"Brother!" Elene chirped again, tugging at my arm like nothing was wrong.
But something inside me snapped.
My hand shot up and closed around her throat before I even realized what I was doing.
Her eyes widened in shock.
She gagged, clawing at my fingers, desperately trying to pry me off. I didn't let go. My grip stayed locked, iron-strong, while I watched her face twist in panic, her lips opening and closing without sound.
Mum gasped sharply.
Dad froze for a second, horror flooding his features. Even Doctor Thompson staggered back, his professional calm cracking like glass.
"Eli!" Dad roared, his voice breaking with fear and rage. "What are you doing!?"
He lunged forward, but I shifted my weight, dragging Elene with me as leverage. My other hand shot up, two fingers extended, pressing close to her eye.
"Stay back!" I snarled. My voice was low, guttural, and raw, every word scraping through the pain still burning in my chest.
