ra

ored m

face crumpled and frightened, my breathing uneven, my shoulders folded inward

p from the hem of his ruined shirt. His movements were efficient, economical, even as blood conti

behind it. His technique was crude. The bleeding wasn't stopping. The Healer in me cataloged the symptoms, the dept

without a s

ssed the small space in two strides and crouched down in front of me, his presence

widen, wet and furious beneath the fear. Every hel

On the thin silver chain I always wore. On the smooth

. My mother'

e energy, imperceptible to most, seemed to hum un

s flew out of me, sharp an

of a smile touched his lips. With a single, sharp tug, he sn

a desperate, fo

nst the base of the door. He stood up, the moonsto

but his eyes were anything but. "A token. Som

between his thumb and for

her, glaring at him wit

. "Doesn't matter. We'll be seeing each ot

laim, a stolen excuse for a second meeting. Panic, cold and real, seized me. I coul

egan to slow. A tinny voice announced our approach to a s

window into the darkness, then bac

al second, he dismissed me. In his mind, I was still the tremb

mist

ck of his jacket. The distinct, hard outli

ingers touched t

like a striking snake. I didn't go for his wounded shoulder or his legs. I went for the gun. My hand shot out, my

rom its holster with a

xpertly executed. It was not the

ound. For the first time since he'd burst through my

s too

e gun with both hands, just as I'd been taught. The heavy weight was

shaking, but m

I said, my voice low

n his eyes slowly melted away, replaced by a dark, predatory amus

his hands in a ge

gleaming with a disturbing light. "Looks li

moment, as if memorizing every detail of my face. Then, he turned, slid the

peed again. Only then did the tension break. I sank to my knees, the heavy weapon still

as a SIG Sauer P226. Military

o common criminal. And he was