Ren fit in faster than Dante expected, his easy warmth smoothing over the awkwardness of integrating a stranger into their tight-knit group.
The big man made Astrid laugh with terrible jokes that she pretended to hate, listened to Ravenna's stories about growing up in the Tower with genuine interest, and watched him with the quiet respect of someone who recognized leadership without needing it explained.
"He's natural," Ravenna observed on their second day together, watching Ren help Astrid adjust her combat stance. "I can see why you were friends in your other life."
"He's the same person." He didn't take his eyes off the pair since training started. "Same sense of humor. Same protective instincts. Same terrible taste in jokes."
"That bothers you?" She tilted her head, studying his expression.
