Miri's Pov
The moment the word "Miri" left Rayne's lips, the crowd froze.
Dozens of eyes turned on me. Some wide with disbelief, others narrowing with suspicion, and far too many already burning with quiet judgment. I could feel their thoughts clawing at me—No. She wouldn't. Would she?
Rayne sobbed harder, curling into herself like I was some beast looming over her.
"She did this," she whimpered, her voice cracking but sharp enough to slice through the silence like a blade. "Miri did this to me."
"What?" I stepped forward without thinking, my voice rising with disbelief. "That's not true—what are you saying?"
Rayne's face twisted, tears streaking through the blood on her cheeks as she looked up at me with those wide, trembling eyes. "You've always hated purebloods! You said it yourself! You called me weak. You laughed when they picked on me. And then you started—started ordering me around. You made me follow you. You said if I didn't, you'd ruin me."
