Becky's POV
The evening was cooler than usual, as though the air itself could feel the weight of the choices Leo and I were about to make. Though the city streets were humming with bustle, as we returned to the safe home I sensed an unusual silence fall over us. The awareness of what lay ahead seemed to weigh each step we took.
I looked at Leo, engrossed in contemplation, his forehead wrinkled with the great intensity that matched mine. Though he hadn't spoken much since we left Jenna's call, I knew he was thinking the same thing I was—we had no other choice. Our last chance at reversing the trend was the auction, but the hazards were unlike anything we had ever known.
I gently broke the quiet, "Leo," asking, "Do you think we're ready for this?"
He stopped walking and turned to face m
