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

“It’s okay,” Kris tried desperately. The moment had collapsed in on itself, mutual teasing become apocalypse. He didn’t know how to stop it. “You’re okay.”


“I never really knew him,” Justin said, still pale under unnerving calm. “I never knew he’d—that he could want to hurt me. He was so angry…But he didn’t know me either, and I can’t say—everything I just said, it’s a lie too, because no one would’ve wanted to sleep with a demon if they’d known…”


“You’re still you.” Kris held out a hand: an anchor. One more reminder; he’d keep offering them as long as need be, as long as Justin would listen to them. Emotion in place: broadcast and perceptible to those enhanced senses. “We decided that already, yeah? You said you never hurt anyone. All good memories, right? Like your cupcake boy. You made each other happy. ‘S what you do.”


“I don’t think,” Justin said, shaky but valiant, “I know anything anymore. Except you. You’re always here.”


Chapter 44