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

“That’s better,” Anton whispered, crawling over the end of the bed toward him. “That’s a good boy.”


August closed his eyes tight and bit his tongue as hard as he could. For although his mind was screaming, howling, August refused to give this man the satisfaction of hearing him cry. Not for as long as he could hold out anyway.


The CD skipped, bounced with a warble, and it caught Doren’s attention. What was that? Something faint, in the distance? An animal, a child? The CD player whined and began to spin, once again filling the car with sound and Doren turned confused eyes on the girl in front of him. She pulled his hands back toward her. “Don’t stop, Doren, please.”


Chapter 54