Sorceress, Interrupted - By A. J. Menden Page 0,10
were simply Joseph, London, Howard and Dylan to me. Not that it mattered. It wasn’t like we were going to be mailing each other Christmas cards.
“Get lost, will you?” London said. “We’re playing a game here, and some of us at the table aren’t interested in looking down your dress, if that’s what you call that thing you’re wearing.”
Her tone was snarky but there was respect underneath, otherwise I would have given her the boot. I did a little spin so she could get the full effect. My black lace outfit showed off a lot of skin. Also visible were my freshly painted wards, which served the same function as the bodyguards: to show that I was always on guard, and always dangerous.
“I think she looks hot,” Dylan said.
“I think she looks like a woman working a street corner,” London retorted.
“No one gets off on your dead-grandma look,” Dylan snapped. “Don’t take out your lack of sex appeal on Fantazia. Jealous much?”
“Some men don’t go for the trampy look,” London said in a quiet voice. “Some men like women who dress like a lady.”
“I don’t see why you’re dragging this out,” I said, eyeing the stakes on the table. “Joseph’s going to win this round.”
Everyone groaned and folded; they could sense I was telling the truth. Sometimes I like messing with the card games in my establishment. Games of chance are especially chancy around me. For some reason, people still come here to play.
Joseph sighed. “I could have milked them, Fantazia.”
“Who cares? It’s just money and I’m bored and want to talk to you,” I said.
Grabbing him by the arm, I snapped my fingers. Typical club music started blaring from unseen speakers. Popular music is beyond my comprehension and tastes, but I pay someone to recommend whatever is currently in fashion. And I can dance.
“Since when does talk equal humping my leg?” Joseph asked. He seemed to be enjoying it, though.
“Since now,” I answered. I snapped my fingers again, and a section of tables disappeared to allow a dance floor, much to the chagrin of the patrons sitting there. “I’m terribly bored so I want to dance—and you’re one of the few guys around here who actually can.”
“I haven’t seen you this happy in a while,” Joseph said.
“I’m not,” I replied. “But I’m damn good at faking it.”
He gave a sarcastic laugh. “Don’t I know it.”
“Baby,” I said, “I never have to fake it with you.”
“You’re too kind, and flattery will get you everywhere.” He shot me a smile, then glanced around. “I don’t think everyone’s in a making-merry mood, but I guess I should have suspected you’d be. Considering what I’ve got.”
It wasn’t a good transition, but I was intrigued. “What are you talking about?”
He knew he had me. His lips curled into that dangerous smile. “Darlin’, I know you. Do you think I’d honestly give you the goods for free?”
I pressed against him and purred, “You have something big?”
“Ah, it’s big now, is it?”
I was already bored. “Cut the crap, Joe,” I said, my voice an intense growl. “Tell me what you’re getting at or just shut up. I’m not in the mood for games.”
“But you’re always in the mood for games, darlin’. And as you say, I always play to win.”
His smug grin was intolerable. Sometimes I’m in the mood for sport, sometimes not. Right now? Not. Especially not from him. A rumble sounded in the room as I built up the pressure of my magic. Glasses started to shatter. Several people bolted from the room. They must have been around the last time I did this.
“Don’t make me rip it out of you,” I warned, narrowing my eyes.
“Don’t be such a drama queen,” Joseph said, but the fact that he’d spoken in his real voice and not his fake Irish brogue told me he knew he’d pushed too far and was backtracking. And, was that a glimmer of fear in his eyes?
I whispered a few words under my breath, looking directly into his eyes as I touched the surface of his mind, ready to dig through his memories to get the goods.
“Something big’s going down,” he yelped.
I frowned. What a letdown. “ ‘Something big’? Something big’s always going down.”
“This time’s different.”
“This time’s always different.” I laughed. “This time ‘someone’s really going to destroy’ the city, country, world, universe, dimension, et cetera. Each and every time, it’s a big nothing. Who am I going to sell pipe dreams? Shit, this is more boring than watching you play