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

August yanked it away. “Sorry. Is it bad?”


Doren shook his head and pressed his hand over top of August’s, putting it back in place. “Can I stay here, Aug? Just for tonight? Hands off, no crap, I promise. I just don’t want to be by myself. Everything’s all fucked up. I’m all fucked up.”


The simple act of August swiping a cloth over his skin felt like magic. It woke things up in Doren that continued to remain unsatisfied. He couldn’t help it; he groaned again.


August clucked his tongue. “Doren, you’re hurt. Let me get a doctor or something.”


“No, I’m fine.” It wasn’t that kind of pain, he wanted to say. He didn’t.


Doren had a flash of panic when August walked through the door separating their rooms, for why he couldn’t say. But the relief when August walked back in with two beers was almost worth the alarm. August handed one to Doren, and then opened the second for himself.


Chapter 27