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

The mile marker passed in a blur of cramping muscles and chilled skin, but as they crested a hill, Alpena spread out in the valley below them and Jamie gave a small cheer. Nico shot him a look and halted.


“You’re in distress, mio caro. Why didn’t you stop and rest?”


Jamie shrugged. “We’re almost there. Let’s keep going. I want to get out of the snow and find a hot cup of coffee.” He couldn’t see Nico’s expression behind the dark glasses and the scarf wrapping his face, but he was sure he smiled. Nico took his arm, and they walked the remaining distance, Jamie turning down the first street toward the doctor’s office.


The building looked dark and Jamie grimaced. It hadn’t been unexpected, but he wished they’d found the doctor and his son straight away, for Nico’s peace of mind. Nico shivered beside him, probably just as cold as he was, and Jamie nodded, deciding their next move. “Looks like he’s still out on a call. We’ll go to the diner and see if anyone knows where he is.”


Chapter 26