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 summoned every ounce of stage presence. “All your words? Even the bit about liking pizza? Don’t make the pizza sad, love.”


Justin’s expression was indecipherable: not emotionless, but a study in confusion, as if thinking something else, as if figuring out a brand-new or very old concept, as if trying to say or not say more. He started a word, stopped. Started over. “Okay…we can keep the pizza part…we can’t have sad pizza…um. Thanks. For listening. To what I—thanks.”


“Speaking of.” Kris released slim demon fingers. Kept the cost from showing. No visible cracks. Only in the moment: a fracturing, a slipping away, a loss. “Want to hear something?”


Steve’d sent over a digital copy of the morning’s holiday-song recordings; he found his laptop and played them back for Justin, and valiantly did not cringe at his own voice. Echoes bouncing off walls. Hollow.


Chapter 20