Page 100 of Xantera
Flush,” Claudia says, grinning.
Eyeing both of their cards now face-up, I see she indeed has all hearts and Tristan has a sad pair of threes.
I chuckle, and Tristan jerks his head back with a smirk.
“You lost just as bad,” he teases me.
“It was my first game,” I say, blinking innocently.
Claudia sits back against the sofa, relishing in her winning hand. “Time to collect.”
One by one, the men rise to their feet and sit beside her. Her eyes stay trained on my face, making me shift uncomfortably in my seat, as they each whisper in her ear.
What did you put up?Lucan asks me hesitantly.
Well, my clothes at first. But they were betting with secrets.
Lucan snaps histeeth.I’m late by twenty goddamn minutes and you find yourself in the middle of a strip poker game. Great.
I fold my lips into my smile, just a little too happy to keep it off my face.You’re cute when you’re angry.
If you could actually see me, he growls,you wouldn’t think so.
My thoughts convey that I very much doubt it. In fact, I think it’d be even sexier—amber eyes and a hulking monstrous form stalking over me, making me obey. What else is there to dream about now that all hope is gone?
After Tristan returns to his chair, Claudia levels me with a stare. “Well?”
Glancing down at my cleavage, I joke, “Do you want my dress or…”
She huffs. “This girl’s got nothing. Tristan, next time you need to consult us before inviting someone to play. This isn’t social hour for your dates.”
“I have secrets,” I insist, raising my chin as I rise and walk around the table before I mumble, “Along with a sense of humor.”
Saskia…Lucan warns. But if I understand correctly, a bet is a bet. You don’t go back on one.
Claudia tracks my movements, watching me settle next to her, and she doesn’t back away when I lean in closely.
I don’t know the quality of the other’s secrets, or if mine are even relative, but they’re all I have.
“I snuck into the north wing,” I whisper in her ear so that the others can’t hear. “And we’re all turning to stone.”
Claudia tenses. For a moment, she pulls away from me, blinking into my face while the others watch on uncertainly. Then she lets out a harsh laugh. “You’re lying.”
“I’m not,” I say, sitting back.
“You figured that all out in a week?”
I throw my hands up. “It’s not my fault if you don’t pay attention.”
“I pay attention,” Tristan interjects, jokingly placing a hand over his heart like I’ve wounded his ego.
I’m quick to roll my eyes, no longer worried about who might be offended by what. “You’re theworst,”I quip. “All those people lying in bed all day sleeping. Right.”
“What people?” Geo asks.
I shake my head. Fuck it. They can all know my secret. It pertains to their own futures anyway, and whether I trust them or not has no relevance. Death is inevitable. “The people turning to stone.”
They blink back at me before all five of them bark out laughs. I just blink back, exasperated, until only Claudia’s chortle dies.
