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

The apartment shook itself out, unhappy, emptied, restless as a puppy whose owner’d gone out. Kris resisted the impulse to say I know, me too, I know, we’ll hear from him soon. His apartment did not belong to Justin.


Except that it felt like home when Justin was there. So maybe it did, and he did, and his heart did too.


He picked up pizza-boxes. They opened lids and beamed at him. He’d helped. He’d been here, and he’d helped. Kris Starr had fallen in love and helped someone. Like an animated holiday special, the musician and the demon, improbable and compelling as a fairy-story.


Almost like being someone’s hero. He liked that feeling.


And he laughed at himself and his delusions of grandeur, and went to put leftovers away. He hoped Justinwas safe and warm and happy. He hoped Justin wasn’t coming home to an argument, or at least that there was also enough love to keep it a small one. He hoped Justin liked the songs.


Chapter 23