Chapter 1088

"Susan," he said quietly.

She turned her head, met his eyes.

Then she smiled wider.

That same, slow, eerie curve of the lips.

Like she had just heard the voice of something ancient and beautiful and had chosen to obey.

He backed away.

Sophie grabbed his hand. "It's spreading faster."

That night, he couldn't sleep. Again.

He sat by the fire long after the others had gone to their hammocks. Rose sat near him, silent. Not touching him, but close enough he could feel her warmth.

"You saw it," she said softly. "Didn't you?"

He didn't look at her. "I see a lot lately."

"You saw it choose Susan."

"I saw Susan change."

Rose leaned in, her voice low and thick with amusement. "It's not a change. It's an awakening."

"To what?"

She smiled again. "To who we really are."

"You're not yourself."

"I am more myself than ever before."

He stood up. "I'll fight it. Whatever it is."