The Luna Choosing Game

“That’s enough,” said a firm low voice through the microphone. Nathan had passed it to Nicholas. Please discover all the facts before making accusations. Piper proposed her deal last night. The

announcement about the blood moon did not come in until this morning.”

The second girl relented, lowering her head. “He’s right. She couldn’t have known…”

“But…?” said the first. “Surely the timing was too perfect to be a coincidence.”

“Sorry,” I said. “I don’t tell the future. I don’t have the internet. I just made a guess for the sake of the deal.”

The girls‘ looks of outrage slowly morphed into those of annoyance instead. Gradually, they slipped away from me.

Susie returned to the place she’d been pushed away from. “You okay?”

I shrugged

“Piper,” Nicholas said, approaching me. He’d left the microphone on the stage, back with Nathan.

He stopped when he was before me. “What did the physician say about Elva?” After I told him, he sighed,

“Good.”

Susie glanced between the two of us. Then she pretended to see something and left us. It was a very

obvious show. She was not a good actor.

e some

her or be mad at her. She clearly

but after last night, I wasn’t sure I

I didn’t know if I

bargain,” Nicholas said. “Sometime during this

Night.”

that. Thank

is

thought he would leave now, with what he had wanted

other girls were being led away, over to the dining room for breakfast. I watched them go, unsure if should

should thank you on behalf of my family,” Nicholas said. “If

or cancel the event ourselves. Either would have

deal helped us save

possibly take credit for that, especially when

was just worried about Elva. Everything else

was close to us, he said, “Caring for your

of praise, if not more so. As far as I’m concerned, the life of a child sharply outweighs the reputation of the

words were kind, but he

as serious as the royal family was treating this event, I knew there had to be more going on under the surface than I

to agree or disagree. He just slowly

room. I’d swiped a few muffins for