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

Silence reigned for the little bit of time it took them to get the horses saddled and everything Witze and Adam would need on their scavenging trip tucked away safely.


Witze tapped against Todd’s chest with the envelopes containing a letter to Porter and another to Jimmy.


“I’ll get these sent off for you.” He leaned in so only Todd could hear his next statement. “Make Nick’s upbringing and training work foryou, not against the two of you.”


After bidding the two of them farewell, Todd and Nick headed back into the house. It took only seconds before Nick was back in that damn chair again. Todd wanted to burn the thing. He fixed them a meal and sat down with it and a newspaper.


“Nick, c’mon, buddy, food’s ready.”


Without looking at Todd through the kitchen doorway, Nick mumbled, “I’m not really hungry.”


Chapter 69