Chapter 1252

"You keep trying to hold us here. In fear. In doubt. You want us to question the island. But we're not meant to fear it, Jude. We're meant to worship it."

Zoey stepped forward. "This isn't you, Grace. We've all been through things. We've all felt pulled and twisted by this place. But this - this isn't who you are."

Grace smiled wider. "No. This is who I was always meant to be."

Sophie stood slowly, guiding Lucy to her feet. "What do you want from us?" she asked Rose directly.

Rose lifted her hand. "To join us. To stop running. The island isn't trying to hurt us. It's trying to complete us."

"And if we say no?" Jude asked.

Rose's expression didn't change. "Then it'll wait. Because it knows. You'll say yes eventually."

There was a long silence.

Then Sophie whispered, "Run."