Julian's POV
The moment Sebastian barked that sharp demand, Eve reacted almost on instinct.
She shoved me away and swung her hand up, smacking me hard across the jaw and neck.
I’m guessing she meant to hit my face, but I’d just stood up, so the blow landed lower than she intended.
Smack.
The sound was crisp and solid.
For a second, the air went completely still.
I lowered my head and brushed my fingertips slowly over the spot she’d hit. Honestly, it didn’t hurt much. If anything, what I felt was more like… novelty.
It was the first time anyone had ever slapped me.
Or rather—she was the first person who’d ever dared to.
If it had been anyone else, they probably would’ve already disappeared from the surface of the planet by now. But Eve—
How could I possibly be angry at her?
If s
