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The letters form.

S.O.W.N.

SOWN.

The bell rings.

Once.

The crowd screams not in fear–ecstasy.

The Harvest throws its head back and every mouth opens.

THREE.

Malakai’s mark ignites.

Rhett’s.

Ezra’s.

The three men drop to their knees.

“KAI!” I reach for Malakai but a root wraps around my wrist. “NO!” I scream as another catches my ankle.

Rhett grabs it and throws it backward.

Ezra reaches me. “SAGE!”

The ground opens beneath my feet and I fall.

I don’t hit dirt. Instead, I land on something soft… warm—breathing.

I scream as hands reach for me. Hundreds of them then suddenly the hands change into roots and they lift me, carrying me upward.

The Communion ground has changed. The table is gone and in its place stands an altar. Black Earth packed into a long raised bed with flowers growing around it. Red. White. Black. All blooming and dying over and over again.

The roots lay me on top.

“No.” I sit up but they push me down. “GET THE FUCK OFF ME!”

I fight while the Harvest looms overhead and the crowd surrounds us. The Brides form the inner circle with Malakai, Rhett, and Ezra standing beyond them. Not kneeling anymore. Masks cover their faces.

I didn’t see them put them on.

“KAI!” His head lifts. “Rhett!” He moves toward me but the Brides block him. “EZRA!” I scream until my throat is raw.

The Harvest raises both arms and the crowd begins chanting. Not English. Old—rhythmic. The same words over and over.

Malakai translates. His voice is barely audible. “No.”

Rhett turns. “What?”

Malakai shakes his head.

“What are they saying?”

His eyes find mine. “Prepare the Bride.”