Chapter 1147

Rose stepped closer, her bare feet brushing the edge of the circle. The light recoiled slightly, reacting to her presence. Behind her, Zoey and Layla froze like puppets caught mid-movement. Scarlet's mouth opened, then closed again.

"You don't understand what she offers," Rose whispered.

"We don't want it," Jude said.

"She brings peace."

"By taking our minds?"

Rose tilted her head. "By freeing them."

Then the forest groaned.

It wasn't the trees. It wasn't the wind. It was the island itself. The sound rose from beneath the ground, a deep, vibrating moan like roots straining to stretch farther than they should. The watcher stone answered with a soft hum. The two powers met, pressed against each other.

Stella gripped Lucy's hand. "She's testing us."

"She's afraid," Lucy whispered.

Jude turned to Natalie. "Come inside. You can fight this."