The atmosphere inside the inn was suffocating, thick with tension as the guard stood his ground. His eyes gleamed with a mix of defiance and triumph, emboldened by the authority he believed he wielded. His earlier smirk returned, this time with a sharper edge as he leaned slightly forward, his voice dripping with disdain.

"You think you can threaten me and get away with it?" he sneered, glaring at Raziel before his gaze flicked to Layla. "The law is on my side, and you? You're nobody. Let's see how far this little bluff of yours gets you."

Layla remained unflappable, her calm gaze a stark contrast to the guard's growing frustration.

Her silence seemed to provoke him further, his composure beginning to crack. Meanwhile, Raziel's imposing figure didn't waver, his presence a clear warning that he wouldn't hesitate to act if pushed. The guard, however, was too consumed by his own arrogance to notice the precariousness of his position.

"Step aside now," the guard demanded, attempting to inject authority into his tone. "Or face the consequences." He reached for his weapon, his fingers curling around the hilt as if to underline his threat.

Raziel's eyes narrowed, and his voice cut through the room like a blade. "You're outmatched. Walk away while you still can."

The guard scoffed, mistaking Raziel's steady tone for a bluff. "Big talk for someone about to be outnumbered. You think I'm scared of you?" He tugged at his arm, attempting to free himself from Raziel's iron grip, but Raziel didn't budge.

Instead, with a single, fluid motion, he twisted the guard's wrist and forced him to his knees. The guard let out a pained grunt, his free hand instinctively reaching toward the enchanted rune embedded in his armor.

Layla's calm voice broke the silence. "This doesn't have to escalate. Leave now, and no one has to get hurt."

But the guard's pride had been wounded, and his anger flared. "You'll regret this!" he spat, his voice cracking with frustration.

His fingers activated the rune on his armor, sending a pulse of magic into the air. The crackling energy burst outward, a translucent signal shooting into the sky above the inn.

It shimmered for a moment before dispersing, leaving an ominous stillness in its wake.

The innkeeper, who had been quietly watching the scene from behind the counter, let out a strangled gasp.

The other patrons froze, their earlier whispers replaced by a fearful silence. Raziel remained motionless, still pinning the guard, though his jaw tightened at the sound of distant armored footsteps approaching.

"Reinforcements," Raziel muttered under his breath, his eyes flicking toward the door.

The guard, despite his position on the floor, smirked through the pain. "You're finished now," he hissed. "Let's see how tough you are when you're surrounded."

The room seemed to hold its breath as the guard's smug expression deepened, his earlier humiliation momentarily forgotten.

The shimmering burst of magic he had released into the air served as a beacon, a silent call for reinforcements that no doubt echoed across the city's law enforcement channels.

The signal had vanished as quickly as it appeared, but its effects were immediate. Outside, the distant clamor of boots on cobblestones grew louder, a steady and ominous rhythm of approaching guards.

Raziel maintained his grip on the guard's arm, his expression unchanged, though his posture shifted ever so slightly, preparing for the inevitable clash.

Layla stood beside him, her calm demeanor unwavering as her sharp eyes flicked toward the inn's entrance.

Mary, standing just behind them, frowned and adjusted the edges of her cloak, clearly displeased at the development but unwilling to speak against Layla's apparent decision to keep the peace.

The guard, emboldened by the growing noise outside, chuckled darkly despite the awkward angle at which Raziel held him. "You're done for now," he taunted, his voice thick with malice. "You think you can just defy the city guard and walk away? You've sealed your fate."

His words were met with silence. Layla didn't respond, and neither did Raziel. The tension in the room thickened, the air practically buzzing with unease.

The innkeeper, whose earlier warm hospitality had given way to visible fear, peeked out from behind the counter, his face pale. The few patrons who hadn't yet fled were frozen in their seats, their eyes darting between the intruders and the guard.

The sound of marching boots drew closer, the metallic clinking of armor audible now. The first pair of guards stormed into the inn, their eyes quickly assessing the scene. Behind them, more figures began to file in, each bearing the unmistakable crest of the city's authority.

"What's going on here?" the lead guard demanded, his voice booming in the confined space. He was older, with a graying beard and a commanding presence. His eyes darted to the man pinned on the floor and then to Raziel, who remained unbothered by the mounting threat.

"This lot assaulted me," the pinned guard spat, his voice dripping with venom. "They refused to comply with an inspection, attacked me, and are trying to cover their tracks. They're clearly up to something suspicious."

Raziel gave an audible sigh, as if the unfolding drama was more tedious than concerning. He finally released the guard's arm, and the man scrambled to his feet, nursing his injured wrist but stepping back behind the growing line of reinforcements.

"You failed to mention," Raziel said, his voice calm but carrying a sharp edge, "that you barged into our room in the middle of the night without cause and tried to force your way in."

The older guard raised a brow, his attention shifting to Layla. "What's your side of this?"

Layla's expression was unreadable. She gestured toward the commotion surrounding them and spoke in an even tone. "We've done nothing wrong. Your man here decided to take offense to that."

The pinned guard snarled, "Lies! They were conspiring—"

"That's enough," the older guard barked, silencing his subordinate. He turned his sharp gaze back to Layla, scrutinizing her carefully.

"Whether you've done anything wrong or not, this situation has escalated beyond what I'm willing to ignore. You will come with us to the city barracks to resolve this matter. If you're innocent, you have nothing to worry about."