House of the Nefarious

Chapter 24

I slapped my cheeks, feeling them burn from the sudden blow.

"You got to win this Seoyeon," I muttered, pacing back and forth across my room.

My fuzzy socks were gaining static from all my shuffling around and I finally came to a halt when a knock sounded on the door.

I swung open the door to reveal Namjoon.
He looked like he had just run a marathon and sweat was dripping from his brow.

"Umm are you alright?" I asked, taking in his disheveled state. 

It was kind of hot but-

"I heard you were going to play a card game with Hoseok and I wanted to come see," he explained, taking a moment to collect his breath.

"I thought I might've been late so I ran all the way here."

I checked the small alarm clock on the dresser. "You're actually right on time, I was just about to leave."

I closed the door behind me and we started making our way to the library. 

"I made a bet that you would win so don't let me down," the man jested.

"How'd you find out?" I asked, surprised he had faith in me winning. 

He paused, letting out an awkward chuckle. "Let's just say the walls have ears."

I inwardly groaned. "So I'm assuming everyone knows now?"

"Well, no ones ever beaten Hoseok at a game of cards before, so it's become a bit of a spectacle."

I paled. That sounded like it would end well for me.

I took a deep breath. I just had to activate my 3 remaining brain cells and get that stupid stamp.

I entered the library, not too surprised to see the 6 remaining boys scattered about.

"Look, the plebian of the hour has arrived," Taehyung cackled. 

He was strewn across the couch like a sack of potatoes and I rolled my eyes at his comment.

"Why didn't you respond," he pouted. "I had to get a mouthful of bugs in your stead."

"I'm pretty sure you dangling off the roof isn't a me problem," I grumbled, letting out a dramatic sigh. "I'm sorry I didn't get to see it though."

He looked like he was tempted to blast me out the window (in a friendly way of course) but was interrupted by Seokjin.

"Let's get this over with then," he mused, gesturing for me to head over to the unoccupied seat across from Hoseok.

"I presume you know the rules?" The red-haired man asked.

"Yup," I replied. Eying the cards as he dealt them out. 

I picked up the ten that had settled in front of me realizing I didn't have any pairs.

Hoseok sent down two sets, a small smirk already on his face.

"I'll help you."

"Yoongi?" I asked, confused by the man's sudden appearance. 

"Look behind Hoseok, in the corner of the bookshelf with all the red novels."

I followed his directions noticing the shadow of a cat blended into the darkness.

"Is that you?" I questioned.

He scowled. "I'm not a cat." 

"That's debatable," I replied, a sudden thought popping into my head. "Lil meow meow."

"Call me that again and when I get out I'll bury you alive."

"Well you getting out kind of depends on me," I pointed out. 

He let out a groan. "I suppose."

"Just listen to me when I tell you what to do, that cat will be my eyes and ears."

"Isn't that cheating though?" 

"It's not cheating if he's cheating too."

I stared at the man. His aura was tinted with something a little unusual but I couldn't quite place my finger on it.

"It's a blessing or a curse," Yoongi explained, "he's probably not even aware of it but that shit head Seokjin put it on him."

"He really doesn't want me to get all those stamps huh?" I replied dryly.

"Seoyeon you can start," Hoseok offered. 

"Ok," I muttered.

"Ask for a 6."

I echoed Yoongi's words.

He begrudgingly slid the mentioned card across the table.

"Do you have a queen?"

I sent mine over in turn.

This continued until we were both on our final card. 

"C'mon Seoyeon, I betted gold coins on you," Taehyung yelled.

I watched Seokjin's lips stretch into a smirk. I lowkey wanted to go and slap his cheating self in the face, but I doubted that would end well. Plus I was now technically a cheater too.

"Jack," Yoongi muttered. 

"Do you have a jack," I asked.

A smile made its way onto his face that unsettled me. 

"Go fish."

What. 

I stared at him for a minute, confusion washing over me as I went to pick up a card. Had Yoongi been wrong?

"I'm joking," he sighed, turning over his last card to reveal a Jack.

My shoulders sagged in relief and 3 of the 7 let out obnoxious cheers. 

"I'm a rich man today," Taehyung exclaimed, collecting the coins from an irritated Seokjin. 

It appeared Namjoon, Taehyung and Jimin had bet on me. Jungkook and Seokjin opting for the more likely candidate, Hoseok.

I was too late to avoid one of Jimin's bone crushing hugs and I awkwardly patted him on the back.

"You're literally about to break her spine in two," Hoseok pointed out.

"Oops," the silver-haired man muttered, prying himself off me.

"Good game," he said offering me his hand. "I'm surprised someone finally managed to beat me."

"It is a luck based game after all," I replied, not meeting his gaze. I did feel a little bad about the methods I used to win, but if I hadn't gone first things would've turned out differently. 

"As promised," he muttered, pressing his palm to my arm.

There was a faint prick and the magic ink sank into my arm in the shape of an ember.

2 more to go.