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

“You need to get the boy warm,” he said, and coughed slightly to clear his throat, rough with tears. “Take him into town. We’ll follow.”


Nico winced for the desperate tone of John’s voice. “He will. Piter’s forgotten him.” He flicked a glance at the house almost lost from sight in the swirling snow. “His mind is elsewhere.”


“Get the boy safe. I’ll see to Piter.”


“But—” John closed his lips on his protest at Nico’s impatient look. They turned and trudged the short distance to the truck, Nico leaving them there and making his way to the snow-covered porch. He heard the truck door open and a moment later slam shut; then he put the doctor and his son from his mind, shoving open the front door to the house.16


Chapter 42