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.

but to actually try to kill her?” whispered

too far,”

had passed, and Nicholas released me, Susie

“Piper!”

okay,” I promised her. I waved out my arms so she could see for herself.

Susie looked at Nicholas.

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

authoritative. It was unusual to see Julian take anything

he looked absolutely furious, glaring down at where

are disqualified

spoke weakly. Even she must have known that she had no defense. Everyone in the

in the act.

finally returned to the room, his eyes sunken in rage, Julian directed him

not wish to press charges,” Julian said, looking

certainly treated me terribly, 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 would likely win, I really

my head a

said

little mouse. You can dress yourself up in silks and satins, but you will always be common underneath,” Linda said, finally finding her voice.

into the way of the guards, forcing them to stop, and for Linda to