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

Pressing his back to the cool brick of the building he was against, Todd crept forward to the corner, watching as the patrol moved down the opposite side of the cross street. As soon as they entered another door, Todd sprinted across to where Nick would be waiting.


Two blocks over was the alley behind the livery and their target destination. As soon as Nick saw Todd, he pointed between two buildings, motioning he was going that way. Todd nodded and inched back far enough he had a clear view of the street. Turning back to Nick, he nodded again and signaled Nick to keep moving.


They kept going, skirting between buildings and down back alleys among garbage dumpsters, ducking down as they crossed by windows. Their roundabout path took them about twice as long to travel the distance to their escape route.


Chapter 72