Colson

Teeth and Theater

Colson POV

The air felt wrong the second I left Ezra’s office.

Not hostile.

Not aggressive.

Just… aware.

Like the city had tilted slightly and was now watching to see if I’d slip.

I didn’t look behind me.

I didn’t need to.

The rhythm of footsteps half a block back told me everything.

Measured.

Not hiding.

Not quite shadowing either.

Ezra’s men wanted me to know they were there.

That was the point.

Suspicion was a leash.

I rolled my shoulders slightly and let a slow grin settle on my face.

“Alright,” I muttered under my breath. “You want a show?”

I headed toward the lower district.

The part of the city where the lights flickered more than they shone. Where the buildings leaned inward like they were conspiring. Where humans lived because they couldn’t afford not to.

The fr