The Luna Choosing Game

I worried about Elva all day, about her abilities and the dangers that those might bring. I was so

distracted with my thoughts that I didn’t notice Elva was beginning to not feel well until she took my hand and I felt how clammy her palms were.

“Are you not feeling well, Elva?” I pressed the back of my hand to her forehead. She was burning up. * Why didn’t you say anything?”

“You get sad,” Elva said.

She was such a considerate child, trying to protect me. But my whole heart broke, knowing she didn’t

feel like she could depend on me.

“I love you, honey, but you have to tell me right away when you don’t feel good, okay?” I scooped her into

my arms.

The day’s events had ended. We were on our way back to our room anyway. Now, carrying Elva, I rushed

there as fast as I could.

Mark caught sight of me right away. “What’s wrong?”

“Send for the doctor, please. Elva has a fever.” I tried to keep the fear from cracking my voice but it s

made it wobble uncertainly.

Mark glanced at Elva and his face went rigid. “Right away.” He waved for one of the two guards at my

door.

lowered Elva down onto the bed.

other than what I always did:

more days. Tomorrow was the most vital

if I missed it, I would lose what little ranking I had. I

competition anyway, but now, with Elva

we’d never have back in

I had to try to survive the elimination.

needed

pouldn’t lose. I couldn’t

I leave her side, however, especially long enough to disappear on a hunt.

me?

thing I could do. It was desperate and reckless, but for Elva’s

anything.

with Asher’s personal physician. As she began to inspect Elva, I pulled Mark

tell me where I can find

but he still lifted one at my question. “What

“Beg,” I said.

on non–banquet days, the

alone