It began as flashing lights, like a thunderstorm on a distant horizon. The electrical arcs within the Ring started sporadically but increased in frequency and brightness until the whole body of the Ring was pulsing. The bursts made no sound.

The singing of the pilgrims faltered. Genet raised his arms to heaven and sang the prayer more loudly, bolstering the flock. “God comes!” he bellowed. “God comes!”

Jazarah huddled behind a pile of stones outside the mass of Genet’s faithful. Where they felt ecstasy, she felt fear: for herself, and for her brother.

The Ring went suddenly dark.

“God comes!”

Chapter 26

Chapter 28