Chapter 48A few minutes later, Khalid and Talya were sitting at the table with James and Hassan. Talya chose to sit between Khalid and James, and across from Hassan.
“I’m glad you’ve decided to come back, Talya.” James rushed to say. “I’m sorry for flying off the handle like I did—”
“It’s okay...” Talya cut him off with a faint smile. “Forget it, shall we? Let’s talk about something else.”
“Khalid, Hassan tells me you’re a Touareg.” James began, an inquisitive look on his face. “For the average Westerner, a Touareg, or any Bedouin for that matter, is a man of mystery. Are you? A man of mystery, I mean.”
Khalid seemed to have expected the question. He smiled. “Yes, that’s what people call me: a Touareg. I am an Imouchar-Imajeren to be precise. This is a noble order.” I knew it. “In the
