The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

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.

Nicholas looked down at where I was holding him. He placed his hand over both of mine.

"Everything's okay," he said. "Elva is fine. Better than fine, really. It's you that we are worried about."

"But the medical helicopter...?"

Piper. You've been

his face. The concern I had earlier perceived was not as new as I thought. Worry seemed etched into his features. Was

affection for him. He truly cared for

the ritual? And the Oracle? After I passed

why, though she suspected it was because of your blood relation to Elva. I held out as long

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

Nicholas said. "Just as I was ready to stop it,

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

sure with my own eyes that she was healthy and

asked. "She's just nearer the front of the

see her if I had to, but I didn't want Nicholas to worry more. So, even though I

true, I told Nicholas, "I

and stepped into the aisle. He waited there, giving me

forward. Seeing Elva was a powerful motivator. Even though my legs wobbled, I still placed them beneath me soundly enough and was able

as we walked toward the front

bouncing around the plane like she had rubber for bones. It was as if she couldn't sit still. When she crawled

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

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

to worry, I gave her my softest smile. "I

relax, the plane hit some 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 the window seat. I took the middle seat beside

all fastened our

as the plane rattled around. Elva didn't seem alarmed; she just looked out the window. Nicholas was calm as can be as well, sitting