Chapter 1067

Jude stood alone by the river, the morning sun catching on the ripples as small fish darted beneath the surface. The same water that had almost taken Rose. His fingers were wet, stained with cold, but his mind was far from fishing. The image of Rose, soaked and unconscious by the rocks, replayed again and again. She had been pale, lips slightly blue, and yet… something about her expression even then hadn't felt entirely human. It was the way her mouth curled, almost smiling, just before her eyes opened.

He hadn't mentioned it to the others, not when they'd carried her back, not when she lay silent in bed, nor when she awoke the next day with more energy than anyone should have after nearly drowning. At first, he chalked it up to relief, gratitude for survival. But then Layla started acting differently too. Too differently.