“That’s easy for you to say,” I snap. “You weren’t front-row when he tried to barbecue me.”

Colton exhales sharply. “I’m not saying you have to trust him. I’m saying… if he’s offering to fix this, maybe it’s worth hearing him out.”

I look at him, his eyes earnest, pleading. The weight in his tone, the way he talks about Silas and his dragon, makes it hard to dismiss outright. Even as I shake my head, I know I’m gonna try. Because he’s right: the upside is way higher than the downside. We could find out where Roxana is—or at least what her plans are.

“Fine,” I say, my voice flat. “But I’m not giving him my number.”Lord, Tomas would have kittens.

Colton pulls his phone from his pocket. “Not a problem. Use mine.” He slides it across the table, the message app already open to a blank screen.

“You’re really not giving me a choice, are you?” I mutter, picking up the phone.

“Nope,” he says, leaning back with a satisfied smile. “You’re gonna thank me for this.Eventually.”

“I doubt it.” My fingers hover over the keyboard as I debate what to say.

Colton’s grin widens as I type out the first message.

Sunday (Colton’s phone)

Colton said you wanted to talk. What do you want?

This is Sunday, by the way. You might remember me from the cavern.

Silas

Thank you for messaging me. I wasn’t sure you’d even read this.

Sunday

Get to the point.

Silas

I owe you an apology. I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I want to try to make things right.

Sunday

You tried to kill me. Why would Itrust anything you say?

Silas

I didn’t know who you were then. I didn’t understand.

Sunday

And now you do?

Silas

My dragon hasn’t stopped mourning what we did to you. He’s… broken. And so am I.

I hesitate, rereading the message. My thumb hovers over the screen before I type back.

Sunday

What do you mean?

Silas