Page 59 of Death of the Glass Angel
“And it hurts to bend over already.” Dinu rubbed his back.
“Tell me about it.” Felsin leaned back, draping an arm over Janus’ seat.
Avalon had snickered to herself, pushing Felsin’s seat beside Janus’. The poor girl turned three shades of crimson every time their sleeves brushed against each other. Janus’ eyes pivoted to Felsin’s arm, and heat flushed her face.
Clearing her throat, Janus stared at the table. “How old are you?’
“Twenty-six,” Felsin said.
“You’re cefran.” Avalon hissed. “You have well over a century left. Stuff your complaints.”
“I’m old-souled,” Felsin said, throwing his cards on the table. “I’ll pass on the next rounds. Lady luck’s avoiding me tonight.”
“Oh, please.” Avalon encouraged him. “I’ll gladly take your coin.”
“A true man.” Brand snatched his brother’s cards. “Doesn’t need lady luck.”
Janus leaned over, studying Talon’s hand. She had opted to partner with him, though her help had been, well, worthless so far. At least she seemed to be having a good time. “Are we winning?”
“This hand’s not bad,” Talon whispered back, eyeing the coin pile as he considered his strategy.
“Besides,” Paulus shifted his cards around. “I hear Avalon helped search for the missing assassin. Such bravery and honor are commendable traits in a potential partner. You, on the other hand,” He glanced at Dinu, “Weren’t even on the hunt.”
“True,” Dinu admitted. “But, neither were you.”
“I can’t deny that,” Paulus muttered, setting down his cards. “But perhaps more interesting are those who were nearby.”
“Those who were on the mountain,” Brand looked over his cards, “Were attacked, too.” He spread them across the table, glancing at Janus.
An expression of pain flashed across Dinu’s face as hands were tallied. Talon’s cards far outstripped theirs, and he snickered as he gathered them up. “Are you going back in?”
“Cinders, no.” Dinu leaned back with his drink. “I need to stay away from gambling.”
“I’ll pass,” Paulus added, settling back in his chair with a glass of wine.
Talon pulled a new hand and let Janus sort through the cards. No longer in the running, Felsin leaned over, blatantly looking over Avalon’s shoulder, who pulled her cards from his line of sight.
“You’re taking this entirely too seriously, Avalon,” Felsin said.
“I want to win. What’s wrong with that?” She retorted, throwing her cards on the table.
Talon and Valkyrie laid their hands down, and even Janus could tell Valkyrie had easily won.
“Ugh.” Avalon pushed her cards away and leaned back. “You ruined me, Felsin.”
“And how did you arrive at that conclusion?”
Valkyrie watched Talon expectantly, and he shrugged and threw more coins into the pile. No harm in a little contest between old friends.
Dinu groaned as he stretched his shoulders. “Hey, Janus. Has Felsin told your fortune yet?”
“You all just find that so amusing, don’t you?” Felsin murmured.
Sitting forward, Talon spread his hand across the table and shot Valkyrie a triumphant grin. Felsin leaned forward, eager to see who had won.
A mischievous glint flashed in Valkyrie’s eyes before her cards hit the table, and Talon’s heart sank. Another perfect hand. Had she been cheating? The little shrew. . .
Valkyrie smirked as she leaned back. “Looks like I won.”
