“Congratulations,” she said. “Eat glass,” I mumbled, wheezing as soon as my broken rib sent sparks of pain into my chest. The bone was mending itself, but it wasn’t healed yet. She smiled, and I could only tell because I saw the white of her teeth. “Such vigor. You could have taken more, it would seem.” I glared at her with hate-filled eyes, though no words came out. “Relax, Nikki Ward. You’re our reigning champion. For now.”
