Victor offered a tired smile. "Just glad I was fast enough."
She bowed politely and stepped away, leaving the two of them alone again.
Alyss crossed her arms. "For what it's worth… I'm sorry."
Victor stared at her. "You should sue her."
Alyss laughed bitterly. "Sue Zara Feng? That's rich."
"I'm serious."
She looked at him like he'd grown another head. "Victor, even if we filed a complaint, even if we had footage—which we do—it would never stick. She's a Mana Defense Officer. Level 57. You know what that means?"
"Yeah. It means she nearly threw me through the Earth's crust."
"It means," Alyss voiced with a low tone. "that she's protected. Untouchable. There are maybe thirty Awakeners in the whole city at that level. The government bends over backwards to keep them happy."
Victor was silent.
