I suddenly felt a crushing, excruciating pain seize my heart—as if invisible hands had slipped through my ribs, wrapped around it, and were now squeezing with merciless, deliberate force.
My breath caught mid-inhale.
The world tilted.
A violent tremor ran through my body, starting from my chest and rippling outward until even my fingertips quivered uncontrollably.
For a moment, I couldn't even think.
Only feel.
Only endure.
This pain… it wasn't new.
That was the most terrifying part.
I had felt it before—twice.
Both times, I had pushed my ability past its limits. Both times, it had been to save them.
To save Henry.
To save Matthew.
Back then, the agony had come with purpose. It had been the price of something I chose.
But now?
Why now…?
I hadn't used my power.
Not even a trace of it.
So what the hell was happening to me?
