Cinder was growing impatient.
Eagle and Soot hadn't been back, and hours had passed.
"Jacques, what time is it?" She asked the HiveWing, knowing of his internal clock.
Jacques looked up at her, confused. "Around sunset. Why?"
"When did Soot and Eagle leave?"
Jacques thought for a moment. "Probably around midday. Again, why?"
"Hmm. It's been far too long. What's the holdup?"
Suddenly, a flock of RainWing guards flew towards Comet's treehouse. The Ragtags all looked up, knowing what that meant.
"Those little traitors!" Cinder exclaimed.
"I think that's our cue to leave!" Ronin exclaimed, flying off, Jacques and Comet not too far behind him, Angel on Comet's back.
Cinder stayed behind. She pulled out her dagger, preparing to fight the army by herself.
Ronin looked back. "Cinder! What are you doing?!"
"Fighting 'em! What'd y'a think I was doin'?"
"Are you crazy?! You can't fight an army by yourself!"
"Just go, Ronin!" As the guards landed near Cinder, she threw daggers and arrows at them. She could only pray the others would be safe, and her efforts would save them time.
...
Ronin heard a voice slither in his mind. They're going to kill her. You can't let that happen to her, can you?
"Can it, IR," he muttered angrily. "If I know Cinder, she'll be able to fight them off."
But she's severely outnumbered. Maybe you can give her some backup. Let me take over, Ronin. I'm stronger than all of those puny RainWings combined.
"I said can it." A low growl erupted from Ronin's throat. Unfortunately, IR had a point. Maybe if he just let him out for a minute...
No, he told himself harshly. No unleashing IR.
Aww, why not? IR hissed in Ronin's mind.
Not until I can control you, Ronin answered.
IR laughed. You'll never be able to control me. I control you, Ronin. Don't get it twisted.
Which is exactly why I can't let you take over, Ronin replied.
But damn did he want to.
Come on, Ronin, IR hissed. Just for a bit.
Ronin sighed. If it helps Cinder...
...
Cinder heard talons thud behind her.
There's no way in Pyrhhia...
She turned around, growling lowly. It was IR.
Cinder cursed Ronin in her mind. The idiot.
IR lunged at the RainWings, killing them one by one. Cinder tried to ignore it and fought the other half of the army.
Soon, all the RainWings were dead. Cinder turned to IR, who was devouring a corpse.
Cinder, albeit a cannibal, had never felt more sick to her stomach.
IR then turned around, blood dripping from his mouth. He stalked forward to Cinder. Even with his height, he still looked up at her.
Cinder chuckled. "A cannibal. That's new."
IR laughed. "Not at all, Cinder. I've been devouring my victims since I overtook your pathetic son's life."
Cinder huffed. "I'll make sure you never harm him again, if it's the last thing I do."
IR's eyes flickered for a moment before his body fell to the wooden floor. Cinder looked down at IR, circling him, then inevitably sitting next to him.
Soon, the large HiveWing shrunk, and the all familiar RainWing sat in his place. Ronin opened his eyes. The red tint was more noticeable now.
Ronin's gaze landed on Cinder, who huffed. He sheepishly smiled, sitting up. "Hi, Cin."
"You idiot. Don't you think before you let 'im loose?"
"I-I wanted to help you..."
"You can help by savin' y'er energy on fightin' 'im, not lettin' him take over, and riskin' y'er control over him!"
Ronin looked down. "I-I'm sorry, Cinder..."
Cinder huffed. "From now on, focus on fightin' him. I don't ever wanna see you let 'im out again. Y'a hear me?"
Ronin nodded silently, a tear falling from his face.
Comet, Angel, and Jacques landed next to Cinder and Ronin. Cinder looked to Jacques. "How do we ensure we can get rid of IR?"
Jacques looked at Ronin, then Angel, then Cinder. "There's one thing we haven't told you yet."
Ronin looked up at Cinder. "We know who created the virus, and how."
Cinder nodded. "Tell me."
"An animus named StormCloud," Ronin said. "But I-IR killed him."
Cinder nodded. "So y'er sayin' maybe-"
"Maybe an animus can reverse the spell," Jacques interrupted.
"Maybe Eagle can," Comet said.
Cinder huffed. "Fine. Let's go find 'em. Knowin' Soot, he and Eagle are probably near the Royal Pavilion."
The others nodded.
"Let's just hope we don't get arrested while we try to find them," Jacques said.
"I can try and reason with Queen Passionfruit," Comet said.
The others nodded.
"Well, what're we waitin' f'er?" Cinder asked.
They all took off, heading towards the Royal Pavilion.
YOU ARE READING
Cinder: In No Way, a Hero || Book 3
Ficción General|| BOOK 3 || Cinder and Angel reunited, but where are the others? Has IR returned? Has Skyblaze gotten to them? Were they even alive? Cinder was willing to find any way to know, which leads to an unexpected alliance, disturbing secrets finally shar...
