As Ryan headed down a set of stairs, he expected to find a traditional stone cellar. So
he was surprised when he stumbled upon a finished basement room. It was much like
the rest of the house with early 1900s decor. It appeared to be a home casino with a
roulette wheel, three card tables, a bar, and even an old style slot machine. The room
was lit by early style lightbulbs above the bar, two lamps in each corner, and a large
fireplace between the steps and the bar. Ryan moved over to a seating area by the
bar and sat in one of the black leather chairs around a walnut coffee table. Just as
Ryan got comfortable, he heard someone coming down the steps. Assuming it to be
one of his friends or his brother, he remained seated. There came voices as well, but
Ryan realized he did not recognize them.
"Come now, Master Spelstorm," came an older gentleman's voice,"You're not going to
get mad at me over a little game of poker are you?"
"All I'm saying, Frederick," replied the voice of a boy in his teens,"Is that you have the
uncanny ability of always getting a better hand than me! And it's starting to get
suspicious!"
Frederick merely chuckled at his young master.
Ryan watched nervously as a shadow appeared walking down the steps, and he knew
he was soon to be discovered.
"Fine," came the Spelstorm boy's voice again, closer,"Let us have another game. But
this time I get to deal!"
The two finally entered the room. Ryan was shocked at who they were. Frederick had
a bald head with grey hair around the edges as well as a handlebar mustache and a
monocle. He was dressed in a suit and tie and appeared to be a butler. What made
him quite amazing was that he was somewhat transparent and dull colored. A ghost!
Master Spelstorm wasn't any less frightening. Though he was the same height as Ryan
and seemed to be younger than the 18-year-old, the fact remained that he was a
muscular white-furred werewolf in only black dress pants. the two did not notice him
as they moved to the other side of the room to start their game of poker.
"Alright, same as before, five card stud, deuces wild, and..." Spelstorm trailed off as he
looked through Frederick at Ryan.
"What is it, Master Spelstorm?"
"Frederick, would you mind moving to the side a bit?" he asked, still staring intently at
Ryan. Frederick did so, giving Spelstorm a clear view of the intruder. "Aha, it would
appear we have a guest!"