Chapter 1020

The watchers had not come close again during the night, but their presence was felt. Light drifted strangely over the orchard's eastern edge, and the clouds that passed over the peak glowed with a faint shimmer. Jude had kept one eye on the mountain as the children slept between Grace and Sophie. Now, the sun filtered through the canopy with more weight than light, golden but sluggish. It was Lucy who noticed first. She stopped walking and pointed slightly to the right of the path, where the trees leaned close together in an arch. Jude turned to follow her gaze and saw a faint blue shimmer weaving through the leaves. The watchers were there, still distant, but visibly curious.

"We're being followed," Serena whispered, eyes alert but calm.

Jude nodded. "They're learning our rhythm."