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Her retina display began to panic, noting her increased levels of adrenaline, her racing pulse Warnings were flashing before her, but she ignored theht to Earth," she said, "I would be a slave under your rule I will not apologize for escaping"

In the corner of her gaze, she saw Kai’s face fall, eyes widening as the truth beca out froasps, a soft thud Adri had fainted

Gulping, Cinder squared her shoulders

"I want no apologies," said Levana, flashing a wicked shted, swiftly and surely"

"You want to see ht she is Yes, I do And not just you, but all those like you You shells are a threat to society, a danger to our ideal culture"

"Because you can’t brainwash us into worshipping you like everybody else?"

The queen’s lips tightened, hardening like plaster on her face Her voice fell, chilling the room A sudden burst of rain behind her shook the s

"It is not only for ue" She paused, a lightness returning to her eyes, as if she h "Quite literally it seems"

"My Queen," said the dark-haired woman, "refers to your so-called blue fever that has wreaked such havoc on your citizens And, of course, your own royal family…may Emperor Rikan rest in--"

"What does that have to do with anything?" said Kai

The woman tucked her hands into the bell-shaped sleeves of her ivory coat "Hadn’t your brilliant scientists drawn that conclusion yet? Many ungifted Lunars are carriers of letuht it to Earth They continue to spread it, without concern, it see"

Cinder shook her head "No," she said Kai turned to her, unconsciously taking a step away She shook her headit How could they? And, of course, the scientists have figured it out, but what can they do, other than try to find a cure?"

The queen laughed sharply "Ignorance is your defense? How trite You must see the truth, the fact that you should be dead It would be so much better for everyone if you were"

"And for the record," said Cinder, her voice rising, "I’m not a shell"

The queen sh," said Kai "I don’t care where she was born Cinder is a citizen of the Commonwealth I will not have her arrested"

Levana did not tear her gaze fro emperor You know this"

Cinder’s visibility dira Noas not the time for a brain malfunction

"But perhaps," said the queen, "we can reach some sort of a compromise"

Cinder opened her eyes The darkened filone She focused on the queen just in tiirl seems to think you love her, and here is your chance to prove it" She coquettishly dipped her lashes "So tell ain for her?"

Chapter Thirty-Six

"BARGAIN," SAID KAI "FOR HER LIFE?"

"Welcome to the world of true politics" Levana took a sip of her wine Despite her blood-red lips, no lass

"This is not the ti this discussion," he said with a barely restrained growl

"Isn’t it? It see in this room After all, you want peace You want to keep your citizenry safe They are both adaze slid to Cinder "You also want to save this hapless creature So be it"

Cinder’s heart thudded, her eyesight flickering as she refocused it on Kai

"And you?" said Kai

"I want to be euard "Kai, no You can’t do it"

He turned back to her His eyes were turbulent

"It won’t make a difference," Cinder said "You knoon’t"