Jade: The Hybrid Mage
one of the village girls whispered, her tone conspiratorial.
“She’s cursed,” another replied, her words sharp and sure. “That’s why Elaine died. It’s her horrible omen.”
Elaine. The name stabbed through me like a knife.
“Oh, don’t look so heartbroken,” Lila said, turning her mocking pout in my direction. “Did she really think Elaine liked her? Poor Jade, so gullible.”
Her words hit harder than the rest.
“She was just pretending,” Cora added, loud enough to draw more attention. “She told my mother she thought it was funny to see how Jade followed her around like a lost dog.”