I opened my mouth to argue, but Ethan cut in. “Your mom is right.”

I turned sharply toward him, eyes wide and surprised at his agreement. What happened to his initial support yesterday?

He exhaled through his nose, clenching his blood-stained fingers. His dark gaze was piercing, locking onto mine with something scrutinizing. “Whatever happened just now, whatever you pushed yourself into, it hurt you. You don’t just bleed from using an ability unless something is pushing back.”

He ...