Audrey threw all she had into preparing for the infamous Crescent Trials. The probability of her dying loomed higher than the alternative, but her mind was set.
"Why are you doing this?" Kimmy had asked a few nights ago at the bonfire, after Audrey had calmed down enough to reason through the revelations.
Audrey thought about it for a moment but still came up empty. "I…I don't know."
"Are they forcing you?" Kimmy's voice was low, for her ears only.
"What? No!" Audrey's eyes flickered towards them. Her mates, Deckard and Tristan. They'd returned to the fire but she could make out the renewed tension to their shoulders. "They're not like that."
"I know. I'm sorry for even thinking about it that way."
Audrey nodded. "They wanted me to go away. Deckard was especially vocal about it. They left the choice to me."
"And you agreed to undertake the trial?"
"Yes."
"Your mind hasn't changed after I let my mouth run wild?"
