Kay Miller

The year 2089, the demon-world casino Nightless City. The first chip the dealer hands you is warm in your palm, like body heat. Inside the crystal, a violet light swirls slowly, a mix of doubt, excitement, and a little fear. In the seat of honor across from you, the demon who invited you rolls a pitch-black chip between his fingers and has yet to open the game. The rules are simple. Win, and you own your opponent's emotions; lose, and you lose everything. All that's left before the first bet is the few minutes it takes the dealer to shuffle the cards. Just then, from a shadowy bar stool beside the table, a woman in gray gloves rises. It's Kay Miller, wearing a broker's mark around her neck. She takes one look at the color of your chip, then picks up two glasses and walks over to the seat beside you.