Chapter 7

Chapter

Seven

Vyk

I waited until Fiona was gone, savoring the hush of the Stacks as thoughts of Fiona's challenge swirled through my mind. I drew in a breath that was heavy with the scent of crumbling books and layers of dust and let it out slowly to steady the breath that had quickened at her provocation.

Had that actually happened? Had the female challenged me to a game of cards?

I fought the urge to laugh, the sound bubbling up in my throat and teasing my lips. I should not find so much pleasure in her mistake. I should not be reveling in the strategist’s strategic mistake. She could not have known. She clearly had no idea .

I finally took plodding steps through the labyrinth of looming bookshelves, the rhythmic sound marking my walk to the door. I heaved it open and stepped out, sucking in the cool air of the academy corridors that was not laden with dust and age. The door thudded shut behind me, and the sound echoed off the unyielding rock.

"Commander Vyk,”Admiral Zoran's voice cut through the quiet with the precision of a Drexian blade.

I turned, finding the seasoned officer's piercing gaze fixed on me as he approached. A hint of amusement played at the corner of his mouth, an expression incongruous with the stern set of his jaw. Only when he reached me did I notice his adjunct disappearing down the far end of the corridor.

I forced my own face into a mask of disciplined calm. “Admiral.”

“I happened to be walking by some females, and I overheard Captain Douglas mentioning that she would be playing you in cards.” The dim lighting of the sconces cast shadows over his face, but it couldn’t hide the knowing gleam in his eyes.

“Did you? ” I kept my tone neutral, though a flicker of annoyance sparked within me. Of course, word had reached the admiral already. Despite its size and maze of corridors, the academy did not seem to hold secrets as well as it had in the past.

“I did. She seemed unaware of your skill level. She appeared to be ignorant of the way you made extra credits during your time in Inferno Force. I can only assume you did not inform her that you have ruled nearly every card table you’ve played at over the years. ”

A muscle twitched in my cheek. It would have been a fair match if not for my past; a past she knew nothing about. "She threw down the gauntlet. I simply picked it up," I replied, the words smooth and even, betraying none of the conflict churning inside me.

“And what happens when she learns of your past?”

It took no imagination to know how she would react. I had already been on the receiving end of her rage. But now, the very notion of playing against her, of winning, of claiming a prize of my choosing—even under false pretense—was a temptation too potent to resist.

My silence must have spoken volumes. Zoran clapped a hand on my shoulder, his touch surprisingly heavy. “Be careful, Vyk. Human females are more dangerous than they appear.”

“Your concern is noted, Admiral." I shrugged off his hand with a discreet firmness. The weight of his warning lingered, but I ignored it.

Zoran gave me a curt nod, the lines around his eyes softening for a moment before he turned away.

I waited until he had vanished around the corner, until I was alone again.

"Am I playing with fire?" I murmured to myself, the hush of the corridor amplifying my internal debate.

The urge to be near her, to decipher the enigma of her, clawed at me with relentless tenacity. Perhaps this card game would quench the burning curiosity that consumed my thoughts. Maybe engaging in battle with Fiona would put my desire to rest. If I beat her, maybe my thoughts would be purged of her .

Or maybe, she will beat you.

I choked on a laugh at this. I might believe that the females were tougher than I’d originally thought. I might be willing to admit that the humans were clever and shrewd. I might even be willing to concede that Fiona was the most intriguing female I’d ever encountered of any species, but I did not believe that she would beat me. I had played too many games against too many outlaws to fear losing.

No, I would play her as she wished, and I would win. But I would not leave the table empty handed. I never did.