Chapter 216

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*- Leilah*

This is the 216th chapter of *unORDINARY*.

## Summary

The Spectre agents corner Leilah, and force her to talk to the boss of Spectre. On call, the boss accuses her of taking unauthorized moves. Leilah argues saying that she was granted permission to speak to Target 93 (Seraphina), especially given her pitiable state. She then demands why the boss pulsed an entire cafe, to which the boss responds that he doesn't have to answer to her. Leilah counters, saying that if word of the pulsing spread, the entire organization would be jeopardized, and it would be the boss' fault. She reveals that Target 93 has already been evacuated, and that the Spectre agents should clear up the mess they made.

Back at L39, Seraphina sits down and reflects on how disastrous that meeting ended up being. Arlo proposes she gets up so they can search for a way out of here. Seraphina tells him he can go on without her. She's invested in hearing more from Leilah. Arlo has a hard time understanding how she can still be interested in sticking around after they narrowly escaped an ambush. He doesn't think that Leilah should be so easily trusted, but Seraphina points out the if it wasn't for her, they would have had no escape at all. Seraphina also admits that Leilah's promise to help restore her ability isn't something she can afford to pass up. Arlo asks what Leilah sought in return. Seraphina doesn't mention that she was asked to work for an organization that developed an Ability Disabler, but Arlo guesses it in one. He advises her to think this over carefully. She declares that she already has, and concluded that she needs her ability back. The world they live in revolves around power, and it's hard to ignore. There's the old hierarchy, and these new ability modification tools. Both served as a reminder that only the strong get to make all the rules. Seraphina says she's aware of just how many chances she squandered to use her former top position for worthwhile causes. But she now has a long list of changes she wants to make. Arlo asks if that list included John. With the memories of his attack on Safe House still fresh in her mind, Seraphina says yes. But she makes it clear that her intentions extended beyond him and their school. She thinks back to Blyke and his angry tirade over how unfair it was that the strongest among them are exempt from consequences. In order to make the sweeping changes necessary, Seraphina would need all the power she could get.

Suddenly, their teleporting rescuer comes to, and expresses surprise and relief that they decided to stick around. Despite services rendered, Seraphina and Arlo decide they want some answers. The teleporter is glad that Seraphina is expressing interest, which she says is only a natural considering they were the ones who stripped her of power. The stranger clarifies that he wasn't part of the group that drugged her, but Seraphina retorts that all Spectre operatives seemed to blend together. With the stranger at a loss on how to explain himself, Arlo demands to know who he is and why his own allies were hunting him. The stranger introduces himself as Kayden, Leilah's subordinate. As for the persecution, there's been a "slight" conflict of interest within Spectre. Seraphina noticed that Leilah was in a rush to get the meeting over with. She asked if those agents attacked them because they weren't supposed to collude. Kayden says he can't divulge information without authorization, nor can he speak for Leilah. What he does share is a warning: many people are after Seraphina. When she asks why, he answers that it's because she's the most powerful person they've ever encountered, and she's currently vulnerable. Seraphina asks if he's referring to her being disabled. Kayden confirms this, and tells that Leilah entered negotiations with her superiors shortly after learning what happened. In the end, it was decided that the best way to protect Seraphina from danger was to have her work for Leilah.

Arlo cuts in with more questions of his own. All this talk of "the others" is suspicious, since there doesn't seem to be any meaningful differences. Kayden claims that not everybody is trying to disable every high-tier they come across. Arlo interprets this as an admission of trying to take down some of them. Kayden's silence indicates he's not allowed to share more. So Arlo asks if the other faction is affiliated with EMBER. Kayden is curious to know why Arlo would ask something like that. Arlo answers that EMBER and Spectre are too alike, targeting high-tiers and attacking them with the help of ability-manipulating substances. This knowledge of operations impresses Kayden, since it wasn't even broadcast on the news. Alas, he tells Arlo that he's on the wrong track. Spectre is unaffiliated with EMBER, which is a shame when considering that the latter organization has the resources of the Authorities backing them up. This statement catches Arlo off-guard, and he demands clarification. Wondering if he was too quick to judge Arlo as knowledgeable, Kayden explains that EMBER is a special task force created and backed by the Authorities. This revelation leaves Arlo in horrified disbelief.

## Appearing Characters

* Spectre Agents
* Leilah
* ***The Boss*** (obscured)
* Seraphina
* Arlo
* **Kayden**
* John (flashback)
* *The Gossip Trio* (flashback)
* Safe House members
* Alden (flashback)
* Blyke (flashback)

## Appearing Abilities

* Aura Manipulation (flashback)
* Phase Shift (flashback, copied)