Jude moved last, but not from hesitation. He watched each of them go - Lucy, her fingers brushing the curve of her own stomach where a golden spiral now glowed; Sophie, strong and silent, jaw tight but eyes soft; Stella, half-drunk on Grace's mouth even as she stepped away; Layla, who looked at him with a lover's gaze as she passed; Zoey, who nodded once, solemn but ready.
He entered the passage and the light of the crystal behind them faded away. The air changed immediately. It grew warmer, sweeter, laced with the scent of wild orchids and musk and something almost like skin. It didn't smell like danger. It smelled like welcome.