Volatile Connections and Veiled Intentions

The moment my palm connected with Jaxon's chest, a blinding surge of power exploded between us. White-hot electricity coursed through my veins, and I couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't move. The lab's fluorescent lights flickered wildly above us as raw energy crackled through the air.

When my vision cleared, Jaxon's body had gone completely rigid, his eyes wide and unseeing. The monitor tracking his heart rate emitted a single, continuous tone.

"His heart stopped!" Clara shouted, rushing toward us.

I tried to pull my hand away, but it felt welded to Jaxon's chest. "I can't let go!"

Julian scrambled for equipment. "Get the defibrillator! Now!"

"Wait!" Rhys leaped from his chair. "Hazel, don't move your hand. The Spark did this—maybe it can undo it."

"What are you talking about?" I cried, panic rising as Jaxon remained motionless beneath my touch. "He's dying!"

"Trust me," Rhys insisted, his voice steadier than I'd ever heard it. "Press harder. Focus on your connection."