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

I love you, he said, the words for August alone, silent to the rest.


August began to cry. “Don’t, Doren, don’t fucking do it.”


He wanted to reach for them, wipe them away, make everything okay again. There wasn’t going to be any fair godfather to wipe this night away, though. So, instead, Doren slowly sank to his knees.


“No,” Curtis screamed. “I won’t let you do this!” He reached into his jacket and pulled out the pistol.


Doren didn’t give Curtis time to aim. He lifted his hand, collected his power, and sent the gun spinning from Curtis’ fingers. As though it had landed on ice instead of rough concrete, the gun slid out the doorway.


“Stop it, Curt.” Doren felt calm. This was okay. Everything was going to okay as love as August was okay. “I love him. I won’t let Anton hurt him. I sure as hell won’t let him get killed.”


“Buddy…Doren…” Curtis pleaded, “why? After all this? After we got so far? Let us help you.”


Chapter 98