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

When Nick started rising slowly to his feet, Todd clamped a hand on Nick’s shoulder and stopped him from getting up. Todd could tell by the way Nick’s entire body started trembling and jittering again that he probably wanted to pace the room.


Nick looked up at Todd and nodded. He gripped his knees, and one leg started bouncing. Todd tried his best to ignore Nick’s actions.


“Look, I hate to say this, don’t even like thinking it, but Jah’lar will likely come after me…” Todd let his voice trail off, ashamed of even thinking such things. “He can only attack one of us at a time with hallucinations, you’re sure?”


Nick nodded again. “Yes. If he tried choking Adam at the same time he was making me hallucinate, it wasn’t nearly as powerful or effective. I won’t let you down again.”


Chapter 62