Chapter 1689.1

Jude stood and nodded, brushing the water from his thighs. "Let's go."

They moved together as they had before, dressed in what little the island offered - woven strands of vine, silk-soft leaves, the occasional wrap of fur or bark. The sun climbed higher, but the air stayed temperate, thick with floral scents and drifting light. The path they followed wasn't a path at all - more of a feeling, a subtle pull through the woods, as if the forest gently pushed aside branches before them.

Eventually, they arrived.

The glade was exactly as the vision had shown: the circle of black stones hummed with faint golden runes, and the hollow tree stood at its center, open like a mouth or a wound. Inside, faint light pulsed in rhythm with their steps.

Sophie shivered. "It looks like it's breathing."

"It is," Rose whispered. "It's waiting."

Jude stepped toward it, and the pulsing grew stronger.

Natalie touched his arm. "Are you sure?"