"She's coming," Rose whispered.
Lightning struck the bone structure.
It didn't burn. It glowed.
The runes carved into its base pulsed with golden light, then deepened into a blood-red hue that spread across the circle like veins. Layla, Zoey, Natalie, Grace, Scarlet, and Susan fell to their knees as one. They pressed their hands to the earth and began to sing, low, vibrating sounds that made Jude's teeth ache.
Sophie screamed his name. He turned to see her holding onto Stella, who was fighting to stay on her feet.
"I'm okay!" Stella yelled. "Keep going!"
Jude ran to them, grabbed Sophie's free hand, and didn't look back.
They fled the clearing as the sky cracked open, releasing a roar of wind and light so unnatural it sounded alive. The storm wasn't just overhead, it was inside the island now. The trees leaned away from it. The ground shook under their feet. The air shimmered with energy that made Jude's skin crawl.