


Adam’s head snapped back and to the side. He made a sobbing sound and winced. “No, please.”


The key turned, and Nick’s right arm was free. The guard turned away for a few seconds to look at Raleigh and Adam, shaking his head and mumbling something under his breath. Twisting on his heels, he pulled Nick’s left wrist into his hand. Nick stared at the hand holding him, fascinated that the guard’s hands were larger than his own.


A second crack of skin against skin, Adam whimpered, and Nick growled, “Stop it!”


The final click of a key turning in a lock and the idiot had set Nick loose. He was loose, and he was pissed


Pushing to his feet, Nick stumbled a few steps to the right, regained his balance, and swung at the guard. His limbs were heavy, and he felt as if he was trying to move through water. The guard stood and blinked at him, then laughed.


Chapter 48