I whirled. Riley stood in the doorway, watching us, and my dragon perked at his arrival. “Everything all right?” he asked, his amber gaze flicking past me to Wes, then narrowing slightly. “What are you doing in here?”

Wes snorted before I could answer. “Bloody hatchling wanted me to send a message to her brother,” he replied, already back at his computer. I scowled at him over my shoulder, but his eyes were on the screen. “I told her that before she brought the whole of Talon and St. George down on our heads, she’d have to take it up with you.”

“Ember.” Riley’s voice, furious and horrified, made my stomach clench. I quickly moved back as he stepped through the frame and swiftly closed the door, glaring at me. “Tell me you didn’t try to contact Dante,” he growled, backing me into the room. “Do you want the organization to know exactly where we are? Do you want to wake up surrounded by Vipers? What were you thinking?”

“He’s my brother!” I protested.

“He’s part of the organization!” Riley shot back. “He was in direct contact with Lilith herself. Did you not learn your lesson last time? You gave him a choice—Talon or blood—and he chose Talon. He’ll do it again if given the chance.”

“I don’t believe that.” The tightness in my throat was back, and the corners of my eyes stung. I’d already had this argument with Wes, but it was harder with Riley. “I don’t believe Dante would willingly hurt me,” I said, steadying myself under his accusing glare. “I think Talon is using him, and he doesn’t understand who they are, or what they’re capable of. If I could just reach him, make him see—”

“How?” Riley demanded, stepping forward. “What are you going to say? How do you think you’re going to convince him?” He poked his chest, glaring at me. “I’ve been on the inside, I know how the organization works. Every second he’s there, Talon’s influence on him gets stronger. They’ll smile and pat his back and promise that he’s doing the right thing, that this is for the good of us all, and he’ll believe them. He’ll accept everything they say without question, because they believe it, too. And even if you could somehow change his mind, how do you think you’re going to get him out? He’s too deep within the organization to risk contact.” Riley shook his head, giving me an exasperated smirk. “I’m not storming Talon headquarters, Firebrand, even for you.”

I briefly closed my eyes against the angry stinging. “He’s my brother,” I said once more, raising my chin to stare Riley down. “I won’t give up on him. There has to be a way. And if you won’t help me, then I’ll do it myself.”