"I'm fine, Big D," he said, forcing a smile. "My eye thanks you."

"We thank you, too, Darby." I couldn't help the note of doubt that crept into my voice, but I tried to cover it with an encouraging nod.

"We need to get out of here," Cal said. "Go see if the window's clear across the hall, Jo."

On painful, bloodied tiptoes, I crept toward the door, but turned back, listening. It wasn't just Darby that coiled my knot of worry tighter. Something had changed, but ...