The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0596

Veronica hung her head.

She left something out? Nicholas and I glanced at each other, before the Oracle spoke up once more, reclaiming our attention.

*For the volunteers it will be painful. Perhaps you've guessed as much. The sacrifice of life force, even that freely given, leaves it's toll. Knowing this, do you wish to persist?"

"Yes," I said at once. "This changes nothing for me." I realized as soon as I said it, that I shouldn't speak for my friends. Though I was willing to do whatever it took to save Elva, that didn't mean the same for others.

Yet, one by one, they spoke up.

"I will stay a donor," Nicholas said, voice strong and proud.

*Me, too," Julian said, laughing. "I can handle whatever comes if it helps out our princess."

Veronica lifted her head again. "You already know my answer."

The Oracle nodded, seeming pleased. "Gather in a circle then. Hold hands. Elva, you stand between them, in the middle of the circle."

We moved into positions. I held Nicholas and Julian's hands. After setting aside her book, Veronica, on the opposite of me, did the same but in reverse. Elva moved into the space between us.

and they spread

all lifted their

flew from the Oracle's hands. It stretched outwards, moving like waves as it circled all of us in

began to glow, just as she

"Mommy?" she said.

be okay, honey," I told her. A zap rushed through

painful it was. I wasn't going to

face was stricken but his

"Piper?"

I growled out through the pain.

like this,"

healed," I said to him. "I can handle it! I

my ears. I felt as if I was in a whirlpool

firm on the sand. It was the magic.

help me! I won't let this end before Elva is

didn't feel like enough. The pain