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

“I’m glad you sent Piter away,” he murmured against Jamie’s lips, wondering if he could ever get enough of his kisses.


Jamie’s sweet breath warmed his face. “He’s not the one I want,” he panted, nibbling Nico’s mouth. He pulled back, a frown creasing between his brows. “Besides, he frightens me.”


Nico’s heart stuttered. “How so?”


Jamie blushed, but the troubled look returned to his eyes. “He’s passionate and beautiful, Nico, and I can’t help responding to his sure touch. But he also repulses me, as if there’s something rotten inside him. And twice now he’s called me naughty in a triumphant tone, as if he’s won something from me, though I don’t know what it could be. It scares the hell out of me, though.”


Nico’s arms convulsed around Jamie. Cristo! What had he done? He never should have come here. Better if he had let the current on the lake take him out into the middle. He would have frozen and ended his torment instead of bringing it upon this lovely man.


Chapter 18