Strange Little Band – Dark, edgy sci-fi romance

Addison sang softly as she rocked Jacob in his bassinet. The Little Prince’s eyelids fluttered shut the third time through “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” Addison was tempted to join him. Thanks to Ashlynn she’d been up since 5 a.m., and the day had gone downhill from there. Shane’s heavy-handed attempt at discipline–the thought of which [...]

The 80-pound heavy bag rocked with each of Shane’s punches. He’d only been at it for ten minutes, but his taped and gloved fists were aching already. Getting soft. Shane vented his frustration on the workout bag with a punch-elbow-kick combination. The rattle of the bag’s chains was satisfying, as was the leather/rubber/sweat scent of [...]

Ashlynn’s ear-piercing shriek startled Shane awake. His heart pounded as he glanced at the clock on Addison’s nightstand. Its glowing green letters read 6:14. “I don’t wanna have oatmeal!” the pint-sized banshee wailed. Her soprano sliced through the walls and closed door between Shane and the kitchen. “I want pancakes!” Addison’s alto, although muffled, carried [...]

An almost deja vu washed over Addison as she entered the brightly lit foyer of Daniel’s quarters. A few months ago she’d all but lived there. Now, with her baby boy asleep in his sling, the elegant decor felt austere, and the beginning of an old poem echoed in her mind: “‘Will you walk into [...]

Jacob wouldn’t stop crying. After a mostly sleepless night, Shane was nearly in tears himself. He continued pacing across Addison’s living room with Jacob in his arms. Normally a few minutes of walking after a feeding lulled his son to sleep. Shane had been at it for forty minutes. Although Jake’s cries had waned a [...]

Green flames leaped from the plush carpet of Chairman Carlyle’s office. Giovanni studied the small, heatless fire between him and his Matron. Despite being one of the senior witches at Triptych, Gio had never seen this particular spell before. The unearthly flames combined Mind, Light, and a bit of Matter. The latter was particularly intriguing. [...]

Shane took another bite of the pasta primavera Svetlana had prepared. Or maybe Addison had. Whoever had cooked dinner, they’d done a good job. If Ashlynn ever stopped talking, he’d say so. “–a lot like here, on the outside,” Ashlynn prattled, “but there are birds everywhere! Some have blue feet, and–” “Ashlynn, dear,” Svetlana gently [...]