The child's words were the final, crushing blow. Evelise's chest convulsed with a silent sob, the realization that her gift— her miracle…was seen as a weapon sinking into her heart. Her lifelong conviction, the one that drove her to face the City's elite, was being ripped apart by the very people she sought to save and heal. The firsthand blast of pure, unadulterated racism was overwhelming.
Oshan reached her first, planting herself firmly between Evelise and the shrieking mother.
"Lady Evelise!"
Oshan cried out, her body acting faster than her thoughts. Evelise pressed both hands against her ears, shaking, her voice barely a broken whisper under the noise.
"I was only helping… the little girl scraped her knee… I only healed it… I didn't curse her… I didn't…"
Sid reacted on instinct, trying to salvage the collapsing situation. He reached out, hoping to steady Evelise, hoping to guide her away before things turned violent.
