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...?"

for you, Piper. You've been out for

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

him. He truly cared for me so

I asked. "With the ritual? And

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

hand," I said. "Did

ready to stop it, the spell ended. Then,

considered his words. I couldn't fault him for wanting to protect me, I supposed I would have

Elva." I wanted to make sure with my own eyes that she was healthy and

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

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

if it was true,

the aisle. He waited there, giving me

okay drive me forward. Seeing Elva was a powerful motivator. Even though

me as we walked toward the front of the

she had rubber for bones. It was as if she couldn't sit still. When she

a hug. I wanted to lean down and hold her, but I wasn't certain I'd

up at me with wide, bright eyes. "Are

her my softest smile. "I

this airplane, so I quickly ushered Elva into one of the

all fastened our

armrests with white-knuckled grips, holding on for dear life as the plane rattled around. Elva didn't seem alarmed; she just looked out the window. Nicholas was calm as can be