Havok Publishing

Archive - February 2025

Mischief Makers

I stared at the exclusive condo tower where my carefully selected target was located. If I pulled off the heist, I could follow in the footsteps of my hero. The trick was avoiding cameras and witnesses.
Good thing I had special talents.
“What’s your plan, Kytt?” asked Adelky, his pointed ears twitching.

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Birds Of A Feather

“Champagne.” The steward places my order on the tray table. “Is there anything else I can get you before takeoff, Miss Windthorn?”
“Chocolate.” I give him a winning, closed-lipped smile.
“Of course, Miss Windthorn.”
Lifting my flute high, I whisper toward the window, “Harrison, may you rot.”
I’m determined to enjoy every possible convenience

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Super Gus Sticks to the Plan

Sixteen floors up the sheer glass face of Pitfall Industries’ main tower, I cling to Sticky Kitten’s back as she climbs. Suction fluid seeps through the sapphire Spandex of her skin-tight super suit, adhering me to her and her forearms and shins to the building. My purple cape snaps in the wind against

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Two Minutes

He came in every day for almost a week, at ten to four in the afternoon, stood in line for a coffee—medium, hazelnut syrup, almond milk—then stayed just long enough to take a sip or two. Gave his name as Sam. Smiled at me each visit.
I melted the first time

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A Witness with Wings

Stories filled the living room as Kytt’s parents and friends discussed their experiences during World War II. Parachuting into enemy territory, storming beachheads, firing artillery shells—memories punctuated by coughs from Ruby the parrot, who hated cigarette smoke. Kytt scribbled as fast as she could every bit of conversation in her notebook.

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Something in Common with a Dragon

“Well, well, what do we have here?”
The raspy dragon voice nearly makes me jump. Galaspian. As it happens, I knock over a golden goblet overflowing with sparkling jewels, which rolls down the cave floor, disappearing into a chasm far below.
Pull yourself together, Kytt.
The dragon blinks. “Not jussst a bad thief,

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Getaway Driver

Ingrid drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. Her eyes followed the steady to and fro of the windshield wipers as they cleared rain from the glass. This would be her final customer before she went home for the night. One more customer, and then she could heat up a frozen pizza and pretend

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Lucky Lendur and the Black Cat Caper

Before his world flip-flopped, Lachlan Lendur was having a pretty good day.
He delivered a cacophonous shuttle-load of House Azure design assistants and their paraphernalia to the Jade Fashion Expo. He flew toward home in blissful quiet along Azure’s sunny coastline. He watched cat vids. Then the shuttle ruined his morning by rolling belly-up.

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Tripod

I shielded my glasses from the drizzle and speed-walked down the street. Neon lights reflected on the slick concrete. Swirls of pink, green, and blue shuddered as my boots splashed through the puddles. I slipped my hand into my pocket and fingered my wallet.
The wealthy could afford to “misplace” money for a

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Killer In the Neitherness

People think we hide in the shadows, but they’re wrong. This is the space between light and dark. The Enemy said dark is light to him, but this is neither and no one reigns here.
I peered through the gossamer layer of light into the room, where the body lay, to watch chaos unfold.

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Just an Apple

Just one more step. Now nudge your glasses up to appear casual. Smile, and reach behind you…
“Oy! What are you doing, girl?”
Now run.
I tighten my fingers around the apple before darting from the stand, almost running into another seller while I do so. Why do I always have to make

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The Known-Name Killer

“Celia Downing was one gutsy lady,” my partner told our suspect. “The 9-1-1 operator asked who’d attacked her. Her last word was, ‘Kytt.’” Ed pointed at Kytt Windthorn’s childlike face.
Windthorn folded her arms. Her right eye was the same shade of blue as the interrogation room’s walls; her left, the same avocado green

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