The front wall split open.
A doorway appeared.
Beyond it was the circular chamber beneath the northern mountain, with thirteen pillars arranged around the cradle.
But the cradle was empty.
At the centre of the room stood a boy.
He looked exactly like Sol.
Except his hair was white.
His eyes were closed, and a silver crescent was embedded in the centre of his forehead.
He opened his eyes.
"Father," he said.
The child beside Natalie took a frightened step backwards.
The younger Jude whispered something Jude couldn't hear.
And the bird screamed.
"THAT'S THE ONE YOU LEFT!"
The white-haired boy smiled.
Then he lifted his hand.
Every door in the village slammed shut.
Every window went dark.
And all twelve wives disappeared.
"NO!"
Jude ran towards the place where Susan had been standing.
There was nothing.
He turned towards Serena.
Nothing.
Layla, Sophie, Scarlet, Natalie, all of them.
Gone.
The firepit had vanished too.
