Chapter 961
Dawn broke with soft fingers against the orchard. Jude stirred, half-awake, mindful of the night’s lingering heat on his skin where Grace had curled against him. The fire had gone cold, the embers vanished. He rose quietly, stepping over blankets and limbs until he found Grace’s hand in the dawn’s glow. She woke at his touch, eyes hazy and curious.
"We move today," he whispered.
She nodded, smooth as breath. "I’m ready."
They slipped outside, leaving the others sleeping in tangled warmth. The grass was wet, silver light pooling between blades. Jude led Grace by the hand to the eastern edge of the orchard where the watchers still shimmered, thin, pale figures lingering like memory’s echo. They watched. Their forms held no menace now, but something patient, expectant. Jude met one watcher’s gaze. It tilted away, but didn’t vanish, an invitation, perhaps, or a question: "Will you leave together?"
Jude felt Grace’s breath against his arm. He whispered something he’d never say in full to another soul in this world: "Not without you." The watcher’s mist gathered, then withdrew slightly, giving them space.
They returned inside. The wives stirred as he passed, some rising, others leaning into each other. A dozen faces looked to him, trust and anticipation in every eye. Jude gathered them by the communal table, silent now but full of purpose. They had agreed last night: today, they ventured out together. The watchers retreating signaled readiness.
Jude laid a map on the table, careful folds pressedflat. "We go three ways," he said. "Grace and I will lead east, to the sentinel grove." He pointed past the orchard’s edge, where silver saplings still bowed by glyph-light grew in spiraled circles. "Second group, Scarlet, Serena, Susan, follows the river north to the mountain’s foothills, to mark breakpoints. Third group, Zoey, Layla, Emma, skirts the western perimeter, tracing old demon paths and finding new markers. We reconvene at dusk. Everyone return together. We cross tomorrow."
Scarlet stepped forward. "And the watchers?"
Jude nodded. "They know. They’re letting this happen."