Chapter 1552

Jude looked at Rose.

She reached for him, touching his cheek. "Do you know now?"

He nodded.

"It's time to open more doors," she said.

He turned to his twelve. Their skin shimmered with crimson and gold, streaked in patterns that pulsed like tattoos drawn by breath and heartbeats. They stood with him in the pool, water lapping at their hips, breasts rising above the surface like offerings. They were wild. They were divine.

And they were his.

Not owned.

Not controlled.

Chosen.

Lucy stepped to him, her hands on his chest. "Let's show them."

"Show who?" he whispered.

"The world," she said, eyes fierce.

And then they rose from the pool.

Together.

The chamber cracked open like a blossom in heat. Petals of root and light peeled back to reveal another space - this one a reflection of Earth. Streets. Cities. Rooms. Beds. Bodies.

But they were watching now.

Thousands of them.

Millions.