Doren was born with a powerful gift -- a gift he's managed to use to put him well on his way to becoming a star. But there is more to that gift than just musical talent, and as careful as Doren is to hide that fact, there are some who know of the power behind the sound, and all the ways they could abuse it.<br><br>August's goal in life is simple: make an impact in the music industry. An opportunity to work as the personal assistant to Doren seems to be exactly the kind of break he needs to accomplish that goal.<br><br>But all too often in life, simple becomes just another complication, especially when there are people whose goal is even simpler: destroy and dominate.

The Gift

“This is good. Very good,” Anton continued without waiting for Doren to answer. He stepped between the two of them, effectively moving Diana along without speaking a word to her, and peered through the panel alongside Doren. “You know what they say, don’t you? A good assistant is worth their weight in gold. A best friend, even. Better than a wife. They’re more devoted, more concerned, and at the end of the day,” he looked over at Doren and winked, “they can’t take you for half of everything you own.”


He was expecting a laugh that Doren didn’t give him, evidenced by the tightening of his lips when Doren merely nodded at the window. “It’s okay. I only want to see one of them.”


Diana sighed from behind him, but she sounded more resigned than surprised. “Just the one? I mean, there’s almost a hundred people out there, Doren. I’d hate to just send them home.”


“Yep,” he turned to grin over his shoulder at her. “Just the one. That one. There in the suit.”


Chapter 4