We trudged along the broken trail, climbing down from the Frostback Mountains. Everyone was happy to be leaving that mess behind. Me especially. It had me looking toward the future again. Well, toward the next few days at any rate. I refused to look too far into the future because a big, fucking, scary-ass archdemon, who was going to kill me and everyone I loved most, lurked there. So instead, I looked into the very, very near future and I saw... myself learning a new shapeshifter form!

"Danny?" I said, jostling my companion out of his quiet contemplation.

"Yes, Lucy?" he replied.

"What shapeshifter form should I learn next, do you think?" I thought I'd gather his input this time. "You know, you always complain I have cold feet at night. If I were a fuzzy creature, I might be warmer to sleep next to. How about a lovely Bengal tigeress? Do they have tigers here? Maybe I could do it just from memory."

"I don't know what a tiger is, Sister."

"What about a bear? That would be easy to learn, Morrigan already knows it."

"You'd be too big to fit into the tent, I think."

"Are you saying I'd look fat in that form?" I narrowed my eyes and glared at him.

"Of course not, mon chéri, you would look svelte as a bear, I am certain."

"Liar," I said, enjoying making Riordan uncomfortable. "Well, what do you think? What sort of animal should I learn next?"

"I think..." Riordan mused, "a sheep".

"A... sheep?" I looked at him incredulously. "Why on earth a sheep?"

Zevran trotted up behind us. "What is all this mutinous talk... err, I mean, muttonous chatter about sheep?"

Riordan grinned at Zevran. "Lucy was just asking which animal form she should learn next. I suggested a sheep."

I shook my head at Zevran. "I just don't understand why a sheep. They're not exactly fearsome in battle and I can't imagine sleeping next to one is all that nice."

Zevran chuckled. "Ah, yes, a sheep." He winked knowingly at Riordan.

"What?" I sputtered. "You can't seriously... No! Just no!" I glared at both men. "That's sick!"

Riordan shrugged. "What if the sheep consents?"

"Sheep can't consent!" I howled.

"But you could." He grinned victoriously at Zevran. "I run rings around her logically."

I fumed and spluttered until Riordan threw an arm around me. "I'm just teasing, little Sister. I think you would make a splendid tigress, whatever that is."

"It's a beautiful, large cat with deadly claws and teeth." I glared at Riordan. "They eat the male of the species after mating with them." I decided to add.

Riordan and Zevran exchanged a worried look.

I smiled contentedly, like a cat with a bowl of cream.