Shadow

9

Teval touches his earring, altering the tag just for Lexton and whispers, "Put it back. Before anyone else sees."

Lexton crouches down to do as he says, and within seconds, the floor is as it was, pristine and untouched. Air just won't pull into Teval's lungs. He never thought he would actually see an alchemic attribute in action.

Teval's heart pounds in his ears as the rest of the team enters and he holds up a hand. "Anyone have cuffs?" he asks, trying to act as if it's any other catch.

Risol tosses a pair over, and Teval quickly approaches the attacker, who has turned around and crawled toward a window, blood dripping from a gash along his jaw where Lexton's transformation hit him. Teval quietly sits him up to take his hands and cuff him, and Ista joins him to silently check the injury.

"He has a concussion and will be dizzy for a while, but he'll survive," she determines.

With a nod Teval stands, and Delian approaches him with a frown. "Is something wrong? It feels way more tense in here than normal. Nilin seems to be okay."

Teval turns to see Lexton assuring Nilinya as more of her guards enter. As she hugs the younger man, his eyes meet Teval's before quickly dropping.

"Are you okay?" Delian asks, frowning in confusion.

"I'm fine," he says as he touches her shoulder and makes a sound shield around their upper halves. "I just saw what his attribute was really capable of."

Her eyes widen as he drops the shield, but they can't speak on it. Kardin enters the room with Chaelon and other higher ranked officials. Delian curses softly as she sees the crowd, then says quietly to Teval, "We'll talk after." He nods and crouches to get the bounty to his feet and hold him, allowing Ista to join the others as Delian approaches Nilinya.

"Thank you so much for being here," the ambassador tells her, nodding her head respectfully. "I don't think I would have survived that without Lexton's quick thinking."

"I'm glad you're okay," Delian tells her. "Do you mind if we take credit for his capture?"

"By all means, you all deserve the bounty," she offers.

Delian thanks her, and the two hug. Teval glances over to see Lexton talking quietly with Risol, Seran and Ista. The three all turn their eyes on Teval at the same time, and the weight of their gazes makes Teval feel like an outsider again. He hates that he always has been. They don't have time for discussions, though, because as Delian joins Teval to take the bounty, Jiyo walks in with his team.

"You've got to be kidding me," he mutters when he sees the two of them next to the attacker. "You again?"

Delian grins. "Did you miss me?"

Jiyo ignores her and levels his gaze at Teval as he crosses his arms. "How did I just know you'd be here? Are you having fun?"

"You think it's fun cleaning up after you?" Teval retorts, unable to help himself despite knowing Jiyo could ruin all of this for him. "You're the one who let him in."

Jiyo shoots a glare at his academy team, who all visibly wince before he turns back to Teval. "You would know who the real weak links are."

"As if the leader can't take any of the blame. Sorry, I mean supervisor," he quips.

Jiyo scoffs. "Have you been having fun out on your own? Gallivanting around the city? You and your stupid little mi—"

"Jiyo Attenel," Kardin's deep voice cuts through the air to interrupt him. The director raises an eyebrow as Jiyo spins to face him. "Why don't you go downstairs and reassure the guests who remain that everything is secure and that they are able to head home safely?"