Ren didn't lower the chain lock right away. She studied Callum through the gap for a long moment, the way a woman studies a snake she isn't yet sure has fangs.
"Give me one reason," she said, "why I shouldn't let Darian handle you the way he clearly wants to."
"Because I'm the only person on this porch who can tell you who you're actually running from." Callum kept his hands visible, his voice steady despite four wolves and one very old, very capable woman on the other side of the door. "And because if I wanted this house burned to the ground, I wouldn't have knocked."
Ren looked back at Darian. He gave the smallest nod, and she slid the chain free.
Callum stepped inside slowly, glancing at the locks, the herbs, the photographs on the wall. Ash moved to stand between him and Lyra witho
