The Luna Choosing Game

As Linda dived at me, knife first, both Julian and Nicholas moved at once.

Nicholas ran at me. He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me toward him, shielding me behind his body.

Julian, meanwhile, went straight for Linda. He grabbed Linda’s wrist and twisted. The knife clattered

down onto the floor.

“Someone get Joseph the hell back in here!” Julian shouted at one of the guards. They ran out of the room, doing as commanded. The others closed in around Linda.

Disarmed, she shrank in on herself, seemingly realizing what she had done. Her eyes were wide and vacant. Tears streamed down her face.

Nicholas eased me back, though he kept his hands on my shoulders.

“Are you okay?” he asked me.

“Yes.” That knife never had a chance to reach me with both brothers moving as if in tandem.

Still, Nicholas checked me over, dropping his gaze down the length of my body.

actually try to kill her?” whispered one girl

far,” said

danger had passed, and Nicholas released me, Susie rushed to

“Piper!”

waved out my arms so

happened?” Susie looked at Nicholas. “Why would Linda

his jaw. “Some nobles don’t know how to

was unusual to see Julian take anything seriously, but right.

absolutely furious, glaring down at where

disqualified

have known that she had no defense.

seen her in

to the room, his eyes sunken

said, looking at me. “What she has done is worthy of jail time,

and now this final act of terror. But, even so, if I wished to press charges, it would extend into a court hearing. Even though I

gaze, I shook my head a little. He seemed

away,” Julian said to the

in silks and satins, but you will always be common underneath,” Linda said, finally

of the guards, forcing them to stop,