Chapter 1104
It came from all directions, twisting, melodic, cruel. The trees pulsed with it. The ground trembled beneath it. It laced through their minds, their nerves, their hearts. Jude fell to his knees, gasping. Sophie cried out beside him, clutching her head. Emma dropped her spear, grabbing the trunk of a tree for support.
And the nine women smiled.
Their eyes lit with a terrible beauty.
Rose dropped to her knees before Jude, touching his cheek. "You’ll see. You’ll see how beautiful it can be when you stop fighting."
Her lips brushed his, and it wasn’t a kiss of love, but of claim. Jude’s body seized with heat. Every nerve burned. His breath caught in his throat, and he could feel himself slipping, like her mouth was opening a door inside him that he hadn’t realized existed.
Sophie screamed. "Let him go!"
She tackled Rose, dragging her back, but the others moved like lightning. Layla and Zoey were on her in an instant, pulling her away, restraining her gently but firmly. Lucy and Stella held Emma as she fought against their arms, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Rose stood slowly, eyes glowing brighter than ever, and looked down at Jude.
"Next time," she whispered.
Then she turned, and the others followed her into the trees, leaving the clearing in silence once more.
Sophie crawled to Jude’s side, pulling him into her lap, holding his face.