Page 12 of Play Dirty

“Trash panda’s been acting up all night,” Asher added.

“Trash panda?”

“Depends on the mood,” he said with a shrug. “Sometimes it’s floor goblin.”

“Sometimes it’s a liability,” Caleb muttered. “Remember that time Riley tripped over it, and ended up at the Urgent Care?”

Asher shook his head, with a scowl. “We don’t talk about that time. Remember?”

“Oh yeah.”

Sir-Cleans-a-Lot rolled directly into my other foot. I stepped over it, to give it room, and it continued on its course, undeterred.

“Careful,” Asher warned. “He’s armed.”

The little sword flopped lazily, at a point where the cardboard had been bent. Then my stomach rumbled, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten all day.

“Excuse me, gentlemen.”

They went back to watching television, and I headed into the kitchen. I set my bag down, popped open the fridge, and took a good, hard look.

The fridge, it turned out, was beyond full. Top to bottom, left to right, it was packed with containers, open boxes, and half-eaten takeout. There was a plate of dangerous mystery with aluminum foil slapped over it, the top peeled back just enough to let me know it had been there for weeks, not days.

I considered grabbing the milk and looking for some cereal, but even that couldn’t be trusted.

I closed it, and opened some cabinets instead.

“Looking for something?”

I didn’t turn. I kept on rummaging.

“Food,” I said.

There was a long pause.

“Yeah,” the voice said. “Good luck with that.”

I glanced over my shoulder. Dorian was leaning through the doorway, arms crossed, his expression neutral. I got the distinct feeling I was being judged.

I grabbed a water, and closed the fridge door.

“Got it.”

Leaning back against the counter, I twisted the cap off and took a long swig. If ever it was obvious I wasn’t a part of this, it was now.

Groceries, I thought to myself. Tomorrow.

Now half empty, the plastic bottle crinkled in my hand.

Early. Before they could—

A door slammed, somewhere behind the house. Not on the inside, though. On the outside.

Curious, I followed it. It came from the narrow hallway toward the back of the kitchen that I hadn’t explored yet. Halfway down, I heard laughter. Voices. More laughter, even louder than before.

Then a burst of steam rolled in, gathering around me like a cloud.

I blinked in confusion. A scent made it to my nostrils; something warm, something sharp. Like wood.