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.

holding him. He placed his

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

"But the medical helicopter...?"

for you, 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

affection for him. He truly cared

asked. "With the ritual?

so much pain, more than the rest of us combined. Afterwards, not even the Oracle could explain why, though she suspected

remember you letting go of my hand," I said. "Did that ruin the

ruined," Nicholas said. "Just as I was ready to stop it, the spell ended. Then, immediately after, you

to protect me, I supposed I would have done the same in his position. But

to make sure with my own eyes that she was healthy and

you think you can walk?" Nicholas asked. "She's just nearer the front

her if I had to, but I didn't want Nicholas

if it was true, I told Nicholas, "I can

but didn't argue. Instead, he rose from his seat and stepped into the aisle. He waited there, giving me enough room to get by while also being close

my strength, 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

stayed close behind me as we

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 spotted

hug. I wanted to lean down and hold her, but I wasn't certain I'd be able to stand back up again. Instead, I gently patted her on the top

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

softest smile. "I was just resting, but I feel better

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 the window seat.

fastened