The following Saturday evening, Mailah and Chloe somehow convinced Grayson to leave the quiet isolation of the estate and visit the annual Village Autumn Fair.
The main square had been transformed into a bright, noisy maze of striped game booths, golden string lights, and food stalls selling hot cider and fried pastries. The cool night air carried the rich scent of toasted sugar, woodsmoke, and autumn leaves.
Grayson stood near the center of the crowd, looking like a high-fashion shadow that had lost its way. He wore a heavy black wool coat, his hands resting casually in his pockets as he navigated the sea of people without touching a single person. Humans seemed to part for him naturally, instinctively stepping aside to let the tall, striking man pass.
