The Luna Choosing Game

That evening, I met with Nicholas and Julian in one of the sitting rooms. Julian had unfurled the

blueprints to the palace out on one of the small tables. Now, he was holding a cup of coffee in each hand.

He likely hadn’t been to sleep yet.

Neither had Nicholas, though he was running on adrenaline instead of caffeine.

“With Jane escalating in violence, we have to move quicker as well,” Nicholas said. “We need to put a

plan into action as soon as possible.”

“We need a plan first,” Julian said. “You are skipping steps.”

Nicholas pushed a hand through his hair.

“There has to be something we can do,” I said. “I’m tired of waiting around for Jane to make her move.

We’re constantly on the back foot.”

“Piper’s right,” Nicholas said. “We need to go on the assertive. Stop playing defense and go on offense

instead.”

“Take the fight to them?” Julian asked with a smirk. “Surely you all haven’t forgotten my initial plan from

weeks ago. Sneaking into Terry’s mansion and snooping around.”

“We barricaded the tunnel,” I said.

“I’m not talking about a tunnel. I’m talking about holding an event in Terry’s mansion. Then snooping

around when their backs are turned.”

Nicholas and I glanced at each other.

1 remembered Nicholas had been vehemently against this plan at the start. Now however, he seemed

less so.

Julian waited. I waited too. When Nicholas didn’t object to anyway, Julian prompted, “You’re going to let

me suggest it this time?”

What can I do? Nicholas crossed his arms.

He clearly wasn’t happy, but he was willing to go along with anything

too close. She very nearly sneaked past our defenses if Mark hadn’t been the

Five will always be in danger so long as Jarse and Terry have

ed to bring fan and Terry down as feet co

My heart was warm, listening to Nicholas so valiantly willing to protect Elva and me.

Julian smiled. “It’s about time you came around to this idea, brother. Even last night you said no.”

“That had been before Jane. Before the attack.”

Julian nodded, understanding.

“Great. I’ve been leaning on the producers for a while now, putting this idea in their ear,” Julian said. “So

it shouldn’t be too difficult to get them to line everything up and move quickly.”

“You’ve been pitching this idea to them, even though I opposed it?” Nicholas asked.

“Of course.” Julian shrugged. “Like I’m going to let your misguided orders get in the way of my best–laid plans. I knew you’d come around eventually. I wanted to be ready. Now, we’re ready.”

Julian was true to his word. The next afternoon, all of the candidates were called down into the parlor room for some announcements. Gossip was rampant among the girls. Many were whispering about how the next event would take them away from the palace grounds.

“I’m ready for a change of scenery,” Tiffany said.

“Careful,” Olivia replied. “If you make it to Luna, you will hardly ever leave.”

“The palace is beautiful, don’t get me wrong,” Tiffany amended. “But… surely the Luna gets to go to a party somewhere else once in a while?”

“She does,” Susie said, softly.

“I would be comfortable staying,” Olivia said. “Though, of course, I would go wherever the Luna is

needed.”

“I will go wherever Nicholas decides,” Lilliana added.

Nearly everyone rolled their eyes.

Ever since Nicholas had overheard Lilliana be cruel to me and then called her out, Lilliana has fully reverted to her agreeable flower routine, even when Nicholas wasn’t around.

She was likely nervous now, like Nicholas might be hiding around the corner ready to hear her true self

and not the act she put on.

stepped onto the stage platform and tapped on his microphone, gaining our attention.

anticipating what our next event will be. Nathan said I’m st

esgerly awaiting the next on

At the sound of that name, all the blood drained from my face.

“Ladies, please welcome Terry among us.”

The girls politely clapped. I did too, even though I wanted to run up and kick him in the shins.

“Thank you. Thank you. You are very kind,” Terry said. He walked toward us and took turns placing his

hand on each of our shoulders. Only Susie and Tiffany visibly slunk away from his touch. I steeled myself,

counting the seconds until it was over. Even Olivia seemed tenser than normal.

I’m glad the other girls at least had the good sense to know something was wrong with this man, even if

he wasn’t actively trying to take control of their lives.

“Allow me to be the one to announce the event, Nathan,” Terry called out.

Nathan obliged with a nod.

“Ladies!” Terry stretched out his arms. He spoke louder than he needed to. There were only 8 of us.

You are each hereby cordially invited for as dinner guests to my mansion.” 1

The girls gasped. Some seemed delighted, others less so. Tiffany seemed happy enough just to get out

of the palace. Susie worried her bottom lip with her teeth. 1

While I wasn’t terribly surprised by the announcement – Julian had made it clear it would happen – the

involvement of Terry himself was a surprise. Julian couldn’t have arranged that? Unless part of his ploy

was making Terry believe this had been his idea all along.

I resolved to ask Julian about it later.

For now, Nathan reclaimed everyone’s attention. “At this dinner event, you will be judged based on your

etiquette, as well as your attire, and your ability to hold Terry’s interest. Terry, the Luna’s brother, will be

the primary judge for this event.”

My stomach began to churn uncomfortably. Terry was the judge? That did not bode well for me. He was

likely to tank my score just to see me fail again. I didn’t know the nature of the third elimination, but I

couldn’t imagine bombing two events in a row would do me any favors.

Terry moved around the girls again, giving them each as a smile as they thanked him for his upcoming Hospitality. When he reached me, his smirk was as sharp as a dagger’s edge,

idn’t want to thank him I didn’t want to talk to him at all. But I couldn’t be the only one who had

is would talk, and I was already on thin ice due to Jane’s behavior at the gala

rising lump in my stomach, and spoke

Terry’s smile added teeth. “You are very welcome, of course, Miss Piper. I am looking forward to having

you in my home.”

I thought of kicking him in the shins again, but held myself back – barely. This material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

“I can guarantee you will have the time of your life,” Terry continued. “Why, by the end of the evening, ! doubt if you’d be able to pull yourself away.”

He said the words pleasantly enough, but to me, it sounded like a threat.

Involuntarily, I shivered.