Chapter 1071

As she spoke, the hum deepened, and a shadow flickered in the trees beyond the clearing. Jude turned sharply, hand on his knife. But nothing moved again.

Then, they heard laughter.

Low, feminine, drifting through the trees like mist. It was Susan's voice. Then Zoey's. Then Rose's.

They were close.

Jude grabbed Sophie's hand and pulled her behind a thick root system at the edge of the clearing. From there, hidden in the underbrush, they watched.

The four of them walked into the clearing hand in hand, heads tilted upward, eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. Rose was humming again. Layla followed, swaying gently. Zoey and Susan moved in perfect sync, steps matching, hands interlaced.

They circled the spiral slowly, then stopped at the obsidian stone. Rose knelt first, pressing her palm against it, whispering a language Jude didn't understand. The others followed, touching the stone, whispering back.

The spiral pulsed.