Devilish Game (Shadow Guild: The Rebel 4)

“Very. Even without my gift.”

“Then I’ll stake you.”

Her brows rose. “Really?”

“Really. I play, but not expertly. I’ve never had much interest. It will help our chances if both of us play.”

“What if we lose?”

“Then we get clever and sneak in.”

“I thought you said that was deadly.”

“Exactly. So we should win.”

She grimaced. “Well, we have a good plan, and I’m good at poker. Better when I can use my magic, but still good.”

“That’s where this comes in.” I removed one of two small charms from my pocket and palmed it, then held her hand as if we were on a date. A streak of heat ran up my arm, and I couldn’t imagine never touching her again.

Her hand tightened, closing around the sphere.

“Keep it out of sight,” I murmured near her ear. “When you need to use your power, hold it to the underside of the table. It will adhere and break the spell that prevents you from using your magic.”

She nodded. “Thanks.”

“Come on, I’ll get us chips and a seat at a table.”

She tucked her hand into my arm, and we walked across the casino. It was impossible not to feel the eyes of envious men—she was the most gorgeous woman in the room.

For tonight—and tonight only—she was mine. It might be just an illusion now that our bond was broken, but I didn’t care.

6

Carrow

As Grey led me across the casino floor, the crowds parted to let us pass. I briefly allowed myself to imagine what it would be like if we were a couple.

A frisson of anxiety shot up my spine.

It was such a strange thought. Our bond was broken, and though I still felt something for him, without the bond to tie us together, it felt crazy. I’d known him such a short time, and he was such a bad idea.

He was a literal magical crime boss, the most feared man in Guild City and, also, the most dangerous. Everything about him should drive me away. A lot of things about him scared me, and without the bond to dull those feelings and draw me to him, I was able to actually feel that fright.

And yet, I still wanted him.

How could I not, when he acted and looked the way he did? Not only did he look like a fallen angel recently thawed from an icy sleep, he was always putting himself between me and danger.

I shook the thoughts away and focused on scouting out the casino. The exits were well-marked but also well-guarded. If there was a fire, we could all get out. Short of that, it looked like the bouncers would stop anyone from leaving without permission. They stood with their arms crossed and scowls on their faces, big bodies blocking the doors.

It didn’t take long for Grey to arrange for chips and a spot at one of the top tables. The amount he’d requested made my head spin.

He handed me the chips and murmured, “My status might not get us an invite into Anton’s meritocracy room, but we’ve got a seat at the next best thing. If we win enough at this table and, therefore, prove our skill, we’ll be invited to Anton’s private game next.”

I took the stack of chips. “I’ve got this.”

He smiled and nodded. “I believe it.”

Grey and I joined the four other players at the table, and I carefully sized up my opponents. The skills I’d learned in interrogation training came in handy when playing poker. The many hours I’d spent playing with my colleagues were even more useful.