The Luna Choosing Game

“We were renting an apartment with a friend of mine, Anna. I worked hard for that life. Sometimes I even,

well… I’ve let more experiences happen than I should have, for the sake of a paycheck.”

My hands ached. Looking down I realized I held the wooden armrests of the chair in a white–knuckled

grip. I attempted to loosen my hold. “Were you harmed?”

“Not for the lack of effort on their part,” Piper said. “My boss at this last job was particularly vile, but your

guards came to retrieve me at just the right moment.”

My grip returned tenfold. The wood creaked.

I wanted to tell her that she was safe now, and that people like that would never be able to touch her again. I wanted her to give me this vermin’s name so I could chase him down and have him locked in the

dungeon.

I considered yet doing the last one, when Elva’s condition wasn’t quite so dire. But the previous I could

I

not promise.

With the first elimination coming up, I did not know if she would continue to be allowed to stay at the palace. And the minute she was beyond these walls, I could not protect her without drawing unwanted

attention to us both.

and when she left, I had

now, I would do what I could. I sat in the chair beside Piper’s as

the early morning hours, Elva’s fever finally broke, and Piper was able to relax. I rose

to alert the physician.

was fast asleep. She must have

knew she didn’t have to worry anymore, her body sunk fast

not to wake her, I hooked an arm under her

her around to the other side of the

up over her

and watched over Piper and

in the morning. When I saw him enter the room, I stood, leaving the physician

asked him. The weather forecasts had predicted a miniscule

hesitated. He was holding something back. Unusual. He typically told

need for further

“Mark?”

see it for yourself. The royal family is gathered

me, where Piper and Elva continued to doze, even

watch over them

able to pull myself

Mark nodded.

only one last quick glance behind me, then I made my way from