The Luna Choosing Game

“Thank you,” I said. “Please thank them for me, as well. I wouldn’t want to get them in trouble by approaching them directly.”

Till pass on your gratitude,” Charlotte said.

We continued to work throughout the day. When we finally finished, it was time for me to attend a

banquet.

Elva, who had been patient all day, complained loudly that she wouldn’t get to attend.

“You’d hate it,” I told her, hoisting her up into my arms. “A bunch of stuffy people insulting each other

while pretending to be nice.”

“Why would they do that?” she asked.

“1 don’t know, honey.” But I did know. With only 9 candidates left, everyone was on the edge. We were coming down to the wire soon, and all the girls, except Susie and 1, wanted the crown. “People

sometimes have to cut each other down to make themselves feel more important.”

“That doesn’t sound very nice”

“It’s not,” I agreed.

As I prepared for the banquet, I was startled by an unfamiliar maid sticking her head through the door.

Charlotte immediately intercepted her and then sent her away

was that? What did she want?” I asked when

pulled together. “I’m not sure. She didn’t even ask anything.

room but that

you recognize her?”

up my silver dress in the back. “Be

head into my room? What had

Elva. After a quick goodbye to Charlotte and the maid, and Mark outside the door, I headed down to the dining room for the evening’s

gown with a low–cut bodice

fit for a Luna. I maybe should have felt like an imitator

stairs, Julian stood at the bottom to greet me.

to the dining room tonight, Piper?”

a brow. “Why?”

Maybe I just want to be

my eyes.

best if we walked in together. You

I

right reason, or maybe, not the only one. For now, however, I supposed

accepted Julian’s

Julian said.

“It is.”

on you.”

I side–eyed him.

winked at me. “It looks better on you than it does on her. That’s for

Her? Who?