Falling for Fangs

“If I had realised how lovely this house was, I would have bought it!” Charles declared, looking around the library in admiration. “Although it’s a longer walk from the pub than I’d like.”

“Definitely a disadvantage for you, Charles,” Sean said drily, nudging his friend.

“I’m glad you like it,” Maxwell said. “Does anyone need another drink?”

“I do,” grunted Tobias. He was thoroughly human and, as Maxwell understood, a local farmer. “A big one.”

“Coming right up,” Maxwell made for the kitchen. Based on Charles’ information, they were waiting on just one more player before they could get started. A fae by the name of Tamara. Maxwell hadn’t ever heard of the fair folk playing poker, but he supposed there was a first time for everything. Especially in Crowley Lake.

Maxwell had a six-pack of beer under one arm and a bottle of champagne in each hand when a knock came on the door.

“It’s open!” he called. The door opened, and he caught the woman’s scent before he saw her. Yep, definitely fae.

“Hello, Maxwell Davidson,” the woman said. Maxwell saw that she had dark hair, held up in intricate braids to cover what must be pointed ears. Definitely fae, although they didn’t tend to wear yoga pants and high-topped sneakers. “I am Tamara. I believe that Charles advised you of my coming.”

“Hi,” he said, waving his hands to show they were full. “Come on in; we’ll get started soon!”

“I thank you for your hospitality,” Tamara said, blinking her enormous dark eyes. “I have brought refreshments.” To Maxwell’s utter astonishment, Tamara held up a plastic bucket of pre-packed butterscotch and Bailey’s flavoured liqueur shots.

“Wow,” he said, trying to cover his surprise. “Those will definitely get the party started.”

Suddenly, Tamara was standing very close to him. “You are under a dark influence, Maxwell Davidson,” she tilted her head. “I can see it.”

“Uh…” Maxwell began. He wasn’t terribly experienced with fae, and Tamara was disconcerting. “Just a little curse,” he said. “I’m getting it sorted out; it’s no big deal.”

“I see,” Tamara said, nodding. “You sorely angered the one who cast it. A scorned lover, I think.”

Maxwell gripped the bottles of champagne very tightly. “It’s complicated,” he said. “Let’s start the game, eh?”

Tamara nodded. “I have anticipated this night with joy,” she said with a smile, as though she hadn’t just been peeking at his soul.

Setting down the bottles, Maxwell poured himself a whiskey from the decanter on top of the mantlepiece. Tamara was just plain unsettling.

“Can we get started?” Tobias was already seated at the table and was drumming his hands on the glossy wood. “Charles said the buy-in was a twenty. Is that all? No one wants to go higher?”

“Let’s start with twenty,” Maxwell said carefully. “This is just for fun, really.”

“It’s not much fun with that kind of buy-in,” Tobias grumbled, but he pulled a note from his wallet just the same.

Charles and Sean sat down next to Tobias, while Anna – a wolf shifter – and her very much human friend were on the other side. That left Tamara sitting next to Maxwell himself, which wasn’t his preference, but he wouldn’t be impolite enough to suggest a change in the seating arrangements.

“Everyone familiar with Texas Hold’Em?” Maxwell asked, picking up the deck and shuffling the cards. He couldn’t resist throwing in a few riffles, much to the table’s delight.

“I have never played,” Tamara declared at his elbow. “But I have familiarised myself with the rules. As I am to your left, I am responsible for posting the small blind.”

“That’s right,” Maxwell said. “And then Charles, you’re the big blind.”

“Excellent,” Charles rubbed his hands together. “Get ready to lose, Tamara! None of that beginner’s luck here!”

“Oh, I think I shall be quite successful at this game,” Tamara said mildly. Maxwell was inclined to agree; if poker was a game of reading the other players, she would be the one to beat. “Would anyone like a Cock-Sucking Cowboy?” She held up the bucket of shots.

Maxwell turned his laugh into a cough at the astonished face of Sean. Clearly, Sean was unfamiliar with Tamara’s tipple of choice.

“Don’t get excited, Sean; it’s just a drink,” Charles teased, grinning. “Not for me, thanks, Tamara. They’re ghastly.”

“All the more for me, then,” Tamara looked serene as she opened the container and lined up three of the shots in a row.

“Are we getting started?” Tobias resumed his drumming on the table.

“Sure,” Maxwell said with a slight frown. “Let’s play.”