Rules of Redemption (The Firebird Chronicles, #1)

by T.A. White

"What happened then?" "I lost." Ziva's eyes flashed up to meet Kira's. Kira nodded, considering and discarding several responses. "Well, that was dumb." Mutiny flashed across Ziva's face, her tiny body bunching as if she would leap for Kira's face. "It was not," she shouted. "I defended my family's honor." "Did you?" Kira asked. "Seems to me like you took exception with what someone said and then lost a challenge you issued. You look twice as stupid now." Kira straightened, dusting imaginary dirt off her pants. "I am not," Ziva shouted, her eyes pooling with tears and her lower lip beginning to tremble. "I was winning but then his friend threw a rock." "The weak tend to travel in packs," Kira agreed. "But you showed stupidity too. Picking the time and place for a fight is as important as training for it. You chose a time where he was at his strongest, surrounded by allies. Now he knows your weaknesses and he will come for you again." Bullies always did. They couldn't help themselves. They now knew what set Ziva off and they'd use the leverage whenever they wanted a boost for their confidence.