Chapter 1372

Rose led them deeper into the woods, beyond the veil of vines and toward a slope they'd never climbed. The trees here grew closer together, older, gnarled and wrapped in silver moss. The light dimmed, taking on a violet hue, as if the sun had turned its gaze away. The forest grew quieter too, but not with silence - there was presence in the air. Watching. Listening.

Eventually, they reached a clearing ringed with ancient stones, each one carved with spirals and strange symbols none of them recognized but all understood somehow. In the center stood a flat stone table, wide and dark, like a ceremonial altar left by something too old to name.

Rose walked to it and pressed her hand flat against the stone. It responded, glowing faintly beneath her fingers. "This is where the island speaks."

Sophie stepped beside her. "Speaks how?"

Rose turned her head slowly. "With touch. With hunger. With need."

A shiver went through Jude.