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

Joining Nico in the bedroom, he grabbed his coat and sparse belongings. Nico put a hand on the small of his back as they went to the door. “Ready, angelo mio?” He glanced at Jamie and Jamie saw his eyes widen while his breath seemed to stutter. Nico took Jamie’s hand and kissed his palm. “Enchanting, amore.” He bent to Jamie’s ear. “Can’t wait to have you to myself.”


Jamie’s face warmed and he nodded in agreement.


“Be sure to come back and see us again,” Susan told them when they handed over the keys to the room.


“We will,” Nico said, though Jamie shuddered when the front door closed behind them and they stepped into sunshine. Last night’s nightmare still lingered in his mind, and he warily eyed the street, morning traffic already marring the blanket of fresh snow. Without snowshoes, they struggled to cross the parking lot, and Jamie let out a relieved breath when they reached the snowmobile.


Chapter 58