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

The breath that Doren sucked in as he bolted upright almost made his head spin. Without another pause he reached for the pen and the pad of paper he always kept beside the bed, regardless of where he was sleeping. He was scratching out lyrics when August walked out of the bathroom.


“What are you doing?” August leaned over Doren to peek at the paper. The smell of rain and fabric softener hit Doren like a soft, fluffy pillow to the face. The sudden desire to slip his arm around August’s waist and pull August on to the bed was almost painful. Instead, Doren lowered his head and licked his lips. “I’m writing. The rain has inspired me.”


“Good,” August chirped. His mood seemed about ninety-nine times better. “I can get some work done.”


It didn’t take long for the words to shift from mind to paper. They never did when they hit Doren like those ones had. Then he just sat back and watched August make phone calls.


Chapter 18