Chapter 1372
Rose led them deeper into the woods, beyond the veil of vines and toward a slope they’d never climbed. The trees here grew closer together, older, gnarled and wrapped in silver moss. The light dimmed, taking on a violet hue, as if the sun had turned its gaze away. The forest grew quieter too, but not with silence - there was presence in the air. Watching. Listening.
Eventually, they reached a clearing ringed with ancient stones, each one carved with spirals and strange symbols none of them recognized but all understood somehow. In the center stood a flat stone table, wide and dark, like a ceremonial altar left by something too old to name.
Rose walked to it and pressed her hand flat against the stone. It responded, glowing faintly beneath her fingers. "This is where the island speaks."
Sophie stepped beside her. "Speaks how?"
Rose turned her head slowly. "With touch. With hunger. With need."
A shiver went through Jude.
The others circled the stone. Grace trailed her fingers along the edge, her lips parted, her eyes shining with an emotion that was not fear but reverence. Natalie leaned close, sniffed the air, and let out a soft moan. "It smells like... desire."
Jude stepped closer, his chest tight. "What do we do?"
Rose looked at him. "Lie down."
He hesitated. Then Lucy was at his side, her hand warm in his, her gaze steady. "It’s okay. We’ll all be here."
He climbed onto the stone and lay back, the surface cool beneath him, but not cold. It felt like skin warmed by moonlight, and it hummed faintly as he relaxed into it. Twelve women surrounded him in a circle. Their hands moved in unison, shedding their wraps, their bodies bared once more, the spiral tattoo glowing faintly on their inner wrists.