Betrayed by a lover, Jamie rents an isolated cabin on Lake Huron, wanting only to be left alone. Instead, he is pulled from his solitary existence as an artist and tumbles headlong into the legend of Saint Nicolas.<br><br>As a young man, Nicolas accidentally killed a man intent on murdering three children, only to have the man's malicious spirit rise up against him. Fleeing through the centuries from the Krampus, the evil troll-like creature that dogs his steps, Nico finds refuge with the young artist who takes him into his home and bed. But Jamie has questions. Who is Nicolas, and why does the Krampus want to destroy him?<br><br>When the Krampus begins to torment and torture anyone Nico comes in contact with to punish him, Jamie's life is put in danger. And Jamie isn't sure whether he can help Nico defeat his nemesis or if he's merely a pawn in the Krampus's game.

Nicolas

“Nico, are you all right?” he asked, frantic when there was no response. “Here, take my hand. Come out of there, honey.”


Nico reached for him and then curled in on himself as a ragged cough wracked his body. In a panic, Jamie grabbed him under the arms and dragged him from the tiny shelter. When Nico was free, Jamie had him sit on one of the lower rocks. Nico struggled to keep open his heavy eyelids, clearly exhausted. Jamie feared he was running a fever as well. He dug in his pack and removed heavy gloves and hat and a thick scarf. After taking off Nico’s wet things, he exchanged them. Nico’s coat and the sweater under it seemed dry enough. He paused with the thermal underwear and wool socks in his hands. The thought of removing Nico’s boots terrified him, but there was no choice.


Chapter 11