Josie
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. My cheek still burned from where Iggy's hand had nearly connected, and yet Varen just stood there, cold and unbothered. The silence stretched thin, and I finally snapped.
"So you would've just stood there and watched her hit me?" I demanded, my voice sharp and shaking. "You weren't even going to do anything?"
Varen turned to me, his expression unreadable. "I wasn't going to let this turn into another circus, Josie."
"A circus?" I scoffed. "She tried to strike me!"
Before I could say more, he pushed Kiel's hand off his shoulder. "Enough," he said flatly. "I don't want any drama."
Kiel's temper flared instantly. "Drama? Are you out of your damn mind?" He stepped forward, the anger rolling off him in waves. "She's bleeding, Varen, and you're telling me not to make a scene?"
Varen's lips curled into a tired smirk. "You think yelling makes you righteous? You're only proving my point."
