Your sister.

Joe nodded.

“Who’re you talking to?” Jack asked from behind him.

Joe hadn’t realized that she’d only spoken to him.

“Anwatan,” Joe said.

“Yeah?”

Jack started to turn, but then the dogs came out of the dark, circling around them.

This is where he is, Anwatan said, sending Joe an image.

Joe recognized the cliffs by the lakeshore that she showed him. It was the place where the deer people held their blessing ceremonies.

He’ll be waiting for you when you’re done.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” he told her.

Thank you, she said, and then she was gone.

Joe focused now on the dogs that stood watching him.

“You want to tell these boys we’re the good guys?” Jack said.

You don’t have to, Honey said.

She gave a sharp bark and the pack faded back into the night. But not far, Joe knew.

“You can turn around,” Joe told Jack. “We’re good now.”

Jack scooted around so that he was also facing Honey.

“Hey, Honey,” he said. “Long time no see.”

I remember you. You were with Joe the last time we helped Jilly.

“Yeah, that goes back a bit, doesn’t it? And here we are again.”

I’m always ready to help Joe.

Jack nodded. “I know the feeling.” He studied her for a moment, then added, “You’ve changed. You weren’t near so articulate the last time we met. Next thing you’ll be walking around on your hind legs like some five-fingered being.”

I will never take human shape, she told him. All it does is bring trouble into the world.

Joe gave her a look of surprise. The last time they’d talked about this she’d seemed keen on the idea. Then he realized that seeing Del must have reminded her of the freak who’d run her in the fighting pits.

“I don’t know,” Jack said. “It’s got its benefits.”

I would rather be deaf and dumb again, than walk on my hind legs.

“Ouch.”

“You about done here?” Joe asked.

Jack spread out his hands. “Just making conversation, Joe.” He turned to Honey. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”

I know. I’m . . . She paused as though needing to find just the right word. Unused to diplomacy.

“No, it was my bad.”

“I hate to break into the bonding here,” Joe asked, “But what happened to Jilly? One moment I know she’s back and safe, the next she’s right off my radar again.”

Honey explained, keeping it as brief as possible.

“Manj, I thought we were busy,” Jack said.

Joe nodded. “So you just let her go back?”

A low growl rumbled in Honey’s chest, but when she spoke, her voice was calm in their heads.