The Starhawk Chronicles by Joseph J. Madden

Author:Joseph J. Madden [Madden, Joseph J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-02-19T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Stepping through the entrance of the Hydra, K’Tran pushed back his hood, and paused to take in a long, deep breath. His eyes closed as he inhaled, and he took on a rapturous look. Slowly, he let out his breath and said, more to himself than to Podo, “I love the smell of a good casino.”

Podo, for his part, was gagging on the pungent stench from the cigar of the Phalean who passed them on its way out. The loud clanging and whirring of the gaming machines assaulted his more sensitive ears, causing him to curl them shut, and the garish neon lighting painted everything a dusty shade of pink. “I never did see the attraction,” he said, waving a paw at the cloud of blue-gray smoke that refused to dissipate from near his face.

“That’s the problem with the youth today,” K’Tran replied, making a preliminary scan of the smoky casino. He walked down the steps into the sunken gaming section as though he owned the place. “You don’t appreciate the old stuff anymore. Nowadays, your casinos have to be affiliated with big resorts with amusement centers and sim-rides and special attractions to entice you in. You forget that the primary reason casinos are established is gambling.” An attractive, scantily dressed cocktail waitress sauntered past, and both paused to look after her longingly.

“I’m not saying they don’t have their merits!” Podo said, hurrying to catch up to his friend, who was winding his way through the tables. Pausing near the screens along one wall, they made a show of watching the sporting events being broadcast, while covertly scanning the crowds.

“Lotha has a preference for trigon poker. Check over that way,” K’Tran said just low enough for Podo to hear over the cheering and booing of the gamblers watching the screens.

Podo tried to be discretely observant. Seeing nothing, he turned back in time to find K’Tran placing a bet on the screen before him. “What are you doing?”

“Casino managers don’t take too kindly to people loitering around. Doesn’t much matter whether we’re on official business or not. I figure so long as I place at least one or two bets, they can’t say anything.”

Podo accepted that explanation, although he knew K’Tran did suffer from a lack of willpower where gambling was concerned. “Well, I don’t see Lotha anywhere,” Podo said.

“Keep looking,” K’Tran answered without taking his eyes off the screen before him.

Podo continued scanning the patronage; his attentiveness waning as K’Tran’s had, becoming more caught up in the action around him. A Kammaran was hard to miss in a crowd, even with Podo’s distinct height disadvantage. He instead began paying more attention to the cocktail waitresses as they passed by. His attention was fixed on one in particular when she suddenly moved out of his line of sight.

And on the raised walkway beyond the gaming pit, heading for the exit, was Betan Lotha.

Podo grabbed K’Tran’s cloak, tugging furiously. “He’s there!” he stage whispered, pointing fervently in the direction of the exit.

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