Page 29 of D'Vaire or Nothing
The round casino was situated so that it forced patrons to cross it to get almost anywhere in the resort. Once they were in the middle of it, Worth stepped to the side so he wasn’t in the main walkway and smiled at Oliver.
“What machines should we pick?”
“It’s your money, so you should get to select your slot machine.”
“You aren’t interested in joining me as I gamble away my hard-earned funds?”
Oliver shrugged. “I’m not sure yet. It depends on how quickly the machines devour your money.”
“Ah, so the pressure is on to find a machine that will treat me fairly,” Worth said, surveying his options. The entire room was bright with the vast array of slots, and Worth had to admit the casino was alluring despite his innate frugalness. “The machines with the little bonus games look the most fun.”
“What are the odds that you get to actually play the bonus games?”
“I doubt the casino advertises the odds.”
“Of course not, or everyone would run from here without wasting a cent.”
“Perhaps you should give up dealing in art and offer yourself to resorts like this one as a marketing genius,” Worth teased his pragmatic mate.
“I would be fired in an hour.”
With a chuckle, Worth narrowed his eyes as something caught his attention. “I doubt it would take an hour, my dear man. Come along, Owliver, I believe I have found the machine for me.”
“Lead on.”
Worth wove through machines and distinctly heard Blodwen’s cheer of triumph. The necromancer was at a craps table with her mate and the two sentinels once tied to their souls. Things were apparently going well if Blodwen’s glowing smile was any indication. Pleased at his beloved family enjoying themselves, Worth left them to their fun and stalked closer to his prey.
“Look at that,” Worth exclaimed. “Just as I suspected. Those Emperors had to put this in here on purpose.”
There was a small bank of machines featuring owls in the multiple lines of images, shapes, and numbers on the screen. Worth dropped onto a tall chair that could easily sit two. Like everything in the Council, especially the venues designed by thedragon Emperors, mates were prioritized so they didn’t have to be separated, even if it was for a spot of gambling.
“Owls. Let’s hope they’re feeling generous,” Oliver said.
“My owl is endlessly generous with me. Now, how does this contraption work?”
Worth tugged out his identification card that also served as a direct connection to his bank account. To his surprise, Oliver snagged it from his hand and tapped it on a sensor. Shock had Worth’s mouth dropping open as the machine automatically suggested he add a three-digit amount to act as credits.
“I was thinking of losing a few dollars, I didn’treallythink I’d be gambling away my hard-earned salary on a silly game,” Worth grumbled. It took him less than a second to find the button that allowed him to enter his own amount, which was significantly lower than what the machine wanted.
At his side, Oliver chuckled. “I suppose I shouldn’t get too comfortable; we won’t be here long.”
“Have faith. I trust owls. They won’t lead me astray. Or eat my money in a flash.”
“You have to play seventy-five credits as a minimum for each spin.”
“Why not call it cents? Foolish to try to convince me my money has suddenly morphed into credits.”
“Frivolous fun game, remember? No need to take on the gambling industry and complain about their tactics.”
“Right,” Worth said. He kissed Oliver for luck, then rested his free hand on the owl’s thigh. Sucking in a deep breath and consigning his money to the other side of the veil, he hit the spin button. The machine played music as the reels on the screen spun. To his delight, three of the owls lined up in a perfect row. “Look at that, I won!”
“Sixty credits. Your spin was for seventy-five. You won, but you still lost.”
“Frivolous fun game, remember?”
Oliver chuckled. “I’m sorry for shattering your illusions.”
“As you should be. Thankfully, I know you to be a gentleman who ensures I am never slighted. And I’m privately hoping the guilt will force you to love me until the bright Nevada sun rises from behind the mountains to fill our hotel room with light.”
