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

Settling in a chair closer to the fireplace, Nick rubbed his arms a few times, trying to rid himself of the chill he felt. “That’s okay. No harm done.” He liked this chair and preferred it to any other in the house. The others were more inclined to leave him alone when he hunkered into it and pretended to read.


When Nick looked up at Todd, waiting for the man to agree, he was met with a solidly neutral expression.


“A little.” Nick rubbed his arms again, hunching down farther into the chair.


“I think, Adam, we can work through what happened with Raleigh and get beyond. Everyone makes mistakes. Isn’t that right, Ruger?” Witze said to Adam before he crossed the room and clapped Todd’s shoulder.


Chapter 66