Chapter 1269

She stood at the edge of the clearing, her body bathed in moonlight, still and silent. Jude saw her first. He rose from his bedroll and moved to the doorway, not saying a word.

Lucy followed.

So did Sophie. Then Emma.

She didn't speak.

She just held out her hand.

Fingers open.

Waiting.

"No," Jude said.

Her hand remained outstretched.

Then she lowered it. And turned.

But she didn't vanish this time.

She walked.

Slowly.

Toward the river.

Jude followed without thinking.

"Jude!" Lucy called, running after him. Sophie cursed and sprinted after both of them. The others moved too, all of them drawn.

They reached the river in time to see her walk straight into the water.

She didn't look back.

Didn't speak.

Just walked, step by step, until the water swallowed her whole.

The surface rippled.

And then went still.

"What the hell was that?" Zoey whispered.