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

Smoke rose from the chimney of the attractive A-frame, and Jamie stomped up the steps to the wide porch, anxious to get into the warmth inside. His hands shook as he unlaced the snowshoes and pulled off his snow-encrusted boots. Lifting his hand to knock, he frowned and tried the knob, pushing open the unlocked door. Heat enveloped him and he stumbled across the threshold, whimpering in relief.


Piter looked up from where he sprawled on the couch in front of a roaring fire. A grin leapt to his face, and he sprang to his feet and hurried across the room. “There you are!” He helped Jamie remove his coat. “I was becoming worried.” He unwound the scarf from Jamie’s neck, his fingers lingering on his skin. Plucking the hat from his head, Piter quickly loosened Jamie’s braid and ran fingers over his scalp, sending prickles along Jamie’s nerves.


Chapter 13