CHAPTER 19

Elijah’s POV

As I entered the dimly lit bar, the slap mark burning on my cheek, I spotted my friend Trevis at the far end of the counter, starting the drinking without me. When he caught sight of me, he waved with a grin, looking cheerful and apparently not noticing the mark on my face.

“Hey,” I greeted, sliding into the seat next to him.

Trevis glanced up, and that’s when I saw the shock registering on his face. “What happened to you?”

I shrugged, trying to play it off. “Just a little misunderstanding.”

“Who did it?” Trevis asked, concern lacing his voice as he leaned in closer.

I hesitated, remaining quiet. The bartender approached me, asking for my order. “I’ll have a whiskey neat.”

“Coming right up,” the bartender replied, quickly preparing my drink.

Trevis continued to look at me curiously. He could tell at once that something was up, and he seemed to stifle his amusement at the way I was reacting.

I sighed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and frustration. “Long story