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’s voice brought him back to the moment. “I could manage a few bites, if you don’t mind.”


“Not at all. Here, we can share mine.”


He picked up his bowl and sat beside Nico. Glad to have something to focus on besides Nico’s face, he stirred the stew and lifted a spoonful to Nico’s lips. He watched the gorgeous mouth open and take his offering. Nico swallowed and licked a smudge of gravy off his lips. Jamie moistened his own lips, feeling slightly dazed. God, he wished he could kiss him, feel those soft lips on his own. His body tingled with the thought, and he shyly raised his eyes.


Chapter 16