Stuck in an Island with Twelve Beautiful Women

She began to chant, this time not watcherscript, but something softer. Words Jude didn’t know, but felt - like they were woven from the same threads that bound his soul to each of them. Their love. Their touch. Their heat and laughter and sorrow.

The shimmer drew close to her.

And as it did, each of the other wives - the converted ones - Emma, Layla, Grace, Stella, Natalie - they stepped into the circle beside Rose.

Chanting with her.

Their voices harmonized, layered like wind on waves, rising until the air around them shimmered, glowed.

Then Susan stepped forward too.

Sophie’s hand shot out, but Susan only shook her head. "We can’t beat it with fear. Only with love."

And one by one - Zoey, Lucy, even Sophie - they joined. The light grew brighter, wrapping around the presence, not trapping it, not binding it - just inviting.

Jude stood at the edge.

Alone.

Watching all of them, their voices rising into the stormy morning.