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

“Water. Now,” he said, not watching to see if Piter obeyed him. Jamie’s lips had blackened and cracked, covered in dried blood that had also dripped onto his chin. Piter came back and knelt beside them and held a small carafe to Jamie’s lips, pouring a few drops of water onto his swollen tongue. Jamie sputtered, choking. Piter gave him a little more, then poured some into his own hand and wiped Jamie’s lips and chin.


Nico watched in disbelief as Jamie’s lips healed before his eyes, becoming soft and rosy once again. Piter continued down the tortured body, and wherever his hand spread the water, Jamie knitted together, the wounds closing, his skin turning milky white under Piter’s touch with only faint scars remaining.


Chapter 68