ELLIE’S POV
“I said again.”
Jovani’s voice cracked through the air like a whip, sharp and impatient.
My breath burned in my chest. Sweat dripped down the side of my face, and every muscle in my body screamed for rest. But I didn’t stop, I just couldn’t.
Pain lanced through my shoulder as I shoved myself off the ground again, the taste of dirt still fresh in my mouth. I charged, fists clenched, bloodied fingers curling tight, heart pounding like war drums in my chest.
Jovani was faster. He always was.
His leg swept out, knocking me off balance, but this time I twisted mid-air, landed hard on my palms, and kicked back with everything I had. I didn’t think, I let instinct guide me. My elbow struck him beneath the chin and he flinched.
I saw the flicker of surprise in his eyes.
But he
