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

“This is a dream. It’s not real,” he assured his frantic mind. But then he recalled Nico’s words. Piter would never play another mind game with him. A shudder ran through him. This was the cruelest reality.


His arms ached, wrists shackled together and suspended over his head by a thick chain looped through a hook in the unfinished ceiling. He straightened, easing his arms somewhat, but his legs shook, unable to bear his weight for long.


“Why am I here?” he whispered, licking his dry lips, becoming aware of his thirst. He couldn’t see much of the area, lit by a single bare bulb overhead spilling its sickly yellow light on him, but keeping the corners in shadow. He seemed to be the sole occupant except for a wooden table shoved against a wall. Various metal tools glittered on its surface, along with some long black objects that looked like various types of whips.


He blinked, his sluggish mind noting he stood naked, a bar between his ankles holding his legs several feet apart. What…


Chapter 64