Chapter 1177
The thing from the earth surged higher, towering over Rose now, its tendrils reaching for the stones, for the circle, for them. And Rose... Rose stood motionless, her eyes wide with terror and sorrow, caught between two worlds.
Jude’s heart clenched. He couldn’t lose her. Not to this.
He turned to his wives, his voice steady despite the storm inside him. "We break the circle. We end whatever this is before it can take her completely."
Zoey’s eyes widened. "Break the stones? What if that unleashes it?"
"Or traps it," Scarlet said, voice tight. "Or traps *her*."
Jude shook his head. "We have no choice. We have to try."
Together they moved, spreading out, surrounding the stone ring. The creature’s tendrils lashed toward them as if sensing their intent, but Lucy’s blade flashed, severing one that came too close. The thing let out a sound-if it could be called that-a deep, rumbling note of rage or pain or warning that vibrated through the ground.
Jude raised his foot and kicked at the nearest stone with all his strength. The ancient rock cracked down the middle with a sound like thunder. As it broke, the light in the clearing flickered, and the creature recoiled, its form destabilizing, the tendrils writhing wildly.
The others followed his lead. Sophie slammed a fallen branch against one of the stones, splintering it. Lucy shattered another with a powerful swing of her sword. Zoey and Scarlet worked together, toppling one that had leaned precariously for centuries. Susan, Grace, Stella, Natalie, and Emma added their strength, their cries of effort rising above the creature’s roar.