Page 7 of Obsession

“If the game is still on, then I’ll be there,” Morgan said. “Who else is coming?”

Fiona held up a hand and started ticking off names. “Me, Ariana, Volt, Kann, Vyk, Tivek, you all. The usual gang.”

Morgan’s smile widened. “Count me in.”

I was relieved I hadn’t heard Zav’s name in the list. I would be glad for a break from the Taori and my conflicted feelings about him. But I was glad Kann would be there. I needed to tell him our deal was off.

Chapter

Five

Britta

“What are you hiding?” Morgan peered at me over the top of her cards, her gaze probing.

I pressed a hand to my chest and gave her my most innocent look as I kept my cards close to my chest—literally. “Me? Hiding?”

She huffed out a breath. “I still don’t know your tell, but I suspect that you have good cards.”

She was wrong. My cards were shit, but instead of trying to hide any tells I might have, I’d made a point to exhibit a wide variety of sighs, frowns, and smiles as we’d played. I was so emotive that no one could tell if there was any truth hidden in the lies. Jess said it made her feel like she was playing with the Joker, but so far, I’d stayed in longer than I ever had before.

I swung my head to take in the staff dining room that glowed from the warmth of the wall sconces, their light dancing off thepolished black stone. A pile of cards lay in the middle of one of the polished wood tables and everyone’s half-empty glasses sat in front of them. Even though it was long after the last meal had been served, the room still held the aroma of salty, fried padwump and yeasty bread. Not that I could smell much anymore but the Noovian whiskey in front of me.

“I’m in.” Fiona said, from where she sat shoulder-to-shoulder with Commander Vyk, not that her shoulder reached his much broader one. He grunted in approval although he kept his eyes on his own cards.

Who would have thought the stern security chief could look so content? Or that our toughest instructor would melt into him like that? Not me, since I’d witnessed more than one stand-off between the two. But now they seemed truly happy, which made me smile. I still wanted to beat them both, but I was happy they were happy.

Across from them, Volten kept sneaking kisses to Ariana's temple between hands of cards, making her giggle and nudge him playfully.

Jess and Torq weren't any better. The massive Drexian practically pulled her into his lap every time she won a hand, which was often. Not that she seemed to mind. Our resident strategy expert had gone from being intimidated by the cocky Blade to being completely smitten.

Morgan caught my eye and made a gagging motion at all the coupled-up sweetness. I stifled a laugh and took another sip of whiskey, the bite of the alien liquor almost making me choke as it burned my throat.

"I raise," Torq said, sliding credits into the pot.

Jess peered at her cards. “This may not be my best strategy, but so do I.”

“Too rich for my blood.” Ariana tossed down her cards, before twisting to look at Volten. "How many first-years do you think will make it into Flight this year?"

Volten grinned. "All the arrogant ones, of course."

"Then there won't be any left for Battle," she teased, shooting a grin at Kann.

The Drexian clutched his chest in mock outrage. "You wound me, Wing." But his eyes sparkled with humor as he laughed along. "I'll have you know that Blades are the picture of humility."

I snorted into my drink, earning a playful glare from him that made my cheeks warm.

"Sure, you are," Morgan said, as she studied her hand. "That's why you're all so quiet and understated."

"Speaking of Battle," Volten glanced up from his hand, "how's the ancient challenge coming along?"

Kann's eyes met mine briefly before he looked away. "Still working on the simulation with Zav. Need to make sure it's safe before we test it properly."

Torq puffed out his chest. “And I’ll be helping test it.”

“Wait.” Jess sat up. “Is this dangerous? An ancient challenge seems like something I should be worried about.”

“Zav will make sure it’s safe.”

---