As Sera turned to leave, Mrs. Frosthollow’s voice rang out, sharp and deliberate. “It’s a shame, really. While I had my doubts about you and your magic, at least you weren’t... forgettable like that girl Julian has taken an interest in.”
The room seemed to quiet around them as Sera turned slowly, her chaos magic buzzing furiously under her skin. Julian’s pale blue eyes widened in alarm, darting nervously between his mother and Sera. Mrs. Frosthollow, however, remained poised, her expression unreadable save for the faint glint of satisfaction in her gaze.
“What did you just say?” Sera asked, her voice low and trembling with barely restrained fury.
“Oh, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Mrs. Frosthollow said, feigning innocence as she placed a delicate hand on her son’s arm. “I’m simply saying
