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

Justin at home looked a lot like Justin having coffee with him, but different too. Relaxed. Comfortable. More free, and Kris hadn’t ever realized he’d been contained, restraining himself.


“Okay,” Justin said, and sketched shapes into the air: birds, flowers, rainbows, burning and crackling. Fireworks blossoming from nothing at all, drawn in saffron and gold and ruby streamers and sparks through domestic air. They twirled and glowed and faded, conjured from light and returning to nonexistence. Demon magic, drawn by demon fingertips, and it lit up the kitchen, dazzling and ephemeraland harmless and wild and playful.


The twins applauded, especially when he drew a dancing skeleton. It doffed an imaginary top hat to Kelly and disappeared.


A chubby grey ribbon arrived from nowhere; it twined itself around Kris’s ankles, and meowed.


Chapter 42