“Glacia Haverns, you will be recognized in the Hologis Hall of Fame for being the first Undilaen to ever win a tournament as the last man standing.” Another short round of applause, and he lets her step back into line so he can address the entire room. “Miss Haverns received the highest score in tonight’s tournament, a grand total of twenty-three knock outs. Being the sole winner, she will receive the entire grand prize of one thousand shims. Congratulations!”

Glacia’s team surrounds her, clapping her on the back and playfully shoving her around. Then Commander Mannard approaches her and they shake hands.

The red players return to their seating areas, where cameras take pictures of the teams. Glacia gets an individual portrait that will be forever displayed in the Hall of Fame. Tonight, her face will shine above the arena’s entrance for people to gawk at.

I walk behind Lucas and Ellin as the teams file out of the chamber. A bruise is forming on my ribs where Glacia slammed me. I swear she tried to kill me. It’s been two months since the car accident cracked my left ribs, and tonight she nearly broke my other side.

Yeah, real friendly.

At the front of the procession, Glacia is hailed as a hero. The red players chat excitedly amongst themselves, and three recruits even lift her into the air, chanting. Glacia pumps her fists, soaking up the attention.

Show off.

Chapter Ten

A muffled bang wakes me, shaking the wall. It came from John’s room. I listen for a second one but none comes. It’s 8:09 in the morning. What could he possibly be doing this early?

I start to turn over—but stop. Pain radiates across my side. I pull up my shirt and see a purple bruise half the size of my fist. It throbs when I poke it.

Glacia didn’t come back to the dorm with us last night. Her team took her out to celebrate. Ellin and John walked me back to the Crown, and John gave me his sympathies for my loss until Ellin told him to leave me alone. Even then, he wouldn’t stop staring at me. It’s like he knew something was wrong but couldn’t do anything.