Page 21 of Darkness Colliding
Chapter Eleven
A Dare
Nollix
To be honest, I’ve never seen a Demon drunk either. It’s going better than I expected. It’s taken a lot, and Cameron’s lucky he has a game that he’s apparently very good at, or he’d be in real trouble right now.
Once again, Sev curses, his fist striking hard against the weak coffee table when Cameron lays down a red card instead of a black. It’s either the tenth or eleventh time the Demon’s gotten the card wrong. We’ve been here for hours. They went around the table once. Cameron guessed the cards with ease, probably basing his answers off of the cards that were laid down before his, but he didn’t fuck up once. Vi was hesitant, she gave her answers with Link mumbling guesses under his breath the hole time to help her.
And now we’re watching Sev drink himself into oblivion because he can’t seem to guess five high cards, low cards, red and black cards in a row.
It’s amusing, but also miserable to watch.
Cameron flips the card and looks up expectantly only to find the Demon with his forehead against the table. Quiet snores drift from his lips. He has drunk half of whatever the hell’s in that bottle. This is apparently his breaking point.
“I guess it’s your turn.” The Warlock looks to Vi.
She peers down at the seven of clubs. The whole deck has already been gone through once. Based on what’s been played recently, she could have a good guess.
“Um, higher.”
“Red,” I say, trying to force her to choose right. My head tilts at the Warlock in front of me as he passes me a challenging look.
“Are you playing, or are you trying to coach? Because there’s no coaching in High Card, Low Card, Red and Black.” Cameron rattles off these facts like he’s the Head Founder and leading expert of High Card, Lower Card, Red and Black.
My brow arches. Slowly, I lean forward. It suddenly feels like a dare. It’s like there’s something to be won here, but I’m not sure what it is.
“Then I guess I’m playing.”
He turns the card slowly. A three of diamonds is set down neatly next to my first card. Two down. Three to go. And some sort of victory is about to be won.
“Higher.” I try to force the words out quickly with little thought.
Ten of clubs.
“Lower.”
Six of hearts.
Shit, I blink down at that taunting little middle number. My line is made of up a mixture of red and black. I cock a brow at the dubious bottle of liquor.
No way in fuck am I drinking Demon alcohol.
“Lower.” My jaw clenches shut as I prepare for whatever card the High Card, Low Card, Red and Black master is about to serve to me.
He flips.
I hang on his every move.
Neatly, he presses a five of clubs in line with my other cards.
And that’s what winning feels like.
A smirk pulls at my lips, and I settle back into the worn cushion. I won’t admit how much tension leaves my body just because I guessed a fucking card right.
“Good job, Cupcake.” He looks to Vi as he gets the cards ready.
“Wait, doesn’t the dealer usually drink if someone wins?” I cock a brow at the Warlock. He stares at me with an expressionless look that I know is hiding his real thoughts right now.
