The wives stepped back instinctively. Jude held up a hand.
The watcher's form flickered, as if struggling to stay present. It opened its arms wide, then twisted, snapping into a spider-like shape for a heartbeat before resuming humanoid form. A ripple passed through the orchard, like a pulse of wrongness.
And then it was gone.
The awakening glyph remained blackened.
Scarlet spoke first. "It's not just us being tested."
Jude nodded slowly. "The watchers are being corrupted. Or replaced."
"Then we need to hurry," Susan said. "Before the island forgets who we are."
The plan came together fast. At dawn, they would approach the mountain, not to climb it, but to get close enough to plant their own offering circle near the base. A new ring. One untouched by what was infecting the orchard.
Twelve pillars. One from each wife.
Jude kissed each of them that night. Slow, deep, loving. Not out of fear, but reverence.