Chapter 1108

He rose slowly, reaching for the makeshift blade by his side. Emma stood too, clutching her blanket around her shoulders.

They stepped onto the platform quietly. In the clearing below, Grace stood alone.

"Grace?" Jude called softly.

She looked up, smiled, but not the smile they feared. She looked… dazed.

"I didn't mean to come," she whispered. "I just… woke up here."

Emma started down the steps. "Come inside."

Grace's eyes were wet. "I was dreaming of fire. Of voices. They were everywhere."

Sophie reached her first, wrapping a shawl around her shoulders. Jude followed, placing a hand gently on her back.

"They're angry I left," Grace said. "I can feel them pulling. I don't know how long I can stay."

They brought her inside, wrapped her in warmth, fed her. She cried for hours. It was the first time Jude had seen emotion from any of the corrupted since the ritual began.

And it gave them hope.