“Split into groups as discussed,” Archan instructs. “You spot anything, shout via telepathy.”
Emi, Aaden, and Nathan head left, whilst Lucifer, Zee, and Zac turn right; leaving myself, Archan, and Jed to push on forwards.
We round the dead-eyed patrons at the slot machines, my frown burrowing deeper as I watch them shed their hard earned cash for the tiny chance of winning. “How sure are we about the location?” I ask.
Jed side eyes me. “Ninety-nine percent sure the portal is open somewhere in this hotel. We suspect the lower level in the club, but we want to stagger our approach, scope out the casino to see what beasties have spilled out.”
“And what damage they have already caused,” Archan adds.
“Is it normal for them to look like—” I struggle to find the right word.
“Zombies?” Jed asks with a chuckle.
“Don’t remind me. Lulu owes me after that one. He promised.”
“You take the devil at his word and you get what you deserve,” Archan declares as we sink deeper into the casino and leave behind the dead-eyed humans in favor of the tables surrounded by a more glamorous clientele. Their eyes are the opposite; eager, hopeful, nervous—it’s the contrast between night and day.
I spot a woman draped over the shoulders of a man. Their backs are to us, but I recognize them both. She turns in that moment and locks eyes with me, a tiny smirk lighting up her face.
“Two o’clock, Lawrence and The Duchess.”
Archan and Jed narrow their gaze on her. She winks at them, then turns to whisper in Lawrence’s ear. His shoulders stiffen.
“Either of you good at Texas Hold ‘Em?” I ask as we draw closer to their table. We were facing two foes which none of our little trio could murder.
I glance at Archan, who shakes his head, then snap my eyes to Jed. He presses his lips into a thin line. “Seems you really are my arm candy this evening,” I affirm as we reach the table.
I drop their arms and round the traditional green felt lined table. Lawrence draws the chips in the center close to him, a smirk playing on the human disguise he wears. In reality, he’s a monstrous creature who’s set his sights on the throne in Hell.
He raises his head, locking gazes with Archan. “Are you joining us?” he drawls.
“That would be me,” I say, sliding into the chair opposite Lawrence.
His lip twitches. “Of course, sweet Iris, I will take it easy on you.” Sexist asshole, probably thinks women can’t bluff. He’s missing a vital point though; women are expert bluffers in everyday life. Men play at it when they feel the need to.
Archan waves his hand and someone comes over with a card machine. They swipe it and hand him a large amount of chips. I quirk a brow at him as he places them in front of me and the man in a white shirt and black waistcoat deals me in. I squint at his gold name tag, Robert.
The Duchess eyeballs Archan like he’s something she could snack on. I shoot her a glare and try projecting my thoughts at her.“Keep your grubby little evil goddess eyes off my man. If Zeus or Lawrence isn’t a good lay, I can set your psychotic ass up in the local prison. They don’t care what skanky ass is in front of them so long as it’s a tight warm wet hole.”Jed snorts a laugh and tries to smother it behind his hand. She jerks her head my way, her lip curled in a sneer as I carry on.“Then again, you have been around a millennium. Is looseness and dryness an issue for an older goddess?”I ask with a tilt of my head as I study my cards.
“Watch your mouth, Pandora, respect your elders. There is a hierarchy amongst us gods, and you are at the bottom of the pile.”She directs her gaze at the mark on my wrist.“How does it feel to have the power ripped out from you, your eternal fairytale romance reduced to a speck of time? What are you, thirty? Your beauty already fades and along with it, his attention. I can out wait you. When you are dust and bone, I will be wrapped around your man.”
I play the game whilst mentally sparring with The Duchess.“Is it painful yet?”she asks, running her tongue up the side of Lawrence’s neck.
Archan stiffens behind me as I lock eyes with the bitch.“I’ve felt worse.”
I play another card, cataloguing Lawrence’s tell as he rubs his thumb against his finger.“Ah, yes, when you slaughtered my mate inside your mortal body. Compared to what is coming for you, that will seem like child’s play.”
“We both know what is coming for me,”I say, narrowing my eyes on her. She studies me for a minute, the gleam in her eye confirming what I already know. This curse goes a step further than making me mortal. It will, in the end, be my mortal body’s eventual demise.“You’re hardly the grieving widow. You wasted no time in shacking up with the first evil spawn.”
Lawrence slams his hands down on the table as I win the game. “I want another game,” he states as Jed whoops from behind me.
“I’ll give you another game if you close the portal,” I demand..
Lawrence sighs. “Not my circus, not my monkeys.”
“They linked the portal to Violence, of course it’s your freak show.”
He grins, a hint of fang on show, reminding me this gentleman persona of his is a lie. “Think bigger, Natia.”
