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

too far,” said another.

Nicholas released me, Susie rushed to my

“Piper!”

promised her. I waved out my arms so she

Susie looked at Nicholas. “Why

his jaw. “Some nobles don’t know

unusual to see Julian take anything seriously, but

absolutely furious, glaring down at where Linda

you are disqualified from

known that she had no defense. Everyone in the

in the

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

wish to press charges,” Julian said, looking at me. “What she has

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

gaze, I shook my head a little. He

away,” Julian said to the guards.

will always be common underneath,” Linda said, finally finding her voice. “How dare you

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