🎄 It’s time for paranormal mystery author Saffron Amatti’s #SaffronSaysWrite December Instagram writing challenge! Today’s prompt? That awkward bit between Christmas and New Year’s. Here we go!
Bored, Sebastian St. Michel flicked a toothpick at his bartender.
“Find Timothy Richardson. Tell him we’re playing cards. Get Maddox, too.” Orders given, Sebastian ducked through the closest door. Destination? Castlebury Magna, 1920s England.
Clara Jenkins, girlfriend to author Saffron Amatti’s Lucas Rathbone (Lucas Rathbone Mysteries), left a shop carrying a bag of sugar.
Sebastian leaned against the low stone wall as the brunette approached. “Hey there, cutie. On your way to –”
Clara frowned. “How did you get here?”
“If Templeton can –” Sebastian began.
“You’re no Templeton,” Clara cut in.
“You’ve got that right.” Sebastian snorted. “I need you for a –”
“No.” Clara pointed to the nearest door. “Do your door travel thing. Go.”
“So bossy.” Sebastian crossed his arms. “Want the chance to make enough pounds sterling to buy yourself a nice flat in London?”
“Let me guess. Poker?”
“I hear you’re quite the card shark. Even Templeton can’t win.” Sebastian smirked. “But I’m sure you can’t beat me. It’ll kill him when he hears I won.”
“Unlike you, I wasn’t born into money.” Clara set the sugar down.
“I’ll bankroll you. The other players don’t need to know.” Sebastian held out a hand. “Keep what you win.”
Clara pursed her lips. “Why should I trust you?”
Sebastian leaned in. “Because I like playing pirate with Saffron. If I tick her off, no more walking the plank for me.”
“Please don’t elaborate.” Clara winced, placing her hand in his. Moments later they stepped into Blue Tattoo.
The bartender motioned to a corner. “Chips are on the table.”
“After you.” In the blue light of the empty club, Sebastian’s eyes shimmered red.
Introductions followed. Clara recognized Richardson from a previous card game. Maddox, a buxom woman of indeterminate age, was new.
Later, in Castlebury Magna…
“My family’s bank will transfer the money to yours,” Sebastian said.
“No,” Clara replied. “I want it to go to Tommy’s old orphanage.”
He shrugged. “I’ll get the details from Saffron the next time we play pirate.”
“About that…”
“Shiver me timbers.” Winking, Sebastian slipped through a door and back into his own book.
Retrieving the bag of sugar, Clara chuckled. “Pirates, eh?”
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