Eve

I flinched hard, squeezing my eyes shut, waiting for the pain, the darkness, but it never came. Warm splatters hit my face, my chest, and hands. I opened my eyes in shock.

There was blood. It was bright red, spreading fast across my dress.

But that was when I realized… it wasn’t mine.

Harlan cried out, clutching his arm as blood bloomed through his sleeve. He dropped to his knees, alive but pale and gasping, shock etched across his face.

I screamed, the sound ripping from my throat as I sank to the floor, knees hitting marble hard enough to bruise. My body shook uncontrollably, hands pressed to my...