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

“Nicolas? I’m scared.” A child’s voice reached them, close to tears.


“I’m here. Help is coming. Can you be brave for a few more minutes?”


“My leg hurts,” the other child, the little girl, whined, then raised her voice. “I want my momma!”


“I know, bambina. Help is coming.” Nico’s voice broke and he cleared his throat. “I’ll be right here when they bring you out.”


“Okay,” she sniffled and they heard her older brother comfort her.


Nico spoke with authority and gentleness, and underneath, Jamie could sense his deep love and concern for them, perhaps for all of humanity. Was it insolent of him to think he could keep such a man for himself?


Chapter 51