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

“We’re going to retire for the night,” Nico told them, his voice kind. “It was nice meeting you all, and if we don’t see you in the morning, have a Merry Christmas.”


The sentiment was returned, Frank and Bob McKorkle standing up to shake Nico’s hand. The children hugged his legs. Jamie said good night, distracted, flushed, and achy. Would they never reach their room? At last their host returned and led them to the second floor and down a short hallway, opening a door to a charming guest room with a queen bed prominent in the center. A quaint bedside lamp cast a soft glow over the chamber.


Chapter 49