Chapter 17

A breathless shriek came from behind him. Dallin spun, gun instinctively coming up and to the ready, turning in time to see the woman pop the second finger back into its joint. Calder's eyes were wide-open now, but hazy and confused, filled with pain. Scared and bewildered, he tried to pull away from Tom's grip, tried to retreat and curl in, but Tom held firm while Miri shushed with soft sounds of comfort.

"There now," she murmured. "The worst is done." A soothing smile curled her mouth.

Calder seemed to focus on it, because he relaxed a little. "Miss Miri," he whispered, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean--"