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

Nico’s heart constricted. Jamie was trying to comfort him, after what he’d just endured? Nico cupped his face. “Piter is in a dangerous mood,” he warned. “He’ll search Andy and his father’s minds for a place they find disturbing and take the boy there.”


Jamie’s eyes were wide open, vulnerable, fear lingering in the blue depths. Nico quickly took his hands. “My brave angel,” he murmured. “This is going to be very hard for you. Piter has seen your fantasies, but he’s also glimpsed your nightmares. I wish I could spare you, but Piter can be cruel. Are you ready?”


“I think so—” As if hearing his own hesitation, Jamie firmed his expression. “Yes. I want to stop him. Nico, he can’t go on hurting us like this.”


The hint of his returning spirit filled Nico with pride.


“You’re my light against Piter’s darkness,” he murmured into his ear.


Chapter 37