Page 13 of Champion of Cards

“It’s a lot,” Kingsnake said. “He wanted to compete in the Champion of Cards tournament, but their humans-only policy is pretty strict, and Father wouldn’t change it. He’s human for a week.”

“Wow,” Viper said. “You’re definitely going to get laid.”

“You mean what Kingsnake and Larisa do every night?” I asked.

“Yep,” Viper said with a grin. “I know snakes only hook up to mate, but humans and vampires do it for fun.” He winked at me. “You’re in for a treat.” He clapped me on the shoulder before he walked away. “I’ll look after Grayson while you’re gone. Hope you win, Fang.”

“Oh, I will…”

* * *

We rode to the Kingdoms, taking the underground passage and then moving past Raventower. I rode my own horse this time, much more comfortable with my body and the way it moved. If I added my weight to Larisa’s or Kingsnake’s, the horse would move much slower, and it would take longer to reach the Kingdoms.

We finally approached the stables and handed over our steeds. We entered the city, sunset on the horizon, the sky a mixture of colors. The tournament was the following night, and we had to register before the match, so we walked to the pub where it was being held.

Once we walked inside, I saw all the plaques on the wall, the names of the winners in the previous years. Some names were repeats. One name in particular came up repeatedly. Drake. I recognized his name.

Kingsnake came to my side and looked at the wall. “It would be nice to see your name on that wall.”

“Oh, you will.” I turned and walked across the room to the table situated there, the banner for the tournament pinned to the wall above it. There was a man and a couple of women, and a sheet on the table where sign-ups were taking place. When I approached, they all looked up at me and stilled. “I want to play.”

The man hesitated before he pushed the sheet toward me and handed me the quill.

I scanned the names already there, seeing Drake’s name at the very top because he was the first to sign up. I grabbed the quill and steadied it against the paper, doing exactly as Larisa had taught me. I scribbled my name across the cream-colored paper.

The women continued to stare at me, exchanging looks among themselves before looking at me again.

“Fang.” The man read the name aloud. “Interesting name…”

“If we faced each other in battle, it wouldn’t be that interesting.” With the change of my voice, everything I said was far more terrifying than it sounded in my head. Everything sounded like a threat—even when it wasn’t one.

“Of course.” He set the paper down again and cleared his throat. “The entry fee is fifty gold.”

I hadn’t foreseen this caveat. Money wasn’t a part of my life, so I never paid attention to it. Kingsssnake, I need money.

How much?

Fifty gold.

Kingsnake came to my side and tossed a pouch of gold coins on the table. “Better pay me back.”

“You can have my winnings,” I said. “I just want the Golden Card.”

“Deal.” We walked away from the table and returned to the wall with the plaques.

“There’s an inn across the street,” Larisa said. “I just booked two rooms.”

“Why two rooms?” I asked, eyebrows raised.

Kingsnake gave a slight smirk. “It was different when you were a snake, but I don’t want a grown man to watch me fuck my wife.”

“Let’s get some wine,” Larisa said. “You’re probably hungry, Fang.”

My stomach ached all the time now. I used to eat once a week, but now I was hungry five times a day. “Yes.”

We crossed the street and entered the inn, which had a pub downstairs. We grabbed a table in the corner and took a seat. I’d never been in a place like this, so I stared at the people who sat at the bar, looking at the bowl of peanuts on every table. My eyes locked on a woman behind the bar, and her eyes locked on mine. I expected her to back down and look away like typical prey, but she didn’t.

She walked over, wearing a low-cut shirt that showed the crease between her breasts. Her eyes were still on me, nearly ignoring Larisa and Kingsnake altogether. “Never seen you around here before.”

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