Chapter 1716

The stars above shifted. Not in position, but in shape. They twisted slowly into a spiral, golden lines connecting them in ways that formed a vast glyph in the sky. Jude stood instinctively. "It's a signal."

Emma starred up. "A map."

Rose walked toward the center of the rise, her hair like fire in the starlight. "It's a message."

Jude followed her, the others rising in silence. Together they stood in a circle again, just like in the ring. He felt it before it happened - the heat low in his belly, the tremble in the earth, the way the island's breath quickened like arousal.

From the shadows of the trees came light.

A dozen glowing figures emerged.

But they weren't people.

They weren't spirits either.

They were echoes.

Reflections.

Of themselves.