Chapter SeventeenWe sorted out the gold with a curious civility, then arranged both parties in a rough circle, with Matilda and Jenny in the middle. I managed to place myself between Patrick—to keep him from losing what little control he possessed—and Samir. Samir looked at his feet, then glanced sideways at me with an apologetic shrug.
‘It’s all right,’ I whispered. ‘You never belonged to me.’
‘I liked it,’ he said. ‘Especially when we were flying.’
‘So did I.’
He relaxed at that and prepared to enjoy the fight. I envied his calm, but had to put on my own faux assurance to keep Patrick from charging into the fray and causing everyone present to erupt into all-in violence. He was quivering with frustration.
I laid my hand on his arm, hoping it would have a soothing effect.
He cast me
