AN: I appreciate your patience with me more than words can describe. Hopefully y'all don't skip over this chapter but I won't hold my breath.

There's nothing funny about what's going to happen to me tomorrow and yet here I am laughing. My body writhes in mirth but my mind focuses on a daunting future.

Should I call my siblings? Should I just take the test and call them if I survive?

Doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, I guess. Either my body or my entirety will be going home on a submarine.

My body or I-myself?

Fresh giggles spill from my mouth and I clutch my stomach willing the laughter to stop with no success.

"I'm- going. . .to die!" Tears slide down my cheeks and I understand that instead of laughing or crying, my body decides that it's best to do both in this situation.

From the corner of my eye, I see the being on the coffee table sit up and swing her legs forward. She's still for a minute before resting her arms on her knees. My guess is that it takes too much energy for her to stay upright.

"Cease that immediately." Verena commands, voice lighter than a feather.

Surprisingly, my body listens and the laughing stops leaving the room in silence.

"There will be no death. I shall take my trial as planned." Her words are breathy, like she can't get enough air behind them.

Which is most likely because she had a stake implanted in her chest not even and hour ago.

"Shut up leech. I've already agreed to take your spot tomorrow, you're in no shape to and you know it." I speak calmly, accepting my fate.

"I will acknowledge no such thing. With proper rest. . . " Verena spaces out and I'm almost certain it's because her demon is trying to take over.

Thankfully Verena comes back to us and her shoulders slump in defeat, too tired to even speak.

"Good, it's settled." I force some strength into my voice to hide how incredibly scared I am.

"So it is." Beth murmurs from her place by Robert's side. He's practically managing her entire body weight in his arms but I don't think it's because she's tired, he just probably wants to hold her close.

My instincts tell me that I can easily read his emotions to find out for sure but I instead turn my focus to Verena. She and I are feeling completely done with tonight and she further confirms what I know with what she says next.

"I'd like to thank you all for extracting the cursed wood from within my person. I require proper rest before I can contribute to the hunt with much more vigor than before. Elizabeth, Bex, I expect to see you both at my domicile within the hour." The words took a lot from her but I can't help but argue.

"Verena, I was going to sleep and prepare in my room tonight." I won't call my siblings, but maybe I'll write them letters?

Whatever I choose should be within the confines of my room.

"You have had many a time to be lonesome wolfie, this will not be one of those instances." Verena's voice is stronger as she says this, letting me know that she's not going to back down.

Instead of arguing, I just sigh and get up from my position on the floor. Looking around I see that many of the permanent members on the Student Counsel have already left.

The ones that are still here are moving things around or talking to look busy. I can tell that they're hanging onto our every word.

I could snap on them all for being so nosy, but they've just sacrificed their night for an interim member that very few like on a good day. So I say nothing and allow them to listen in, it's not like we're hiding anything.

Verena eyes me before she nods her head at my open acceptance. Then her eyes move over to Robert and she holds her arms out like a child wanting to be picked up. He kisses Beth's forehead before gently setting her down like a pristine jewel. Robert then walks over to Verena with confidence but none of that power is displayed as he picks up his best friend.

The reality of the situation smacks me in the face as I become eye level to her bloody shirt. Verena had a 50/50 chance of continuing her existence tonight and here I am complaining about not sleeping in my own room.

I feel a hand grab my own and I look to see Beth. She doesn't say a word or hold onto my hand for long, instead she moves her hand up to the crook in my elbow like she's expecting me to guide her out of the room.

Even though we both know she can navigate around any place on this campus just fine.

While walking out of the room I notice that Eric, Will, and David have disappeared, probably to continue arguing over what I already know is going to happen.

An hour flies by and I do indeed find myself in Verena's room ready for bed.

It's hard to be in here but I push away the bad memories and focus on the good ones even as my eyes focus on the body shaped dents still in her walls.

Verena is already settled in ready for sleep with Beth next to her. It's at this moment that I notice how huge Verena's bed actually is because there's plenty of space left for me even though two beings are already in it.

Without anyone speaking, I slide in next to Verena with Beth on the other side of her.

As I stop moving and close my eyes, I feel a hand grab my own and know it's the vampire. Part of me questions whether she's holding my hand for her own sake or for mine.

I ask myself the same thing as I grip her hand back.

~~

"Bex." A voice from far away calls.

It sounds so familiar.

"Bex." The voice is closer. Who's voice is that? Why do I know it?

"Bex!" A different and shrill voice breaks through as well as a pushing on my shoulder.

My eyes pop open and it takes me a second or two to realize where I am.

"I'll not be assaulted in my own bed wolfie." Verena warns from someplace to my right where the shaking is. I lift my head from my pillow and notice Beth standing above me.

"Yes?" I ask with sleep still heavy on my tongue.

"It's time. As the newest permanent member, it's my job to escort you to your final test." Her words wake me up far better than any amount of shaking could.

"But it's only. . ."My words trail off as I look outside and only see dark skies when I was expecting an abundance of blue with sunlight.

Did I really sleep through the whole day?

"You and Verena slept soundly as you both recovered."

I open my mouth to ask what I was recovering from before remembering how I was able to help give Bex energy yesterday.

And the toll it took on my mind.

Verena gets out of the bed after I do and we both slowly get ready. I'm not entirely sure what she's getting ready for but I don't have the energy to question it.

Once done, she and I stand maybe half a yard away from each other and stare. I want to say my goodbye's but I can't. I can't even call my siblings to let them know what's happening.

"Let it go and you will survive."

I look at Verena in shock and ask, "Let go of what?"

"Death."

Getting such good sleep from yesterday has me silent and waiting for her to say more instead of flying off the handle.

"Revenge is acceptable but it is the death that lingers, unless discarded. Let it go and you will survive." She doesn't wait for me to digest the words, instead, Verena walks out of her room like she wasn't near dying only 18 hours ago.

I look at Beth for explanation but she just shrugs her shoulders. Does Verena have sight? The only death I want is Dominic's but she said that wanting revenge is fine.

Instead of pondering any longer, I shake my head to clear it and follow Beth. I expect her to take me to one of the many fields surrounding the campus but instead she leads me to the student counsel room.

I've always hated coming here at night, while the building is abandoned, but this just takes the cake.

The power radiating off of the door is so strong that I can see it vibrating. Every muscle in my body is telling me not to be around it much less touch the handle. But I square my shoulders and look to my friend.

Yeah, I can call her my friend.

"So, what do I do?" My question aloud sounds stupid but I need to know how I'm supposed to proceed.

Beth smiles with all of her teeth and I know that I've done something right.

"I will open the door for you but after that you're on your own, be strong my friend." It's almost as if she read my mind.

I don't dwell on it as Beth starts chanting and the door opens to a black void.

"See you on the other side." I throw back to her striding forward like any good warrior. A calm settles over my entirety because this can only go one of two ways and I'm fine with that.

I don't hear her response or even the door closing because I'm already lost to the darkness.

AN: Short but next chapter is THE chapter! Excited? I promise that more is coming SUPER SOON, I just have to type on my phone because my computer is making me homicidal.