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

“You want me,” Justin said drowsily, nestling more into him. “You know who I am and you want me and you’re trying so hard not to push, I can feel that too, and—it feels nice. Just knowing that. I want you to know that.”


“Mmm,” Justin said, “nice,” and after a second his breathing evened out, body lax and pliant along Kris’s side; he evidently had indeed gone to sleep, following orders, feeling secure.


Kris lay exquisitely still, heart aching with emotion, and felt plumes of fire settle against his face,his throat, drifting out of motion. He held his demon, in Justin’s bed, in Justin’s family home; the overflowing pulse of happiness spilled outward and ran beyond old accustomed banks and brought life to the world. Justin sighed in dreams and that hand curled in on Kris’s chest; Kris exhaled and thought ofold songs, fragments of love-lyrics, rhymes and notes dancing on a breeze.


Chapter 57