China Sorrows, Gabriel noted at once, was under tight control today. Not that it was a surprise, but it meant that Gabe couldn't read anything without being intrusive, and he was more determined than ever to not be intrusive with a woman who was, herself, intrusive in the worst of ways to everyone else. The fact that her mind seemed ... sharp, as if supplemented, didn't help. That might have required a breach of his promise.

He left it be.

"Only my winning streak," he said easily, holding out his hand for Valkyrie's four and setting the pair down precisely on top of the tens. He glanced up and met Skulduggery's gaze, shifting his shoulder in a near-shrug to indicate he had no idea why China was here. "It's been a long time since I've been able to win at cards so regularly."

Try almost never, except when he'd played the rare hand with one of his siblings. Usually it was something he played only with his Master, as His companion. Spending time with his family on missions? Yes, of course. But some extraneous activities didn't really happen with the undercurrent of being on duty.

Gabe knew better, now.