“All good?” she asked in a light tone, but her voice cracked a little.

I shifted forms. “Yeah.”

Ren tilted his head, looking at Adne. He padded toward her, sniffing the back of her hand when she extended it. I wasn’t sure what he’d recognized, but his tail wagged. He shifted into human form.

“Ariadne, this is Renier Laroche.” I sidestepped so they were facing each other without me in between.

She smiled and said, “Adne.”

At the same moment he said, “Ren.”

They blinked at each other, then laughed. I looked back and forth between them. Ren’s tall, muscled form was not anything like Adne’s. She was a wisp of a girl whose stature belied her ferocity. But they shared something. My chest burned when I realized they both looked like Monroe. In the short time I’d spent with the Haldis Guide, he’d proven himself the best leader I’d ever known. We would all miss him in the fight to come.

“I’m glad Calla convinced you we’re the good guys,” Adne said, her voice more confident now.

Ren nodded. “I’m sorry about your father.”

“Our father.” She hesitated and then took a step forward, reaching her hands toward Ren.

He wrapped her small, slender fingers in his. They stood like that for a moment. Then Adne leaned into him, resting her head against his chest.

Ren looked startled, but he quickly wrapped his arms around her.

He had to clear his throat before he could say, “You know, I always thought it would be cool to have a kid sister.”

“Be careful what you wish for.” Adne looked up at him and grinned. “I’m kind of a brat.”

Ren laughed.

I couldn’t help myself. “She’s not kidding.”

“Thanks, Lily.” Adne glared at me, but she was laughing too. “What do you say we continue trading insults where we’re less likely to be in mortal peril?”

“She calls you Lily?” Ren was gazing at her, astonished.

I groaned. “She does.”

“Great minds.” He flashed a wicked smile at me before winking at her.