Kris Starr used to be famous. Rock and roll. Sold-out shows. Literal magic. Empathic talents and screaming fans. But he has a problem or two. He's having a hard time writing new music. It’s Midwinter, which means he’s surrounded by depressing holiday cheer. And he's in love with Justin, his manager, who has a talent for rescuing almost- or once-famous bands ... and who’s hiding secrets of his own. Justin Moore, on the other hand, is very good at keeping those secrets -- he's had to be for years. One secret involves a demonic inheritance that would make him a target of suspicion. Another involves his past. And the third involves Justin’s feelings for Kris Starr, rock and roll icon and now his client ... and a powerful empath of his own.

A Demon for Midwinter

He opened his mouth. Justin said before he could, “I think I am heading back to the office, actually, and I’ll be over at the Palace playing talent scout tonight, so call me before then if you need anything, I’ll answer, it’s my job.”


Justin vanished into the nearest subway entrance. Kris stared at the dark opening in growing dread, andthen ran, but was accosted by a balding fan in a Sparkle Tour ‘89 t-shirt and a pen waved at his face. By the time he disentangled himself, Justin had gone.


The subway entrance snickered at him with concrete complacency. The fan wandered off with untroubled satisfaction, having either not noticed or not cared about a rock star’s preoccupation with empty air.


In utter despondence and the full awareness that his autograph’d likely be on sale on the internet the next morning, Kris went home.


Chapter 4