Chapter 1167

Night fell swiftly, the sky deepening to indigo, stars emerging one by one. They gathered close around their fire, the warmth and light a fragile shield against the chill of the unknown. Jude sat with Sophie, his arm around her shoulders, her head resting against him. Lucy kept watch at the edge of the firelight, her blade never far from her hand. The others spoke little, the weight of the day too heavy for words.

And as the flames crackled low, as sleep tugged at their weary bodies, the wind carried a sound through the night, a soft voice, sweet and terrible, whispering from the shadows beyond the fire's reach.

, Soon.,

Jude's eyes snapped open, his heart racing, his breath caught in his throat. He stared into the darkness, but saw only trees, only night. But he knew she was there. Closer than ever.

And he knew the battle had only just begun.