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’d never been the responsible one. He’d been a star. A meteor. A comet of rock-and-roll party nights and chart-topping hits and celebrations. And then he’d indirectly caused the demise of the band, and then he’d settled in alone, way up high in his penthouse apartment with his waning reputation and his pretty-eyed manager…


Justin’s crying tapered off slowly. Gradual smaller sobs. Kris kept arms around him, wriggled around to check. “Justin? Love?”


No answer. Breathing, though, and more regular; Justin’d cried himself to sleep, he realized, exhausted and tipsy and scared and safe enough to collapse. Oh, he thought. Oh, love.


He adjusted weight. Stretched a leg along the back of his sofa; nestled heavy sleepy demon-weight into the spot, kept secure against his body.


In the newfound quiet the aftermath set in.


Chapter 16