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

Piter looked up from the couch where he sat opposite Anna MaGee. Jamie shoved his hands in his pockets, fighting an overwhelming urge to slap the wide grin that spread over his lovely face. “Nico! You came. And, Jamie dear, come sit by me.” He patted the cushion next to him, his eyes dancing as if he read Jamie’s mind and was amused.


John put his hand out. “Anna, come here, please. Where’s Andy?”


Anna’s blue eyes widened at his rough tone, but she stood and hurried over to him. “Andy’s in the family room. What’s the matter?”


“I’ll tell you in a second.” John took her hand and urged her down the hallway, presumably to the back of the house. Piter’s soft laughter slithered along Jamie’s spine in the silence that occupied the living room when they’d gone.


Nico made an impatient sound and Piter waved him closer. “Come, Nico, I didn’t hurt the boy. Not yet, anyway, but that’s entirely up to you. Come sit down. We have a lot to discuss.”


Chapter 29