The Prison of Luna

Cinder

CINDER thought she knew anxiety. She had been to a royal ball in a wrinkled gown covered in grease stains. She had kissed a prince and shouted at the top of her lungs that he loved her right in front of the most evil witch she had ever known. She had stormed a castle with nothing but her wits and a tranquilizer dart-shooting hand.

Even then, she hadn't seen Levana. She hadn't been present when they had all been captured. She had seen her in the ball room, but since then, she hadn't been in her presence.

Now, she was right there. Her glamour was overpowering, like a very strong perfume. It filled her senses and almost made her eyes water (if she had tear ducts, that is).

She had long harnessed the power of her Lunar ability, and even now, it was like a well just after rain, there was so much to draw from it. She could sense other Lunars and the power of their gifts, almost like sonar. She had learned to mask her trace from Jacin.

She tried not to think of Jacin.

Anyway, she was able to hide her presence from other Lunars. No doubt Levana could do it too, but she wasn't even trying. The raw power of her gift wafted off her like a toxic gas, and Cinder found it hard to concentrate.

Of course, her fake glamour beauty was just as intoxicating as her gift. With a start, Cinder realized she could look even more gorgeous than Levana could, Dr. Errand had told her. She obviously didn't make a habit of using her glamour.

Cinder shook the thoughts, from her head, she needed to focus.

Pearl waved sarcastically as Cinder checked over her shoulder. Her, Cinder, Scarlet and Wolf crept closer to the room Levana was hidden in. She was so close. The gun at Cinder's hip, the one Wood had given her, suddenly felt heavy in it's holster.

Could she do it? When the time came, could she actually hold a gun to Levana's head and pull the trigger? Levana had almost done it, she would have if it weren't for Cinder's ability to resist control.

She pushed the thought away. That time would come. She needed to focus on the task at hand.

"All cameras are down," Cress said in Cinder's ear through an earpiece. "Disabling the door ..." It was just now that Cinder began to really appreciate Cress. Without her, they'd all be dead by now.

"Guard coming to your ... left." This time it was Thorne, talking urgently into Cinder's ear. Cinder glanced back at Wolf, and just as the guard realized they were there, he was tackled by a six foot storm of furious claws and teeth.

Wolf was by their side again in two seconds flat, and they crept on.

"Doors disabled," Cress finally said. "You are clear to go."

"Be careful." Cinder recognized Wood's voice, and couldn't help but smile.

"Give 'em hell," Thorne finished.

The comms went silent, and they were alone.

Cinder sensed Levana's presence. The queen was moving about the room, until she stopped. She must have sat down.

The door to her room whistled open, and Levana's gift spiked. Cinder held up a hand for them to wait.

This is what she ha been training for, it was now or never.

She let out a long breath, leveled her sense, and reached out to Levana.

It was like two tides rushing against each other, forcing one another to go their way. Cinder fought, but Levana's gift was incredibly strong. She was knocked back several times, physically knocked back like she had been punched. Cinder had been punched before, but this was like being punched in the brain: a thousand times more painful. She sweated, trying to seize hold of Levana.