Tricky Traps & Naughty Patched ✦ Direct

He took a step toward the armchair.

“Don’t,” Morgause said. “The remote is glued to a pressure plate. Pick it up, and a swinging log disguised as a throw pillow will launch from the sofa and knock you into a net in the ceiling.” tricky traps & naughty

“What about the cookies?” he asked.

“Twenty-two. And I just caught you.” Finn extended a hand. “Now you have two choices. I let you out, and you go home and think about your life. Or I leave you here and let Morgause give you the lecture about the four types of naughtiness. She has slides.” He took a step toward the armchair

Finn smiled. Rent was safe. And somewhere in the manor, a bell rang—someone else had tripped a trap. Pick it up, and a swinging log disguised

Finn thought for a moment. He’d grown up poor and inventive. His specialty was the long game.

“Gluten-free and laced with a mild hallucinogen. You’ll think the sofa is singing show tunes. It’s not. The sofa is mute. But you’ll flail, and the floor will tilt, and you’ll slide into the chimney, which is actually a chute to the holding cellar.”