Chapter 1180

Zoey crouched at the water's edge, trailing her fingers through the cold stream. "It's beautiful," she murmured. "Whatever else this island is... it's beautiful."

Scarlet knelt beside her, dipping her hands in to drink. "Maybe this is where it ends," she said softly. "Maybe we can cleanse whatever's left inside Rose. Maybe this is where we break its hold for good."

Lucy sheathed her blade, her gaze fixed on the stone. "Or maybe this is where it starts. We need to be sure before we act."

Jude nodded, stepping closer to the spring. The water's voice filled his ears, but beneath it he thought he heard something else-a low, distant sound, like a song half-remembered, carried on the wind. He turned to Sophie, to Rose, to all of them. "We do this together. No one steps into that water alone. No one touches the stone until we're ready."

Rose's fingers tightened on his. "Whatever happens... I trust you."