Nexus Casino

The house dealer cut the cards and started dealing.

“Alright gentlemen, talisman on the table!” Fox announced to the gathered assemblage. Sorcerers, vampires, demigods and Fox Meridian, magical cad and swindler.

Immortals gathered at the Nexus Tavern every Blue Moon to trade in wares, paraphernalia, items of power, gossip, and for high stakes gambling.

The Vitelli Family, with nerve centers in most major supernatural cities, owned the Nexus Casino.

Several Immortals and members of the Jade Kingdom were playing Mahjong at a nearby table, where presumably vast fortunes of gold and jewels were changing hands. Odin and Czernobog were sitting a table playing chess. Fates only knew what was being wagered at this table.

Full house and three of a kind won Fox several powerful talisman at his table.

This was a night where beings from different worlds could change their fortunes and destinies. Fox had lost an ancient Aztec divination talisman and a Roman cursing tablet. He'd gained several Sumerian talisman and a set of ancient Egyptian carved ephigies, amongst some other odds and ends he didn't recognize.

The tone of the room shifted suddenly however. A disheveled man with an uneven gray suit came stumbling in with a briefcase. He stood in the corner as a few games progressed. Most pretended to ignore him, but Fox noticed that all side glances were in his direction.

Finally a Lord Leopold had felt tapped out and excused himself from the table. Everyone bid him a good night. Even Fox, who had won several priceless artifacts from him. Even still, Fox was respectful with no tinge of irony. One did not intentionally upset a being like Lord Leopold.

Lord Leopold had cashed in his chips and prepared to leave when the disheveled man took a seat at the table.

Fox and several others exchanged glances. The dealer began dealing.

“Bids?” the dealer asked allowed. Various token, medallions and jewels were set upon the table. The dealer cast a look upon the newcomer.

“Bids,” the dealer announced softly.

There was an uncomfortable moment of silence as the newcomer fiddled with the lock on his briefcase. He opened it and handed a piece of paper to the dealer. The dealer unfolded, read it, and looked out to the table.

“One unborn soul to be wagered,” the dealer announced.

There was some murmuring throughout the surrounding room. Other people at the table exchanged glances and placed their bets. Such wagers happened from time to time. Rapunzel's parents had made such a deal with the Witch next door. Rumplestiltskin maid the deal with the farmer's daughter. Tonight was the first time he'd seen such a wager unfold before his eyes.

Fox was silent for a moment before tossing in a few Spanish galleons.

Fox lost the hand. A sorcerer named Salem Grey took the hand.

The game continued for a few more hands. The disheveled stranger excused himself from the table but was stopped from leaving by Vitelli security. Upon losing an Unborn Soul, certain rituals had to be in place before the player was allowed to leave the premises, to ensure payment.

Fox kept an eye on the contract. Several more hands changed places.

Then came the big stakes play. They turned up a few times each game. Several players bowed out after large stakes were set at place. In the end, only Salem Grey and Fox Meridian were still in the game.

Salem was ancient and stoic. He was impossible to read. Fox could only hope he had the top hand. But he kept his face placid.

The stakes had been raised a few times as each player bowed out. Fox had the high ground.

Salem was idly looking around at the pile in front of him. He was an old sorcerer with piles of books and scrolls and enchantments he had either won or created himself. He was looking through them when Fox spoke up.

“The soul,” he said.

Salem looked up inquisitively.

“That will complete the wager,” Fox said. Salem was silent a moment, then slid the folded paper over to Fox.

Salem had a full house. Fox a straight flush. There were several whistles at the table. Fox nodded somberly. Salem was an immensely powerful and ancient sorcerer. Even in defeat, he was also one not to anger.

Fox gathered his chips.

“It's been great, but I think it's time I cashed out this evening,” Fox announced to the group.

There were several glances exchanged.

“I'd like to chat with you soon,” Salem said to Fox. Fox nodded. He looked over to the newcomer that had bid the Unborn Soul earlier in the evening.

Fox cashed out with the house.

“So, I'll be cashing this in with you soon?” Fox said, brandishing the deed in his right hand.

The man extended his hand.

“The name's Eli Cummings,” the man said. Fox looked at the hand and nodded.

Outside Fox lit a cigarette as they were walking.

“So when is she do?” Fox asked.

Eli sputtered for a moment.

“W-w-well, not just yet. So far as I know. But we're still young,” Eli said.

“So no child yet?” Fox replied.

“Well, no. But we will.”

“What made you make that wager?” Fox asked nonchalantly.

“We're in debt. Both of us. Some bad investments went south. I needed tonight to bring me back out of it. Sadly, it didn't happen,” Eli said, shaking his head.

Fox sighed, deed in hand.

“Listen. We're both human. Or so I'm guessing. Would you be willing to give the deed back?” Eli asked.

“So it shows up at another game?”

“Maybe. Who knows?” Eli said, chuckling slightly. Fox nodded.

“Doesn't benefit me does it? You'll have to bet off your second child in that case,” Fox said. Eli nodded. He pulled back the flap to his suit, revealing a revolver. With his hand on the handle, he looked at Fox somberly.

“I could take it back if I wanted to. I'd like to give you the chance to give it back willingly,” Eli said. Fox exhaled a puff of smoke.

“You'd be breaking the code of honor amongst gamblers. Who's to trust you again at future games?” Fox asked with all the investment of discussing the weather.

“Well, I'd love to sit and discuss gambling ethics with you. But, the deed?” Eli said, gesturing to the gun again. Fox frowned. Then he pulled the revolver from Eli's waist and fired into Eli's temple. Another round was fired into Eli when he hit the ground.

“He'd have just done it again...” Fox muttered to himself. He wiped off the handle to the revolver and place the handle back in Eli's hand then walked off, lighting another cigarette.