Deals and Devotion

Nolan got up from the floor. His eye was swelling, his face was bruised, and his wrist was twisted at an awkward angle, completely unusable.

"You could have at least aimed somewhere less obvious. Going for the face? Really?"

Celine let out a sigh of relief, but looking at Nolan, he did appear genuinely pitiful. It looked painful just to see him.

"Surprise is the most effective element, isn't it?"