Chapter 1164

When they finally reached their shelter, the relief was fleeting. The tension clung to them, heavy and unshakable. Jude sank down onto a worn bench, his head in his hands, trying to still the pounding of his heart.

Sophie knelt in front of him, lifting his chin so their eyes met. "We're still here," she said softly. "She hasn't taken us yet."

"But she's trying," Jude whispered. "Every hour, every breath. She's wearing us down."

Lucy threw a small branch onto the fire, watching the sparks rise into the darkening sky. "Then we don't give her what she wants. We stay together. We stay strong. We don't listen when she calls."

"But what if one of us can't resist?" Scarlet's voice was small, fragile. She hugged her knees to her chest, eyes wide and glistening with tears. "What if one of us lets her in?"

"We won't," Sophie said firmly. "We won't let that happen."