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

Jamie opened his mouth to invite him in and felt Nico jump as if startled. He glanced up and found Nico’s gaze riveted on the refrigerator. His heart thumped with apprehension. “What is it?”


Nico stepped around him without replying, not taking his gaze off the pictures held by small magnets to the refrigerator doors. Jamie moved up beside him.


Jamie caught his breath at the dread in Nico’s voice. “Just one. His son Andy. Nico, what’s the matter?”


The thick lashes blinked, and Jamie shivered when Nico’s fierce gaze met his. “Piter’s seen these. In nome di Dio! I have to stop him.”


Jamie watched as he strode across the room, momentarily stunned by the panic in Nico’s voice. “Nico, wait,” he called and trotted after him, putting a hand on his arm to stop him as he headed for the front door. Nico gave him an impatient look, but Jamie was determined. “You can’t go out in the storm. Please wait until morning, at least.”


“Piter won’t wait. He’ll hurt—”


Chapter 24