The Luna Choosing Game

“Since our only lead right now is Terry, then I propose this idea,” Julian said. “We need to snoop around
his mansion.”
“You want us to walk straight into the lion’s den.” Nicholas crossed his arms over his chest.
“Not walk,” Julian said. “Creep. It’s not snooping if they know you are there. So we move silently and
undetected until we find whatever information we need.”
“It’s a big mansion,” I said.
“He has an office,” Julian said. “That’s where we need to look.”
“I don’t like the thought of Piper in there,” Nicholas said. “We know Terry has some kind of attachment
to you. You’ll be in the most danger if we go.”
My heart raced for sure. I wasn’t looking forward to crawling through Terry’s lair, just like I’d rather avoid seeing him altogether for the rest of my life. But we needed this information, and I could help. And if
worse came to worse, I would have the chance to prove myself.
“Isn’t that what your self-defense lessons are for?” I asked him, coc k i n g my brow.

He glowered at me. “One lesson is not enough.”
“So teach me more then.”
“I’ll have to.” In his eyes, a flash of fire sparked. He remembered as well as I the near kiss we shared. when he’d held me during our first lesson. When I struggled in his arms, and we both felt the heat rising
between us.
I swallowed thickly, remembering it now. A bit of that fire rekindled inside me now, looking at him, and his wide shoulders, and his kissable lips. If I moved a bit closer
“I’m sorry to cut in, but we’re doing lessons now?” Julian asked. His smile had taken on a sharp edge.
I forced myself to look away from Nicholas, so that I could recover myself. Then I cleared my throat.
“Nicholas is teaching me some self-defense maneuvers,” I said.
“She wanted to learn,” Nicholas added.
Julian’s brow lowered. “Let me guess. Here’s how to break a hold, and the like.”
My cheeks burned a little. He no doubt saw.
“Well, if Nicholas wants to teach you how to protect your body, then someone else should teach you how to protect your mind,” Julian said. “Fair’s fair. Terry likes his mind games, so to help prepare for them,
you should take menta l self-defense lessons from me.”
I remembered Terry’s mind games and the off-putting things he liked to say around me. I wouldn’t mind having some preparation against that, and Julian seemed earnest, even if Nicholas was glaring at him.
“Okay,” I said. “That sounds like a good idea.”
Julian nodded. Nicholas continued glaring.
“Maybe we should get back on topic,” Nicholas said.
“Right,” I agreed.
Julian shrugged. “I’ll nudge the producers to push for a competition event at Terry’s mention. At this
point, he’s inserted himself into everything anyway. We might as well give him the attention he so
desperately craves. It would give us reason to be there in case we are caught.” (1)