I paused. Then it registered. “This is how you dealt with Curtis.” The first vision I had of how he’d died, a game of Russian roulette. “Fitting, I guess. Gets your rocks off, playing with luck and danger.” Another realization hit me.
He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off.
“You’re right. I don’t know if I can beat you in a straight-up fight, especially when you can twist luck. But if you want to do it this way, you’ll have to swear on your power you won’t manipulate here. Besides, if you do, never know when it can go all wrong, huh?”
Lucky frowned, glancing down at the gun, then back at me.
“What’s the matter? Not feeling as lucky as you claim to be?” I glanced at the kids in cages, clenching my jaw hard enough to make my gums ache. “I’ve gotten this far without a whit of luck, so maybe yours isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be if you need it? Can’t play fair? Or maybe the only way you have any luck to throw about is when you steal it from some kid? Doesn’t say much for you, does—”
One of his fists slammed into the table. “Enough. Fine, you want to die that badly? We’ll play it that way. I swear on my power that I won’t use an ounce of my luck till this is over and one of us is dead.” He narrowed his eyes in a look that made it clear he believed I’d be the one to bite it.
Say what you will about the paranormal, but they’ve got just as much hubris as any mortal. Sometimes more. And if you can dingthat, go for it. There’s a reason it’s a sin and a downfall of many. And I meant for it to be his.
By swearing on his power, he’d ensured he had no choice but to play fair. Violating that oath would cause a nasty magical or psychic backlash that could rob him of his powers, hurt him, or even turn them against him. It wasn’t much, but I’d leveled the playing field.
Now all I had to do was win.
In a game totally down to luck.
He raised the revolver, thumbing the cylinder open to show a single round inside. Lucky snapped it shut, slammed it back to the table, and spun it.
It rotated till its point faced me.Of course I’m first. Lucky me.
The leprechaun grinned, a maniacal light in his eyes.
I inhaled, raised the gun, and pulled.
Click.
Phew. I breathed out and put the gun back down, giving it a shove to send it spinning.
Lucky’s turn. He raised it to his head without hesitation, grinning, and then pulled the trigger.
Click.Nothing.
Of course it wouldn’t be that easy.
He spun the gun.
My turn. I brought it to my head, casting a sideways glance at my tattoo. Still said an hour, but how much of that had slipped away? Was I gambling away time? Did I have a chance to turn this around in a fight?
“Stop stalling and pull.”
I did.
Click.I slammed the gun back down and stared. “Your turn, Lucky.”
He bristled in his seat. Guess he didn’t have as much faith in his luck as he’d thought. He didn’t grab the gun, choosing to lean forward instead. “You can’t win.”
“Maybe. Won’t know till you pull. Go.” I held my stare.
He leaned back, giving me a nonchalant shrug that carried a hint of stiffness in it. “I’ve done this before.”
Poker face, huh? Two can play that game.“You have. But not against me. Pull.”
He grabbed the gun and aimed at me.
... oops? I should have seen that one coming.
