Chapter 8 - One Hand Against Madam Zero
Mason had never played baccarat.
That turned out to be helpful.
Madam Zero could read habits.
He had none.
She placed one black chip on the table.
It radiated enough pressure to make Mason's teeth ache.
"If I win," she said, "I take Lou's token."
"And if I win?"
"You won't."
Tasha coughed to hide a laugh.
Mason checked Odds Sight.
Every possible card path ended in Madam Zero winning.
Except one.
A silver thread led not to the cards, but to a cocktail server carrying six glasses.
Mason pushed his chair back one inch.
The server tripped on the leg.
A glass spilled across the shoe of the player beside Madam Zero.
He jumped up.
His knee hit the table.
Cards scattered.
Casino policy required a redeal.
The probability tree reset.
For one second, Madam Zero looked surprised.
The new hand favored Mason.
He won by one point.
Silence swallowed the room.
Blake's face went white.
Madam Zero laughed.
Not angrily.
Delighted.
"You didn't beat the cards. You beat the moment before the cards."
[IMPOSSIBLE OUTCOME CORRECTED.]
[COPPER FATE MERIDIAN 2/9 OPENED.]
[SKILL EVOLVED: ODDS SIGHT → THREAD SIGHT.]
Madam Zero slid her black chip to Mason.
"Keep it."
He touched it.
The Ledger flashed.
[CURSED OBJECT DETECTED.]
Madam Zero smiled wider.
"If it kills you, Lou chose poorly after all."
---
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