Book Two: Chapter 11

“Who did?” Beth put out an arm, helping Mike to the wall.

“The rat king.” MIke sneezed, a cloud of dust leaving the top of his head and revealing the brown hair beneath. “Little bastard informed us that this home belonged to him, and then he pulled an actual cord which opened a trap door beneath us.”

“Sounds like diplomacy failed then.”

Mike laughed, then coughed. “Yeah. I told them they were welcome to stay, but apparently that isn’t good enough. Little fucker is giving us a week to clear out before he makes us leave. Little shit.”

Beth fought the grin behind her lips. “Did he have a crown?”

“Really? That’s what you want to ask?” Mike coughed, then sneezed, another cloud of dust floating away from his hair. After several seconds, his lips curled into a smile. “Yeah. I don’t know, maybe they found a soda can or something and chewed it into shape.”

“So what next?”

“Smash them all.” Tink had reclaimed her hammer, her eyes on the hole in the ce