The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0597

When I blinked my eyes open again, I was reclining on a leather seat with the back dropped way down. The ceiling seemed to be curved. There were other seats beside my own, similar in shape and style. Nicholas was sitting in one of them.

The ritual was over, then. I didn't feel much pain anymore, though exhaustion did weigh down heavily onto me. But where was I? And where was Elva?

I wanted to ask Nicholas, but my thoughts felt sluggish. My mouth wasn't totally working just yet.

Nicholas was talking, but not to me. He had his phone to his ear.

"I want a medical helicopter ready and waiting at the airport the moment we land," Nicholas said.

Airport? Oh, we were in an airplane. That would explain the curved ceiling and matching chairs. And we were set to return home the day of the ritual. I must have been passed out all of this time.

But wait... medical helicopter? Had something happened to Elva?!

At once, my sluggishness dissipated and I sprung upright in a panicked rush. My thoughts went from too few, too slow to so many at once that I was having trouble organizing them.

My heart raced out of control. I needed to see Elva. Where was she? Was she okay? What happened with the ritual?

Nicholas immediately noticed my distress with a look of concern crossing his face. "I have to go," he said into the phone and hung up. He turned toward me in his seat. "Piper? How are you feeling?"

"What happened to E-Elva?" I said so quickly and with so much emotion that my voice cracked. I reached out and gripped his sleeve with both hands.

looked down at where I was holding him.

said. "Elva is fine. Better than fine, really. It's you that

"But the medical helicopter...?"

Piper. You've been out

exhaustion in his face. The concern I had earlier perceived was not as new as I thought. Worry seemed etched into his features. Was it fear for me that had

him. He truly cared

the ritual? And the Oracle?

us combined. Afterwards, not even the Oracle could explain why, though she suspected it was because of your

you letting go of my hand," I said. "Did

ready to stop it, the spell ended. Then, immediately

considered his words. I couldn't fault him for wanting to protect me, I supposed I would have done the same in his position. But saving Elva was and would always

want to see Elva." I wanted to make sure with my own eyes

can walk?" Nicholas asked. "She's just nearer

would have crawled to see her if I had to, but I didn't want Nicholas to worry

if it was true, I told Nicholas,

didn't argue. Instead, he rose from his seat and stepped into the aisle. He waited there,

letting my strong desire to make sure Elva was okay drive me forward. Seeing Elva was a powerful motivator. Even though my legs wobbled, I still placed them beneath me soundly enough and was able to step into the

me as we walked toward the front of

my little girl, bouncing around the plane like she had rubber for bones. It was as if she couldn't sit still. When she crawled over some empty seats and stepped into the aisle again, Elva

but I wasn't certain I'd be

back to look up at me with wide, bright eyes. "Are you up from your

softest smile. "I

turbulence and began to shake. I was no less a nervous flier than the last time we'd been in this airplane, so I quickly ushered Elva into one of the seats. She moved into

fastened our