Echoed Lullabies (Lunar Chronicles x Reader)

Chapter 18

"Stop. Closing. Your. Eyes."

Wolf stood before Cinder, his right hand in mid-swing towards her ear. His body was still as stone—because she was holding him there, the strength of her Lunar gift keeping him at bay.

"It's easier to have them closed," Cinder hissed back.

Wolf struggled within the confines of control and his gaze flickered past her right as a thump between Cinder's shoulder blades sent her tumbling forward. Her forehead collided with Wolf's chest and his body released just in time to steady her.

"It also makes it easier for people to sneak up on you," I said from behind.

Cinder whirled around and scowled. "This isn't a game."

"Do I look like I'm playing around?" I said sharply. I took a step forward. "Closing your eyes makes you vulnerable. And vulnerability—"

"Vulnerability equals death, yeah, I know," Cinder sighed, repeating the phrase that's become a sort of mantra during the times I've trained her this past week.

"You have to learn to use the gift while still being aware of your surroundings, while still being active within them," Wolf told her.

"Active?"

Wolf stretched his neck to either side, eliciting a few pops, before shaking it out. "Yes, active. We could be facing dozens of soldiers at a time. With any luck, you'll be able to control nine or ten—although that's optimistic at this point."

She crinkled her nose at him.

"Which means you'll be vulnerable to countless more. You should be able to control me while still being fully present, both mentally and physically." He took a step back, pawing at his messy hair.

"Otherwise you'll be distracted and one of you guys might get shot," Thorne said from where he was leaning against the wall.

I didn't look in his direction. It was impossible without turning red from the shame of what had happened last week. Becoming unhinged, breaking down, Thorne having to drag me out of the room so I didn't claw Scarlet's eyes out. He'd seen me at my worst, my messiest, and that fact was difficult to ignore.

"'You guys?'" Cinder asked. "You're not including yourself in that statement?"

"Never underestimate a criminal mastermind's ability to escape danger."

Scarlet started laughing from where she sat cross-legged on a plastic storage crate, enjoying a bowl of oatmeal. "'Criminal mastermind'? We've been trying to figure out how to infiltrate the royal wedding for the past week, and so far your biggest contribution has been determining which of the palace rooftops is the most spacious so your precious ship doesn't get scratched in the landing."

A few light panels brightened along the ceiling. "I fully agree with Captain Thorne's priorities," said Iko, speaking through the ship's built-in speakers. "As this may be my big net debut, I'd like to be looking my best, thank you very much."

"Well said, gorgeous." Thorne winked up toward the speakers, even though Iko's sensors weren't sensitive enough to pick up on it. "And I would like the rest of you to note Iko's proper use of Captain when addressing me. You could all stand to learn a thing or two from her."

Scarlet laughed again, Wolf raised an eyebrow, unimpressed, and the cargo bay's temperature clicked up a couple degrees as Iko blushed from the flattery.

I watched as Cinder downed a glass of lukewarm water. Physical strain was evident, and while any time not spent on planning for Levana's downfall made me uneasy, I knew that the key piece in the revolution wouldn't be very useful if she was passing out from exhaustion all the time.