Chapter 263 - Cards on the table (2/2)

”My turn!” Poseidon said as he rubbed his hands together in excitement. He let his hand hover over the deck before selecting a card. ”Ow! Must be my lucky day, an ace.”

Giorgos rubbed his chin. ”Wouldn't that be bad luck... for both of us?”

Poseidon forged drunken confusion as his gaze moved back to the card. ”Shit... you're right...” He tossed it to the table and s.u.c.k.e.d in a large breath before blowing it out. ”Welp, let's get it over with... still three more of these lil bastards.” By the time Drake had lowered the can from his lips all six of the men were crushing empty cans and tossing them to the side.

Giorgos burped loudly as he hit his fist against this c.h.e.s.t. ”Guess that means I'm up...” He pulled a card. ”Ah thank f.u.c.k! I don't think I could stand another drink right now. To you, man, you're too sober.” He pointed toward Mattie.

Russ didn't bother to wait until the vampire had finished as he selected his card. A smile curved Russ's lips as he flipped the queen of clubs toward Drake. ”Question... for you. What are you doing here at the palace?”

Drake shrugged nonchalantly. ”Same as you, I figure.”

Russ arched a brow. ”What exactly do you mean by that?”

Drake shrugged again as he took a long drink from the new beer. ”Obligation for the most part... and seeing that the same mistakes of my past predecessors aren't repeated.” He shifted his gaze from Russ to Ry. ”So, are we here for an interrogation, or are we playing a game. Who's turn?”

Ry lifted a card and tossed it in irritation back to the table. ”Well hell... Hand me a beer...” He flicked the ten of hearts onto the table and waited for Poseidon to reach him the switched drink.

The game continued over the next hour. Russ had to admit, he was beginning to feel the alcohol... but he could tell the vampires were as well. He grimaced as he flipped over the last queen, the queen of diamonds. ”Well ask away...” He growled.

”What was it like to f.u.c.k the Kraken?” Mattie asked, his quiet demeanor of the night replaced by the liquid courage provided by the alcohol.

Russ narrowed his eyes. He could feel his jaw tick as he gritted his teeth, but before he could answer the door to the room opened and Fern stepped inside. ”Great question, I too would like to hear the answer to it.” Fern said, his gaze trained on Russ.

Russ bit back the blinding rage that threatened to over-spew at any second. He nodded toward the few cards remaining on the table. ”Have a seat and join us then... but if I'm going to talk about my failed s.e.x life then I'll need something stronger than this.” He said finishing off the can in his hand before crushing it and tossing it onto the table in disdain. ”You got any more of that scotch from the other night?”

Amus.e.m.e.nt colored Fern's face. ”You want more of that scotch?” His lips turned up into a triumphant smile as he lifted his hands and clapped loudly. A servant came rushing in within seconds. She didn't speak, only lowered her head in a bow as she stood by the door waiting on his order. ”Retrieve the scotch from my office, would you Dear.” The servant simply nodded and deepened her bow before turning and making haste out of the room.

Drake arched a brow as he watched the servant flee. ”It never fails to amaze me how households are run in these older establishments... simply archaic...”

Fern turned a quizzical brow toward the young man, ”Compared to what, the utter chaos of your modern establishment? I think not... You children would do well to take note.”

Drake frowned as he lifted his beer and took a long drink. ”I'd rather not.” He shifted his gaze to Russ. ”What about you? Traditionalist or new age?”

Russ shrugged, ”I wouldn't know. I haven't been subjected to this lifestyle since I was a toddler.”

”Hum...” Drake murmured as he pushed away from the table. ”If we're waiting on the liquor before continuing with things, I think I'll step out for a few minutes. I need to check my messages.” He pushed up from the table and made his way out of the room.

Mattie's gaze shifted nervously from the door to the other men in the room. ”I think I'll join him... let you guys have some privacy before we pick this back up.”

Ry nodded as he gathered the remaining few cards on the table and mixed them into the discarded cards they'd already used. ”Alright, don't be too long if you want that answer.”

Mattie's eyes moved nervously from Ry to Russ. ”I'm not sure I want it if he's going to be drinking the same stuff from the other night...”

The corner of Ry's mouth raised in a half grin. ”Don't worry, kid, we haven't had nearly enough alcohol to make us that red.” He nudged Russ with his elbow. ”Besides, hopefully, there won't be any reason for it tonight... unlike the other night.” His accusing eyes moved to Fern.

”I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about.” Fern replied as he glared back at Ry. Little else was said until the maid returned with the decanter of liquor and a tray of glasses, followed by the two young vampires. Fern smiled as he eagerly took the decanter and glasses.

Poseidon took the first glass as soon as Fern had poured it. ”You pour, I'll serve.” He said casually as he passed it over to Giorgos. ”Keep it going on around.” He sent Ry a wink. ”I guess it would only make sense if you served your guests on your far side over there.” He said as he took the fourth glass and watched as two more were poured and passed straight to the vampires. Poseidon arched a brow when Fern moved to replace the cap of the decanter. ”Aren't you going to have a drink with us?”

Fern gritted his teeth as he glared at Poseidon. ”I'm sorry, what was your name again?” His eyes shot to Giorgos before moving to Russ. ”My nephew seems to be making so many friends lately it's hard to keep track.”

Poseidon grinned as he extended his hand. ”Don, I was sure I introduced myself the other night... Must have been too wasted to remember properly.” He shrugged as he lifted the glass to his lips and took a sip of the amber liquid. ”Ah... Now that is some good scotch. Surely you'll not be passing it up so dismissively.” He forged a frown. ”It's poor manners not to, you know...”

Fern's lip snarled upwards. ”Better than my wine, I hope...” Fern begrudgingly poured the last glass half full before replacing the cap. He knew well what was inside and prayed they would all be passed out long before he was forced to drink the damnable liquid.