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

“Yes, fine…I try. Not to. You know what I did. You know why we split up. The band.”


“I know.” Justin gave him a sort of sympathetic eyebrow-wiggle. The hair danced, casting flame-shadows on the morning wall. “I figured you didn’t want to talk about that one.”


“I don’t really, thanks.” His hands felt colder. Empty despite the tea. Of course he wasn’t a good person. He never had been. Manipulations, lies, rock and roll, all-night parties and flaunting of the riotous image, the fame and money and intoxication, and the untrustworthy bruised hollowness in his bones. He did try to be better. He’d learned the hard way. He’d never be able to undo the past. “Is there anything else you need? Anything I can do?”


His demon gazed at him for a second. “You wouldn’t know how to make pancakes, would you?”


“I’ve…never made pancakes. And waffles aren’t real.”


“What do you have against waffles? Can I go through your cupboards?”


Chapter 35