Drew McLean has had a run of bad luck and it’s dampened his Christmas spirit. But the last thing he expects to find for the holiday is a demon. While strolling in the late-night snow, Drew hears screeching tires and a sad scene is awaits him around the corner. A man kneels beside a dog hit by a car, distraught and broken. The man is Artem, a demon sent to find a pure soul. Drew matches that description to a T. The problem is Artem’s never really been good at the demon gig. Will a little Christmas magic help them both find what they’re looking for?

Old Christmas Magic

“Oh yes, Artem, tell him.” Cyril waited a heartbeat and when Artem refused to speak, terrified into silence, he went ahead. “I sent this nitwit here to capture a pure soul by midnight Christmas Eve and, well…” He held out his hands indicating Drew. “Look at who he delivered. You. And just in the nick of time.”


A moment of silence passed, Drew’s frown deepening as the weight of Cyril’s words settled on his shoulders. Artem wished the ground would swallow him right up, thinking of all the wonderful things they’d done, the kiss, and now this, the harsh truth coming to light. How it must hurt Drew, to feel betrayed, lied to, and at a time of the year humans considered peaceful and filled with love. A lone tear slipped, cold as it coursed down his cheek.


“Is this true, Artem?” Drew finally asked.


The words refused to come, lodging themselves in Artem’s throat. He nodded, unable to even look at Drew.


Chapter 14