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

Todd groaned. “I really am tired of your kind. And you, you sick bastard—“ he gave Raleigh another jab “—you employ them.”


Without warning, Raleigh shoved against Todd. In one quick move, Todd twisted his handgun around and slammed the butt end into Raleigh’s temple, dropping the man at his feet. A split second later, the gun was trained back on Jah’lar.


Without taking his eyes from Todd, Jah’lar held a hand low and slightly away from his body. “Stay where you are.” He smiled at Todd. “I have control, not you.”


“You knew about this.” Jah’lar and hissed as the palest kid Todd had ever seen moved away from a shadowed corner of the room. He was tall, lanky, with nearly translucent eyes and snow-white hair.


The kid flinched away, gaze darting frantically between Jah’lar and Nick, shaking his head. He pointed at Nick. “He, they—”


“Adam, shut up,” Nick snapped at the kid. “You’ll make it worse.”


Chapter 56