Hazel’s POV
We all froze.
Liora stood in front of me—eyes narrowed, mouth twisted, staring straight at me like she’d finally found the thing she’d been hunting for days.
For one heartbeat, nobody moved.
Then I looked down at my hands.
The scales were gone.
Completely.
Like they’d never existed.
My skin was smooth again—normal, pale. No shimmer. No color. Nothing.
I didn’t think twice.
My hand cracked across Liora’s face so fast she didn’t see it coming.
The slap rang out—sharp, satisfying.
“How many times have I told you to stay the hell out of my face?!” I hissed.
Liora staggered back two steps—hand flying to her cheek, eyes wide with shock. A red imprint bloomed instantly across her pale skin, and for a split second something like fear flickered in her gaze before hatred swa
