She fell under his power like the moon
Setting each night in submission to light.
Breaker had lain with the real moon herself
Suravani had loved him less fiercely
Than the tiny redhead he now embraced.

“I died without your kisses,” Breaker said,
“A little more every day and each night.”

He swept her off her feet and carried her
Past piles of broken furniture to bed.
He laid her down and wrapped her in his arms,
Indulging in her tastes and her textures.

They breathed as one and then fell in pleasure,
Asleep upon the looming cheek of night.



A sound roused Breaker from a deep slumber.
He’d dreamed of Am’aleh in the ocean.
Boots scuffled over the hard kitchen floor.
Three pairs of boots for three men who would die.
Looters who chose the wrong house to invade.

Josh rose from bed like a specter of doom
“Stay here,” he said to Kinley’s soft murmur.
He left his metal boots beneath the bed
And padded toward the whispered voices
As the burglars inspected the kitchen.

“Leave this place,” he said, “the Faith United
Offers protection to this house and us.
Harm shall fall on those who prey on others.”

They came at him together with blades drawn.
He struck each before they could even think.
They fell in rough unison like shadows
Beneath the sun as it strikes highest noon.

“It is safe now, Kinley.” Josh called to her.
He stooped to carry the bodies outside.
One by one he hefted them to a ditch.
“I will fix the damages to your house.”
He said when he returned from the foul deed.
“And then I hunt two kenkus to the death.”