Tobi’s POV
Dinner had settled into a quiet rhythm, the wine mellowing the last edges of tension between us. Lila looked relaxed for the first time since we arrived—her shoulders loose, her smile soft. I was just about to reach for the wine bottle when Thefros spoke.
“Funny you should ask,” he said casually, swirling the last of his wine. “I received a call a couple of days ago from your friend Matthew Lowell.”
My hand paused mid-pour.
“Matthew, huh?” I leaned back in my chair, curious. “What did he want?”
“He was asking if I’d heard from you recently,” Thefros replied, clearly amused. “Said you usually check in every few days but have gone radio silent.”
Lila glanced between us. “Who’s Matthew?”
I smiled at her. “He was—well, is—my best friend. He’s back in Aruyios. I used to check
