Hey guys!

Here's the next chapter, this is the point where I really start diving into the main plot. And you guys might hate me for it?

*hides somewhere on Luna*

But yeah, please don't kill me. All I can say is get ready for a feels trip.

Everyone- THIS THING ALREADY IS A FEELS TRIP!

Me- I'm sorry!

So, here's a small rant — no spoilers though.

I finished Attack on Titan on Monday.

I'm still not over it.

Save me.

SERIOUSLY THOUGH, I NEED A SEASON TWO!

The entire thing, from episode one, was a giant feels trip. Seriously though — new characters are introduced, I'm like "Hey, I really like this character!" and they literally die in the next few episodes! The thing seems a little boring till like, episode eight-ish. But I finally see why people love it so much! The character development is just — ugh! And the music is addicting... I'm reading the manga now, and if you haven't seen the show it's on Netflix, and the dub is on (the sub too).

•Cinder•

"You look lovely."

Kai and I where sitting out on his bedroom's balcony, enjoying the chilled late-January air, and watching how our breath fogged.

"Thanks." I said, fiddling with the lace gloves that went halfway to my elbows.

He studied my hands carefully, in silence. We had been sitting there for a few minutes before he spoke again.

"Why do you always wear gloves?"

I immediately grew red, searching for a way to avoid the question.

"N-no reason!" I said, intertwining my fingers. "I'm just more comfortable with them on. A sense of security, you know."

He smiled back at me, planting a small kiss on my forehead. "Come on, let's go join the others."

He took my hand, dragging me down through a series of halls and down the stairs into a small ballroom. I swear, the entire school had to be there!

"You didn't tell me so many people would be here!" I said, playfully hitting his shoulder.

He sighed. "Thorne invited most of them, and news spread, so people invited themselves."

"I guess this party is kind of a big event." I joked.

"Well, it is the first one we're having here." He said, a shocked expression crossed my face.

"Seriously? Mr. Popular has never had a high school party at his house?"

"Stop picking on me!"

"Yeah, not gonna happen."

We laughed, before Kai had to leave to welcome some of the other guests. I turned away, heading to the small table Iko and Émilie where sitting.

"Where are the others?" I asked as I sat down.

The two glanced at each other mischievously, and Iko shrugged nonchalantly. "Thorne is showing Cress around, Scarlet is hanging out with the street fighter, and Winter dragged the guard off to dance."

"I see." I said, smirking. "Iko, it amazes me how much you involve yourself with our love lives, yet we aren't allowed to get involved in yours."

"Pft, please. I've never stopped you."

Émilie glanced at her partner in crime. "Iko, why don't you tell Cinder about that guard? What was his name? Kenn-"

Iko suddenly threw herself across the table, placing both hands over Émilie's mouth, preventing her from finishing.

"Oooooo! Does Iko finally have a boyfriend?" I teased, and Iko's cheeks turned as red as Scarlet's hair.

"No way! That guy is a complete and utter idiot! I hate his guts!" Iko shouted.

I chuckled lightly. "Lower your voice Iko, you're attracting attention!"

She rolled her eyes, looking past me. Suddenly her eyes widened, a look of shock — then pure rage — crossed her face.

"No way." She muttered.

"Look who's here." She rasped, then proceeded to call her something very unpleasant. (Hint- it starts with a B.)

I hesitated, then slowly followed her gaze. My eyes widened with hatred. Standing by a very awkward and annoyed Kai, was the devil herself.

Pearl.

She was giggling, obviously flirting with the poor boy. She grabbed his hand as a new song came on, and started to dance with him.

Clenching my fists, I began to stand. Unfortunately I felt a gentle hand grabbing my wrist, I looked back. Iko was holding me back, the look of rage still strong on her pretty face.

"Iko," I said through gritted teeth. "Let me go."

"I-I'm sorry Cinder, but I can't." She whispered. "You know Pearl, that backstabbing demon. She would find something to hold against you."

I groaned, admitting defeat, and slumped back into my seat. I mumbled several disrespectful things about Satan under my breath while watching her through glaring eyes. She was laughing and talking to Kai, suddenly she glanced in my direction. My eyes widened as she started whispering something in his ear. A smirk was plastered against her face.

Suddenly a sad expression crossed Kai's face, and he replied to her.

I shut my eyes, probably knowing how the conversation was going.

I'm so sorry for you having to deal with my idiot cyborg ex-sister. Oh? You didn't know about her stupid prosthetics! Yeah, she's an idiot, you shouldn't trust her!

Suddenly I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. I looked up to find Kai standing there, smiling. Turning my head I saw a very pissed off demon staring at me.

"Come on, Cinder. Let's dance." He pulled me up, bringing me to the dance floor as a slow song came on.

"I don't think this is a good idea, I'll probably end up killing the both of us."

He smiled. "Don't worry, I'v danced with people who literally have two left feet before."

A small smile formed on my face, and I followed his lead as the dance started.

"I bet you're wandering why Pearl was talking to me." He said suddenly.

"Actually, yeah... kinda..."

He sighed. "I figured." He looked saddened, and a bit pissed off. "She started talking about how Peony's death was your fault, and apologizing that I had to deal with you every day."

Of course. "Oh..."

"She's an idiot, I can't believe that you lived with her for all those years."

"It wasn't so bad with Peony around." I said sadly.

"She seemed like a lovely girl, from what I saw of her in the halls."

I smiled, "Yeah, she was amazing."

We danced in silence for a few minutes, until the song ended suddenly.

"That was nice." Kai said, grinning.

"Yeah..." I replied, simply.

His phone started to buzz from his pocket. He pulled out his phone, and cursed. "Sorry Cinder, my dad just texted saying an important business partner just arrived. I have to go meet her. I'll be back in a minute."

"That's fine, Kai. I'll see you in a bit."

He smiled, planting a small kiss on my lips. "Thanks, Cinder. See you later!" he said, running off.

Suddenly a hand grabbed my wrist, dragging me to the edge of the dance floor. I turned to find Winter there, a worried expression on her face.

"What's wrong, Winter?"

"My Selene, you have to get out of here. Now!"

"Wha-?" She dragged me into the hall, running towards the garden. "How do you know who I really am?"

She turned to face me as we reached the garden's steps.

"I've known since I first saw you. I could never forget you, you where my only friend for the longest time." she exclaimed sadly. "Until you became the pile of girl-shaped ashes."

"Okay, you're insane. I get that. But why are you telling me to leave?"

A grim fear filled her eyes.

"Step-mother is here." She explained, "She wants you dead, and she will kill you without hesitation."

"But how-" Realization hit me, she was the business partner. The Commonwealth companies did a lot of trade with Asia, and it's biggest trade partner was China. How could I be so stupid.

"I already explained everything to Scarlet-Friend and the others. Scarlet-Friend is waiting outside the garden in her truck. You must meet her, quickly! Levana already knows you're here somehow, and knows who you are. You have to run!"

Suddenly we heard voices in the hall, and my body went still. One of the voices was warm and comforting, but the other as warm and comforting as ice.

"What is out this way." The cold voice asked.

"That's the garden, we might not want to go out there. It's a bit rainy."

"That's fine." the girl (obviously Levana) shot back.

I started to run down the stairs, not paying attention to the water polling on the steps. I hadn't realized how much the rain had picked up. It was no longer a small drizzle.

I felt a click in my ankle, I mentally cursed.

Not now.

Not now.

Not now.

I let out a small scream as I fell. And I saw Kai run through the door as I fell. Time seemed to stand still in that moment as he took in the sight of my foot flying off, the tights I was wearing ripped and revealed the metal leg. I braced myself for the impact, knowing that it would be quite painful from this height alone, not to mention the path's gravel. Suddenly another figure appeared in the doorway. A cruel expression on her veiled face. My eyes widened.

I hit the ground, the pain racing through my body. I felt warm liquid run down my face, I must've cut my forehead. I knew my arms and legs must've been extremely cut up, parts possibly shredded from the small rocks.

That pain was nothing compared to what I felt when I saw Kai, a look of disgust on his face as he bent down to pick up the metal foot. Disgust and... betrayal?

The last thing I heard was Levana, "She's a wanted criminal, we have to take her back to stand trial. You see, this was the reason I came."

I felt dry tears trail down my face as my consciousness faded away.