Chapter 16

A long, whispered sigh left his throat, eyes fixed to Dallin's in a last smirking smile. Dallin didn't need to check for a pulse to know the man was dead, but he did anyway before he pulled back and sat on the floor with yet another curse.

What the bloody hell did that mean?

What the bloody hell did that *mean*?

"Shit," Dallin growled, set the safety on his gun, and gave his head a shake.

He crawled across to Calder, gave him a quick once-over, then blew out a long breath and peered about. The patrons of the inn were still staring silently, but thankfully they seemed to have come back to themselves. Their gazes met Dallin's with awareness behind them and no small amount of fear mixed with morbid curiosity.

"Is anyone here a healer?" Dallin asked.

No one answered at first, but some of them turned to scan their fellows, apparently looking for the familiar face of one of the local healers. A soft murmur bloomed and several heads shook.

"Is he dead?"