Grayson's POV

I heard them in the hallway before I saw them.

The particular sound of two small people trying to be quiet and not quite managing it — Lira's whisper too loud, Baron shushing her, the shuffle of feet stopping outside the door.

Then a knock. Very precise. Baron's knock.

"Come in."

They came in together, hands linked, which they only did when something felt serious to them. Lira was wearing the expression she got when she'd decided to be brave. ...