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

“Excellent.” Icy snow struck Nico’s face, and he pulled up his scarf, making further speech impossible. It took nearly half an hour to reach the main street, and Nico was shivering by the time they approached the rental shop. With a nod to him, Jamie entered the small building. Nico leaned against the wall by the door, looking over the row of snowmobiles for hire. He’d caught Jamie’s sense of urgency and hoped they could get on their way quickly.


In minutes, Jamie returned, followed by a man in a light coat who waved to one of the snowmobiles, briefly describing its operation before he hurried back inside the tiny shop. Nico and Jamie walked over to the vehicle, and Jamie looked at the keys in his hand.


“May I drive?” Nico asked and chuckled when Jamie’s shoulders slumped a little. He tugged Jamie’s scarf down slightly and kissed his nose. “Promise I’ll let you drive next time.”


Jamie laughed and handed him the keys. “Deal.”


Chapter 32