“The world had better be ending early, Daniella,” Gwen said sharply, answering her ringing phone. “Because I was about to absolutely obliterate my highest score in this game.”

It was not Daniella at the other end of the line. “I am grieved to interrupt your obliteration!” Trey hollered as if he was trying to shout across the distance between them. “I have an emergency and desperately require your assistance!” A dog was barking frantically in the background.

Gwen pinched the bridge of her nose. “It’s a phone, Trey. You don’t have to yell.”

“Yes, lady warrior,” Trey whispered. “But please come swiftly.”

“Is anything on fire? Did you shift into a dragon in front of the neighbors?” Gwen set aside her keyboard and searched for her shoes. “Where is Daniella? Shouldn’t she be keeping you out of trouble?”

“She is laboring at the place of coffee and sandwiches,” Trey boomed again. He handled video calls better, where he could physically see people. “I have put the fire out and ah, silenced the loud ceiling circle. I did not feel that being a dragon would help in this situation.”

“No, it probably wouldn’t,” Gwen agreed. “Okay, it will take me about ten minutes to get there. Try not to touch anything.”

* * *

This anthology collects the short stories: Paper Hearts, Burnt Offerings, Marshmallows, Stray, Safe, and Chosen! These stories are also included in the complete series collection in the suggested listening order.