Bluffing the Devil Read online

  "Wow, you are a true piece of work, you know that?"

  "Yes," she blushed. "I know."

  "That was not a compliment! You see Carly the way you see her because of how you are, but I have spent the last eight years being friends with her and I know the true her. She has sometimes spent days on end with me, never leaving my side. No one is that great of an actress. Sorry. You fail."

  "I will not fail. You will see!" she reached for my wrist and pulled her hand back quickly as if something shocked her. "What… Oh, very well. This is not over!"

  "Ha! That almost reminds me of a wicked witch I once saw. You need some green face paint, a wart, and to threaten my dog, and then my life will truly be complete. Someone get a bucket of water, let's see if it works. Flying monkeys, anything? No?"

  The male chuckles from my side of the room were enough to send her in a rage. A flash ignited and she was gone.

  "Well, I guess that won't be the last time I see her, huh?"

  "Oh no, most definitely not, I’m sorry." Jamison said, still chuckling.

  "Why couldn't she touch me?" I asked, happy about whatever it was that kept someone like her away.

  "Oh, you have the bracelet on. Nice touch!" Jamison said with a roar of laughter.

  "The bracelet my dad gave me? What does that have to do with anything?" I asked, still not buying that my trinket of a keepsake could do anything to thwart evil.

  "Okay, long story short, that bead there," he pointed to the antique looking green one in the center," is the soul of the first nuhra. When she reached her peak, the torch was passed on and her soul was captured to keep out of the wrong hands. See the shimmer in the bead itself? That crazy aquamarine color your eyes are? That's one of the things every nuhra has, your eyes." He went on to explain the others were for protection, strength, truth, and everything else a nuhra needs to as safe as possible. "We figured if we gave it to your father to gift to you that you would actually wear it, which is why I laughed. I love to be right!"

  "Is every man in my life going to be so typical? Two demons and an angel and you all could sit right now in a crowded restaurant, eat chicken wings, and talk trash about sports like anyone else. Then go home, throw your socks on the floor, and not vacuum!"

  They both chuckled at my outburst.

  Rey touched my hand tentatively to see if it would hurt him. When it didn't, he asked if I would mind him seeing the bracelet.

  I reached to take it off and he said, "No, never take it off, I just want to see her soul. The first nuhra, that’s all." He looked at my bracelet. Stared for some time then looked off toward the back of the warehouse, closed his eyes, and smiled.

  "Are you okay?" I asked and used my free hand to pat his back reassuringly.

  "Yes, I am wonderful. Thank you, seriously for everything. Thank you."

  "Well, it’s my pleasure and job, I suppose. Oh GOD! I bet Rhea and Victoria are freaking out! Are they okay? How long have we been gone?"

  "They are both okay. They are at the tournament, with everyone else, waiting for it to start. Two of the key players haven't shown back up yet, so they've put the game on hold." Jamison had a mischievous look on his face. Males and that look were never a good match, in my book.

  "You can go back," I told Rey. "I have to get to Devin before she hurts him."

  "I won't leave you. Do whatever you need. Do you want to do it here, or go somewhere else?"

  "I don't want to do anything here except light a match, and watch this place burn," I answered honestly.

  "Beach?" he offered.

  "You know me too well!"

  "Can you do a favor for me, Jamison?"

  "I would do anything for you, princess."

  "Go to the tournament, but put those wings away first. I know you can do something with them. When you first got here, those big things were not fluffing and looking all scary. Just go there and try to explain this in a way only you can to Rhea and Victoria. I don't know if I can, and I really need to get to Devin."

  "I understand. Plus, I have a trick to talking to them easier than you do," he said with an adorable wink that I hadn't seen in way too long.

  "Oh? And what is that?"

  "You know that voice in your head that tells you when you should or shouldn't do something?"

  "You mean your conscience?"

  "Hi, I'm your conscience," he said, stretching his hand out to shake mine.

  "No way, that's awesome!"

  "Yes, we figured if she could plant negativity and bad things in people's minds then we could sometimes whisper things to help people do good things, or at least things that wouldn’t cause them awful loss, pain, and suffering. It's one of my favorite jobs. It's so cool!"

  Jamison's excitement reminded me of when we were in middle school and had science projects due. Instead of working on his project all week, he would do it all in one night so he could immerse himself in the work. The next day, instead of being tired, he would be wired and excited and happy. He was always a weirdo.

  Chapter 19

  Rey and I made short work on the walk to the beach even though I had no shoes and was physically exhausted, bruised, and starving.

  The warehouse where Carly had taken us was just a few blocks over from the hotel. It was just an old abandoned mirror factory.

  I dashed for the beach and ran straight to the water. I splashed my face and sunk my feet deep into the sand. I calmed my mind and just took some deep breaths and paused to thank God for my life.

  I turned to see Rey standing quietly in the grass, waiting for whatever I would do next. He was my unofficial bodyguard at this point. He protected me when I needed it he badgered me about things like my brother when needed. He was just there for me. Funny how things turn out, huh?

  I walked up and gave Rey a tight hug. "I really appreciate all that you did for me in the last few days. I know it's tough to be alone in the world, but hopefully you will want to be a part of our little herd."

  "You speak as if you are animals," he chuckled.

  "Hi, have we met? Of course we are animals," I cracked up with him.

  "It would be my great honor to be welcomed into your herd."

  "Okay, I guess that means I need to go get Devin. He might like to be invited to the herd as well."

  "Please be safe. You do not know fully what she is capable of yet."

  "I'm not going to mess with her and she cannot mess with me," I said. "Plus, I'm too stubborn to die, and I'm pretty sure there should be a rule somewhere that I'm not allowed to die. None of us are allowed to, in fact!"

  "Yes, we are banning dying from now on!" Rey agreed.

  "You promise?"

  "I promise!"

  I lay back, letting my hair spill across the sand. I was going to need a shower, hot tub, another shower, and God only knows what else to scrub this day off.

  I closed my eyes and imagined Devin's face. I called him to me and immediately was swept away to him.

  "My love. Oh God are you okay?" Devin jumped on me as soon as I appeared and checked me over.

  "Yes, baby. I am fine. Are you okay? You are the one that was drowned, if you recall."

  "I don't care. I didn't know you are the nuhra, love. I didn't. I promise. I wasn't trying to be with you for any reason other than that I care for you and have always been drawn to you."

  "I don't even truly understand all that it means to be the nuhra. I will learn more as it goes and I didn't, for a second, think that you were with me for anything other than really great sex at first. Then we had a good time together and it was almost magical. I am not sure what is in the future for me but for now, I want you there with me. If you will have me, that is. What I'm saying is Devin, would you be my boyfriend?"

  "That might have been the cutest thing anyone has ever said to me."

  "Is that a yes?"

  "Of course it is!" A sweet kiss to my lips sealed the deal. "The only thing is…"

  "Oh goodie a stipulation, I will not like any basketball team nam
ed after a body of water, nor will I eat mushrooms. Those are both deal breakers."

  His riot of laughter warmed my heart. He took my hand, "I want you to leave me here."

  "What? You want to stay here without me?"

  "No, I want to always be with you, but I think if I stay here, I can earn her trust again and have an inside scoop on what is going on. You can visit me in your dreams and, whenever we decide it's a good time, you can come storming in and steal me away again."

  "I do not want you to be deceptive for any cause. I want you to be with me and fight on my side. If you stay here, surely she will punish you or worse. I don't want to leave that to chance. I know I am strong enough to beat her. In time, I will figure out what I can do and with you and the rest of my herd, we will keep the peace, fight for good, and eventually triumph."

  "Herd, really?"

  "I just used that term earlier and it just sorta stuck for now, though I see us more as a flock, especially since we have an angel on staff now," I chuckled.

  "An angel? I have missed so much apparently."

  "Jamison came to me tonight. It's a long story that I will tell you all about… if you come home with me." I held my hand out as my final offer. Devin was a good soul and wanted nothing but good for the world. Going with me was the true way to get it. Staying, while it had benefits, would make us both suffer and might help us find victory, but not in a way that we should earn it.

  Epilogue

  The buzz around the poker community was that the top two players of the tournament had run away together, leaving the next in line to ultimately win it all. The fellow that had joked about her entrails being on our chips walked away with the bracelet and cash prize. The kid had talent and was going to go far.

  We had gone back to the suite, quickly thrown our belongings in our suitcases, and got the hell out of there. No good was coming from that place and we’d had our fill.

  Rhea and Victoria attacked me when they saw me. Victoria had checked me over completely and then let Rhea have a turn.

  Rey had explained to them what I was and a bit of what happened. The craziest part of it all was that they just accepted it. Right away, no questions asked, just accepted. They both said that they knew there was something special about me and that they wouldn't have it any other way. That was just another reason to add to the pile of why I loved them so dearly.

  Then we all cried together over the loss of our friend. I told them my plan about eventually trying to save her. While they appeared slightly skeptical, everyone came to the agreement that if I thought something was worth saving then it probably was. Either they were scared to hate on the nuhra or they truly believed in me. Either way, it was nice to configure possible future encounters with our friend-turned-enemy.

  ~

  Heading back home was a bittersweet moment. I was leaving behind a place where I had learned so much about myself in such a short time. I was also forever leaving behind the life of professional poker that I had grown to love so much. Of course, I could still play local tournaments, online, and occasionally guilt my friends into playing with me, but nothing gets a girls blood pumping quite like $250,000 on one hand. Blind, all-in. What.a.rush!

  The house seemed so huge and cold when I walked in. That early fall weather crept in before I knew it. I dropped my bags in the foyer and headed to the kitchen to make tea.

  "Well it's about time you made it, I was starting to wonder if you told me the wrong address to try to get rid of me," I heard behind me.

  "As if I could get rid of you so easily," I said and jumped into Devin's arms and he dropped the keys to the other car on the side table.

  "Did you drop Rey off at the guest house?"

  "I sure did and Rhea decided to stay and help him get settled," he added with a knowing grin.

  "I'm sure she did!" I grinned with him. The past few days certainly turned our lives upside-down. Amazing what a little change can do for a girl!

  "And now, I need a shower!" he announced. "I recall someone owing me one of those. You know, I'm new here. I need guidance to learn how to use one of those things." His wicked grin pushed me.

  "Race you to the top of the stairs, second door on your right, ready? Go!"

  CL Foster is a brand new writer with big dreams and lots of avenues she wants to travel. She decided in September 2012 that she wanted to become a writer. She immediately entered a contest with a partner and won with their Halloween horror entry, Billy Carver. (Title available in All Hallow's Eve anthology). She also has a true story entry about hope rising from despair in the Reality Bites anthology.

  She has also co-written two other novels with a partner using the pen-name Sierra Sofia, writing in the erotica and paranormal romance genres.

  Bluffing the Devil is her debut novel, which came to her in a dream. For an insomniac, that was a shocker to everyone.

  Originally from Florida, she has lived all over the world, but has settled down in Pennsylvania.... for now! She has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, minoring in Psychology and Forensics. Which means you don't want to cross her because she knows how and where to hide a body so it's never found!

  She proudly admits to hearing voices in her head, but at times, her characters' impromptu visits can be rude and annoying. Thankfully, she has adequate patience for their shenanigans and can out ninja them any day of the week.

  ~ How to easily stalk CL Foster ~

  (don't worry, she likes it and personally answers any fan mail or questions)

  http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCLFoster

  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1920252.C_L_Foster

  http://www.amazon.com/C.L.-Foster/e/B00A5GV1OS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_3

  http://twitter.com/CLFoster1

  http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/2140-cl-foster

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  http://inkedphoenix.wordpress.com/

  ~ and as Sierra Sofia ~

  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSierraSofia

  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6588331.Sierra_Sofia

  http://www.amazon.com/Sierra-Sofia/e/B00ACUFR2Y/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1365882642&sr=1-2-ent

  https://twitter.com/SierraSofia1

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