The pressure hit without warning.
Lena gasped as something invisible tightened around her chest, squeezing the air from her lungs. Her hands trembled as the silver light flickered uncontrollably.
"What are you doing?" she demanded, her voice strained.
The witch lifted her hand slightly, her expression calm.
"Calling what belongs to us."
Pain surged through Lena's body like fire. She dropped to one knee, clutching her chest as the energy inside her twisted violently.
"Lena!" Kael tried to reach her, but an unseen force slammed into him, throwing him back.
Fear spiked through her.
She couldn't breathe.
Couldn't think.
The power was slipping.
"Fight it!" Eira's voice cut through the chaos.
Lena clenched her fists, forcing herself to focus.
The wind—find the wind.
It answered weakly at first, then stronger as she pushed harder. The pressure resisted, trying to drag her under.
"No…" she whispered.
Her voice shook—but she held on.
"I'm not yours."
The silver light flared brighter.
Then—
It exploded outward.