Page 23 of Cinder's Adventure: Get Me To the Wedding!

If Cinder should go without a fight, go to Chapter 50.

Chapter 23

“All right,” Cinder growled, irritation flaring inside her. “I’ve had quite enough of this.”

She inhaled, and forced herself to focus. Forced herself to notice the waves of bioelectricity cresting off the crowd around her. It had been a long time since she’d used her Lunar gift, but it was a bit like flying a spaceship—once you knew how, you never really forgot.

It wasn’t long before she could pick out the echoes of energy rolling off every person in that park. And yes, they were different from people she was used to. More vibrant. More powerful.

But that didn’t mean they couldn’t be manipulated.

She exhaled slowly, and seized control.

“You will release me,” she said.

A moment passed. Then the boy named Adriandidrelease her.

The handcuffs clicked open and fell to the grass at her feet.

At her silent command, the crowd around her began to back up, giving her space. All except Magpie, who stood gaping at her. She appeared to be trembling, but Cinder kept the girl’s feet planted to the ground. She wouldn’t let her run again.

Striding closer, Cinder lifted her palm.

With a gulp, Magpie set the ring into it.

Cinder huffed and slipped it back onto her finger. “Don’t steal,” she said through her teeth. “It’s a terrible habit.”

Magpie’s mouth thinned and her cheeks reddened, and Cinder had the distinct impression that she’d been scolded for this before. Probably many times over.

“Nowthatis a terrifying superpower.”

Cinder spun around.

It took her a moment to find the boy who had spoken. She wasn’t sure she would have noticed him at all, until he stepped forward, revealing himself. He had pale skin and fluffy brown hair and eyes that carried a strange wisdom. She thought he was probably close to the same age as Magpie, but it was difficult to tell. The way he carried himself suggested a maturity beyond his years.

But what was most striking to Cinder was that he was very muchnotunder her control.

She could see his energy—feel it spooling off him just like everyone else.

But when she reached out for it, it slipped away from her grasp.

He was immune to the Lunar gift.

Immune toher.

Was he a shell? Did they have shells in… in…

She frowned, unable to remember the name of this city. Gotham? Gatling?

“Are you really an Anarchist?” the boy asked, sounding more curious than frightened. “I didn’t think there were any left.”

“I’m just trying to get home.”

The boy chuckled. “Honestly? At this point, I think we’d all kind of like you to go home. Especially since…” He glanced past Cinder’s shoulder, and she followed his look to the distant dig site, where some of the workers had just pulled a large box up from the excavation. “I have a feeling things are about to get really bad here.”

Cinder frowned. “What do you mean?”

The boy shook his head. “Never mind. It sounds like maybe you’ve got your own problems to deal with.” He nodded to the boy with the marker. “This is my big brother, Adrian. He’s a good guy, I promise. If you release your control over him, he can draw you something that will help get you where you’re supposed to go.”

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