Chapter 1546

The city was listening.

Lucy cried out softly as she came, her body trembling around Jude's, her mouth on his neck. Jude followed moments later, groaning into her mouth as their climax spread through the others. It wasn't a chain. It was a symphony. Each one sang in their own way. Rose's moan was a hymn. Zoey's was a growl. Sophie bit Jude's shoulder while Emma sucked gently on his ear. Their bodies glowed brighter and brighter, until the entire yard was bathed in golden fire.

When they collapsed into the tangled warmth of each other, the vines that had once crept from cracks now wrapped the swing set like garlands. Flowers bloomed from broken asphalt. The sun burned warmer.

Stella touched Jude's face and whispered, "We're spreading."

He nodded. "They feel us now."

The others stirred around him - breathless, gleaming, alive.

And then, from beyond the fence, someone spoke.