A.F. Henley

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

“Great,” August teased with a pout. “My expiration makes you smile.”


“Never!” Doren pulled August against his shoulder. “And don’t be so convinced of Anton and his skill. He is, after all, afraid of us.” He waved his finger in a circle. “Of this. Fear doesn’t come easily to that man.”


“And what is this, Doren?” August asked, ignoring the rest of that comment.


“You know…us.” Doren said, “Us together.”


August shook his head, the heat from Doren’s body seeping in to his as if Doren was his own personal furnace. It was kind of nice. “Is that what we are? Together?”


“I don’t know. I guess. I mean, I thought so.”


For a minute August didn’t say anything at all. He just digested what Doren had said. Nice concept, but could he trust it? “Yeah, I thought that too,” he said finally. “But I’m not so sure anymore. You acted like a massive jerk.”


Doren sat up, pushing himself off the wall. “I swear, Auggie, it wasn’t me. Something was all…well…I guess I don’t know. Fucked up.”


Chapter 57