Rachel extended her senses. Nothing. Apparently, her surprise showed. The stranger raised a single finger for pause, holding a knife reverse-grip with the other digits, then he let his gun hang loose on its sling and reached up to tug his shirt collar down, revealing a lean chest and a tattoo of a simple kite shield set in a circle. A glyph? An easy grin slipped over his mouth. “Call me superstitious, but I do what I can to avoid surprises, sweetheart.” Her frown deepened. His grin followed suit