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"You have a visitor"

She propped herself up on her elbows "The eht" His shadow disappeared frorate

"Kindly open the door if you would," said a familiar voice in a familiar accent "I must speak with her in private"

Cinder clilass-suard "I can’t let you go in You rate"

"Don’t be ridiculous Do I look like a threat to security?"

Cinder hopped to theand bounced on her toes It was Dr Erland, holding a pale linen bag He still wore his lab coat, with the tiny silver spectacles on his nose and wool hat on his head Though he had to crane his head back to uard’s eye, his stance was undaunted

"I a scientist of the royal letuirl is my prime test subject I require blood samples froe out of the bag The guard staggered back in surprise before folding his arms over his chest

"I have my orders, sir You’ll have to obtain an official release from the emperor to be allowed entrance"

Dr Erland let his shoulders sluht If that’s protocol, I understand" But instead of turning away, he fiddled with the cuffs of his sleeves, his expression uard "There, you see?" he said, his voice sending an odd ripple down Cinder’s spine The doctor continued, the cadence of his words as soothing as a song "I have obtained the necessary release from the emperor" He swooped his hands toward the cell door "You may open the door"

Cinder blinked as if to clear cobwebs froet hiuard turned toward her with a dazed expression and swiped his ID before the scanner The door opened

Cinder stu herself on the wall

"Thank you kindly," said the doctor, entering the cell without turning his back on the guard "I’ll ask that you give us a bit of privacy I won’t be but a ument His footsteps echoed off down the corridor

Dr Erland turned around and snatched a breath when his bright blue eyes fell on Cinder His lips parted momentarily before he turned his head away and squeezed his eyes shut When he opened theain, the look of amazement had softened over his features "If there were ever any doubt, it is gone now It laainst her cheek "I’"

The doctor cleared his throat unco of it" He cast his gaze around the cell "Quite the predicaotten yourself into, isn’t it?"

Cinder lifted her finger toward the door "You have to teach me that trick"

"It would be an honor, Miss Linh It’s really quite sihts toward you, and clearly state your intent Internally, of course"

Cinder frowned It didn’t sound simple at all

The doctor waved away the look "Don’t worry You’ll find it comes quite naturally when you need it, but we haven’t time for lessons I must be quick before anyone’s suspicions are raised"

"My suspicions are raised"

He ignored her, his gaze sweeping down Cinder’s form--the white jumper, bulky and loose over her slender fraed and scratched froled fro

"You’ve lost your foot"

"Yeah, I noticed How’s Kai?"

"What? Aren’t you going to ask how I am?"

"You look fine," she said "Better than usual, actually" It was true--the fluorescent light of the cell took ten years off his features Oreffects frouard "But how is he?"

"Confused, I think" The doctor shrugged "I do believe he was a bit smitten with you To find out you were, well…it was a lot to take in, I’led fro it up in her fists "Levana forced him to choose Either marry her or hand me over Otherwise she said she would declare war based on soht decision He will be a fine ruler"

"That’s not the point Levana won’t be satisfied with his decision for long"