User blog comment:Zathronas/Analysis by an author: Volume 2 episode 1/@comment-10390252-20140725123628

FWIW, Mercury and Emerald seemed afraid of Cinder too. I wouldn't be surprised, if Emerald does defect to the Light (or at least to chaotic good alignment), she ends up in Beacon's medical ward and they find she's covered in dozens of cosmetic burns that were Cinder's way of 'disciplining' her as she grew up.