Chapter 936

After a moment, Jude spoke again: "This is step three. A living bond. We will return nightly to sing, to name, to offer. We'll watch how they respond , if they speak, if they move closer, if they mark our offerings."

They stayed in the circle until sundown. The watchers remained, silent and still. Night fell around them. The wives returned slowly, careful not to disrupt the pillars. They carried water and offerings to refill clay bowls, replacing wilted herbs with fresh ones. Sapphire ribbons gleamed in candlelight.

Later, inside the house, they gathered for supper beneath lantern glow. The energy among them was electric , awe and purpose suffusing every touch. Scarlet leaned against Jude, her fingers brushing his palm. Emma watched his expression, searching, gentle. Sophie whispered something about mapping the watchers' coordinates in her book while Susan and Zoey nodded, words unspoken between them. Grace's eyes remained on Jude , steady and bright.