Reen was Vin's older half-brother, a skaa thief. He and Vin had the same mother–a skaa–but his father was not Tevidian, Vin's Obligator father. Reen raised Vin after finding their youngest sister dead and their mother insane. Vin's mother had pierced Vin's ear with a bronze earring and was calling her a queen. He took Vin and fled. Reen told Vin repeatedly that no one could be trusted and that everyone would leave and betray you if given the chance, even telling her that one day he would leave her. In the end, Vin realized Reen loved her.