Sunday Snippet: Jigsaw Pieces

I'm still working on getting my side project ready to go. At this point, I have no idea how long it will last but I'm going to go like gangbusters until I can't anymore.

Had a solid week of work. Finished up a copy edit and started a new one. Also worked on a developmental edit that's been simmering on the back burner. I have three projects lined up and I'm waiting on deposits to get rolling on those. Hopefully, December is going to be a steady month of work.

Had a very good week of viewing. I made it through my usual round of shows and started looking for a former fave to rewatch but it's not readily available. Might have to dig out my ripped DVDs and hunt around for one of my old players.

I caught two episodes of The Batman this week. No Justice League cameos in these two. Strictly Robin and Batgirl, which I enjoyed.

Also watched two episodes of Classic Rugrats. Both were single episodes instead of the standard two or three vignettes. Preschool and Halloween featured and were a lot of fun to watch.

Enjoyed another episode of Mr. and Mrs. Murder. I'd seen most of this one and liked it the first time around. Very fun to get some background on the detective.

Finished out the first season of London Kills with an episode-length behind the scenes look at the series. Lots of fun to see the actors talk about their characters and see how the showrunners also make the city of London a character.

Caught another episode of Death in Paradise. I liked the mystery in this one and enjoyed the crab cooking contest. Not completely sold on Marlon as the new police officer but I'll probably end up enjoying him.

Finished up the second half of Silent Witness and, boy, there were a lot of twists in this one. Really loved Jack declaring his love for Nikki at the end. So nice to see them have a happy moment.

Watched an episode of Elementary and rather enjoyed it. Of course, it ended on a cliffhanger, and I have no doubt Mycroft is involved in something nefarious. I truly hope involving Joan blows up in his face.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Jigsaw Pieces, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the miniblurb:

On a seemingly routine patrol, Nev Walter watched his partner and sometimes lover, Thea Chavis, burn in hellfire. Broken and unsure how to carry on, he dives back into work for the department of preternatural law enforcement where he runs a unit of officers. Unable to stop thinking about Thea, Nev takes a sharp turn for the worse when dreams of her invade his nights and memories linger during the day. When he starts seeing her in ethereal visions, he decides he's cracking up … but all isn't as it seems.

And a preview snippet…

Thea Chavis ducked through the arched gate leading to Thurston Woods. "I don't care what Nev says, this area needs a look." She stayed on the well-worn walking path and kept her eyes open.

Her partner in the department of preternatural law enforcement for the Greater Abernathy area, Nev Walter, would be pissed she ignored his warning. But … she didn't care at the moment. Because Nev also partnered with her off the job.

Usually.

She snorted. "Lately, not so much." Nev captained a team of eight and often played the role of mom, dad, and great confessor.

Sometimes all at once.

Stepping off the path, Thea entered a thicket of low bushes. The brambles and briars caught at her pantlegs, but she pushed through. Kind of how she clawed through the latest argument with Nev. He didn't want her patrolling alone.

Thea clicked her tongue against her teeth. "As if I'm incapable of staying aware and protected." Sometimes his lack of trust in her ability pissed her off.

Like tonight. The department had reports of fire flashes deep in the center of Thruston Woods. An extended drought made any kind of burning dangerous. The entire forest could go up in flames. The area needed to be checked out.

But Nev had other things to do. Like babysit two of their fellow officers that couldn't seem to keep their shit together. And he wanted Thea to cool her heels while he straightened out whatever issues Blaney and Morgan couldn't seem to handle themselves.

Thea rolled her eyes. "Maybe they should just spend a weekend together and get all that sexual tension out of the way." Worked for me and Nev.

Sort of.

Finally reaching a copse of dense trees, Thea weaved through the ancient timber, slowly working her way toward the center of the woodland area. Questions pinged in her mind. Were the flames from ritual fires? She could suggest an alternative place to conduct rites involving smoke, fire, or ashes.

Or … did something darker come into play here? Could someone be trying to damage the sacred woods? She couldn't wait for Nev to get it together long enough to check things out. Not if someone had evil intentions that could harm their protected glade.

The scent of burning wood hit first followed by orange and yellow crackling flares dancing in her line of vision. Crouching lower, she eased forward trying to stay aware of her surroundings. She wanted to catch whoever had lit the match by surprise.

Nev's voice echoed in her mind. No solitary patrols until we figure out what's going on.

She argued back under her breath. "We don't have the luxury of time if someone's out here lighting fires."

She should've been looking down instead of side to side. She crossed the salt barrier before she realized it. But she noticed it when she couldn't go further. Someone—or something—sealed the circle. Shoulders slumping, because she'd been trapped like a rookie fresh out of class, she ruthlessly shut out Nev's voice.

Then she slowly turned to face her captor, her eyes going wide with shock. "Well, damn. Kind of hoped and expected to never see you again."

But seeing them … explained a lot.

Just getting started on this story and I'm excited to see where it goes. The sages are chattering about Thea and Nev, which is always a good thing.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye