I won't surrender until surrounded Who: Grayson Mudali and Verena Schell Where: Heme When: Evening
Grayson should have been at the debate, and he knew it. He could've rearranged the schedule, Heme ran fine without him there for a night and he had plenty of staffing. He couldn't lie, it would have been amusing to see Liliya put Cameron Calvert in his place. Regardless of whatever he thought about the woman personally, when it came to politics, Liliya was damn good at what she did. Grayson trusted her to represent Scarlet Oak's vampire population, at least in this respect.
No, given what had happened to Eric, and that Gray trusted his friend to tell him the truth about it, it would be better if he stayed away from the debate. Grayson Mudali was good with words, yes, and good with the public, but there was no way he could sit there and listen as Calvert dragged Eric's name and reputation through the mud, so to speak. Enough damage had been done already, thanks to the media. And with the attack so recent, of course it was going to come up in conversation.
So, before Grayson did something he would later regret, he convinced himself that Heme needed him tonight. And, perhaps, he'd see if Saoirse was free afterward. Maybe she wouldn't convince him that the bigoted idiots in town needed to die, but he hoped she might want to keep him company. At least here he could keep a glass of blood in his hand, swirling it absentmindedly like he used to do with his scotch (and his wine, and his martinis....) and watch the bar below.