Five Card Stud—Threes Are Wild

"Hmm," Blaze mused as she shuffled the cards. "A quick game, but one where we bet on each card—can get expensive. I think I'll enjoy this. What's the ante?"

In answer, Lois tossed four chips into the center of the table. A full month of pregnancy was at stake—and that before a single card was dealt. More, the ante set the bet for the rest of the game; Lois would be looking at five months on the table at a minimum...more if either of them raised.

Blaze moved four soul shards into the pot, and dealt the first cards, one face-down and one face-up to each of them. The pregnant reporter peeked at her face-down card.

Lois: (3♣) 7♥

Blaze: (?) Q♦

Lois felt her pulse beat a little faster. Threes were wild, which gave her a pair. Even though Blaze had a queen showing, Lois had that going for her. But Blaze had the high card, so she went first.

"Bet four," the shemale said as moved the chips into the center of the table. Blaze stared back at Lois, face carefully neutral.

"I'll see you...and raise four." The reporter counter.

Eight chips were pushed into the center of the table, for a total of twelve. One soul's worth already, and three cards yet to be dealt. As Blaze called, Lois realized as she did so that a whole trimester's worth of chips was in the pot already.

Blaze dealt the next cards.

Lois: (3♣) 7♥ J♥

Blaze: (?) Q♦ 8♥

A possible flush, if my luck holds. Lois thought. But if Blaze's face-down card is a queen, she has a higher pair than I do.

"Bet," Blaze pushed four more chips into the growing pile in the center.

"Bet and raise," Lois responded. The reporter's heart sank, but if she didn't raise again, the demon would think she was bluffing. The demon had to think Lois was winning.

"Call," Blaze moved more chips into the table. Five months of growth versus two human souls right now.

Two more cards, and it was Lois' turn again.

Lois: (3♣) 7♥ J♥ 3♥

Blaze: (?) Q♦ 8♥ 10♣

A little thrill ran through Lois as the wild card hit the board. That gave her trips—and a pair on the board. The odds were shifting in her favor now.

"Eight on my pair," Lois murmured, pushing her chips forward. Seven months of growth at stake. If Blaze raised her...

"Call," the demon said. "...and raise eight."

Lois swallowed as she moved chips from her pile into the center. There were thirty-six of her chips there—nine months growth—and thirty-six soul shards.

"There's more than three human souls worth there," Lois noted.

Blaze inclined her head. "Six of them are mine."

"So if I get forty chips..." Lois let the thought drag off.

"...you can do with me what you like."

You could cut the tension in the air with a knife. Both women could feel this was a contest of wills, each putting everything on the line. After a moment, Blaze flipped over the final cards.

Lois: (3♣) 7♥ J♥ 3♥ K♣

Blaze: (?) Q♦ 8♥ 10♣ J♠

Lois felt herself deflate a little as the black king was lined up next to her line of hearts. No hope for a flush now...but she could beat a pair of queens. Blaze had a possible straight. A straight would beat three of a kind.

"Four on my pair," Lois shoved her last chips forward. Blaze called silently, putting her chips into the pot.

"If I lose..." Lois said suddenly. "Forty weeks pregnant in an instant...will I give birth right away?"

"No," Blaze's voice was hoarse, staring at the board. "We could keep going, if you want. You would simply be...overdue. Bigger and bigger. Of course, you could give birth at any time...but it is too late for either of us to think of quitting." The demon took a deep breath and let it out, and Lois noticed her shoulders were visibly tense. "Show your cards."

Lois flipped over her hidden wild card. The demon's face revealed no surprise, a cipher as impenetrable as the sphinx.

"Three kings." the pregnant reporter said, one hand unconsciously touching her belly.