Trent started sniffing around slyly. This time he was convinced that his alter beast was right. He got a lock on her scent and he followed it. It was getting stronger by the fireplace. He looked around to make sure that no one was watching what he was going to do. The fireplace was an ancient one and wasn’t being used. Cautiously, Trent called in a low voice, “Hello? Is someone in there?”
He didn’t expect someone in the chimney to return his call. It was a woman’s voice and it was very familiar.
It was Arielle.
“Help!”
Jesus Christ. She really was in the chimney. “Arielle? Is that you?”
The garbled voice yelled back, “Superman, is that you? What are you doing here?”
“I believe that’s my line. What are you doing inside the chimney?”
“Oh, nothing. Just having a tea party with my friends. I’m stuck. What do you think I’m doing?”
Trent had a hard time not laughing. “I figured that much. How did you get stuck?”
“You know when you force something into a space that doesn’t really fit? That’s how you get stuck. Now help me out.”
“That sounds like an order; not a cry for help.”
“Please help me. I’m seriously stuck in here.”
“I don’t know. The last time I helped you, you called me a creep.”
“I’m sorry, Superman. I really do need your help.”
“You didn’t even bother to ask my name. And you’re pretty rude too.” Trent was having a ball.
“I’m sorry. But I’m obviously having a rotten day. Help me please. Pretty please?”
Trent had to tease her. He couldn’t resist. “Hmm. I’ll help you if you say, ‘O mighty and handsome Lord Trent, please help stupid me get out of the fireplace.”
“Did you just call me stupid?”
“A grown woman got stuck in a fireplace at a party. That’s self-explanatory.”
Arielle swore at him.
Fuck, she curses like a sailor, Trent mused. “Okay, then, I’ll be going if you—“
“Wait, don’t go!”
“Yes?”
Silence. And then, she said, “’O mighty and handsome Lord Brent, please help me get out of the fireplace.”
“You forgot ‘stupid me.’”
She cursed again before finally conceded. “Please Lord Brent, help stupid me out of the fireplace.”
“Trent. My name is Trent. Well, I guess it’s good enough.”
Trent looked around and caught John’s eye. His brother pulled himself from the conversation and stalked into his direction.
“What is going on?” John asked.
“She’s stuck in the chimney,” Trent explained.