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Cinder's POV:

A Crashed Meeting

I really hate these after school meetings.

Sure, I actually receive my education and get to see the rest of my friends, but I definitely don't like hanging around in a building that looks like it can collapse at any moment. Also, I had to take that pop-quiz in history class today (which I'm pretty sure I failed). Damn Erland and his love of education!

"Well, the good news is that there have been no other werewolf attacks like at that party."

Speak of the devil.

"The bad news is that there could be werewolves milling around the general populace in human form right now, perfectly positioned for another attack."

"So… the good news means absolutely nothing then." Iko clarifies.

"The good news is fact! The bad news is purely theoretical! That counts for something!"

"So you're just being a pessimist? Is that what you're saying?"

"No!"

I roll my eyes at my partners. How have I put up with these two for all these years?

"Have either of you stopped to consider the notion that we're going about this in entirely the wrong way?" I snap.

Iko looks at me, eyes bright with interest. Erland looks a bit more apprehensive.

"These werewolves are away from Levana's sphere of control. Here, they have a chance at rebellion, a chance to live their own lives! If we can just make them realise that, they'll start allowing themselves a taste of the freedom they never had! Then, we can promise them a chance to live a life like that, but on Luna."

Iko claps her hands and catcalls, mimicking an applause while Erland rubs his forehead in frustration. "As nice as that idea sounds Cinder, all that'll do is give us a werewolf infestation. Why would this oppressed species choose to make their world better when they can just live in this one? It's about a thousand times easier after all! And besides, there's bioelectric sickness to consider-"

"They'll have protection. If they didn't, then those werewolves at the party would have been writhing in pain on the dance floor instead of actually bringing down teenagers."

"I wouldn't be surprised if the necessary technologies to provide that protection have been modified to be operated remotely. They could be turned off if the werewolves don't return. They wouldn't last a full year on Earth if that happened!"

I throw my head back and groan. Why does Dr Erland have to be so logical all the time?

"Okay, so we're clearly not going to make any progress on the werewolves. Why don't we try one of the other species?" Iko suggests.

"The vampires won't help us for obvious reasons, the elves live a very privileged life under their rule, and fairies are the weakest species in the sense that they have no special traits that will prove ultimately useful in a fight." Dr Erland explains dryly.

"Fairies aren't weak!" Iko protests indignantly.

"Scientifically, they are."

"THEY AREN'T!"

I feel the blood drain away from my face at Iko's outburst. This isn't good. "Um… Iko?"

"WHAT?"

"Your wings are showing."

Her eyes widen and she glances behind her at the pulsing red ribbons reaching out from her back, whipping violently in an imaginary wind. As I watch, they change colour, dulling into a cloudy silver, the colour of fear.

As always, I'm a bit awestruck by the sight of Iko's wings (or, more accurately, her soul). I'm looking at Iko's entire personality, her emotions, her dreams, everything that makes her Iko! Unfortunately, everything that makes her Iko is also very noticeable.

Iko quickly "furls" her wings, reabsorbing their essence into her body. I dare to breathe a relieved sigh, hoping that whoever saw the red and silver light shining through the unfinished windows of the building would assume it's some random teenagers playing around with a disco light or something.

"You guys are really bad at the whole "inconspicuous" thing aren't you?"

Note to self: never tempt fate and breathe a sigh of relief again.

A guy steps through one of the windows. I take in his long blond hair tied in a ponytail and his cold blue eyes, and slump over in frustration. I actually know this guy! Jacin Clay, new kid at our school as of two days ago, is in my biology class and has a sarcastic disposition to rival mine. And also a jerk.

Iko folds her arms and looks at him coldly. "What do you want Clay?"

"Just wondering why you seem to think it's a good idea to talk about overthrowing an entire government in a public area." He shoots Iko a bored look. "Also, fairies definitely are the weakest species."

A scream of rage tears itself out of Iko's throat and she swings a closed fist straight at Jacin's face. He blocks it easily. "Case in point."

"You're Lunar?" Dr Erland asks him, looking more fascinated than wary.

"Yep. Werewolf, member of the Queen's Guard."

I curse under my breath. "So there are werewolves milling about undercover then."

Jacin shrugs unconcernedly. "Nah, only me. Some rogue werewolf kicked the Captain of the Guard's butt and Her Majesty sent me recruit them for the Guard."

I perk up with interest. "There's a werewolf here who's not with Levana?"

"Don't get to excited Selene. I haven't found them yet and judging from the Captain's report they don't have bioelectric sickness. Either they went to a lot of trouble to get away from Luna or moved to Earth at a very young age and aren't even away it exists."

"Don't call me Selene."

"Whatever Ashes."

I glare at him. I did mention this guy's a jerk right?

"How did you know her name is Selene?" Dr Erland asks shrewdly.

"I eavesdropped on your last meeting. Daughter of Channary Blackburn, yes? The heir to the throne of Luna? You look a lot like your mom."

I offer no reply, though my heart tweaks a little at his words.

I've never thought much about my mother. From what Dr Erland has told me, she only cared about her dresses and her men. I don't feel sad about her death. She was a selfish and vain woman. Still, knowing that I share anything with her, even my appearance, it makes me long for her. It makes me long for a mother.

I shake these thoughts out of my head. Channary is dead now, and besides, she probably wouldn't have loved me that much anyway.

I turn back to the matter at hand. "So you're a Royal Guard. That means you must have some information on the goings-on at the castle."

Jacin raises an eyebrow at me. "I'm a guard. I don't know any of Levana's top-secret plans if that's what you're after."

"But you know some of her not-so-secret plans, which is more than we do."

"And why would I tell her not-so-secret plans to you?"

"Are you afraid of what Levana will do to you if she finds out?"

"It's not me I'm worried about."

"Your family then? Or a friend?"

Jacin scowls at me but says nothing.

I plow on. "You're protecting someone, and that's totally understandable. But the information you have can be exactly what we need to actually get this revolution started. Tell me, do you think the person your protecting will be safer while Levana is alive, or when she's dead?"

A/N: A little bit more depth on fairies as a species here, as well as Cinder's opinion of her mother, Channary. Plus, a dash of Jacin humour (I love writing him so much!)

Jacin has a choice to make: help Cinder with her revolution, or… don't. What will he choose? Is his information as useful as Cinder hopes? So many questions that will NOT be answered in the next chapter (cue evil laughter).

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