Again.
Breath in for four.
Hold for four.
Breath out for six.
Hold for four.
I counted silently, eyes on a fixed point over Hiro’s shoulder—the edge of a cabinet hinge catching the light—anchoring there while the panic tried to drag me under.
Warmth returned to my fingers first. It was a slow prickle beneath the skin. The ringing in my ears softened. My knees stopped threatening to fold.
Another cycle.
In.
Hold.
Out.
Hold.
My breaths steadied.
The vise around my ribs loosened.
I let out a long breath. “Okay. Okay. I’m fine.”
Hiro looked down at the knife. “What happened?”
“You were sleeping.” I put my view on him. “And. . .I just walked by you.”
"I could have killed you." The words came out strangled. "I could have—"
"But you didn’t." I blinked. “So. . .that’s good. . .”
He flipped the knife closed and pocketed it. “All you did was walk by me?”
“Yeah. I was barely two feet away from you.”
“Ah. That’stooclose.”
I blinked.
Terror hit his eyes. “Never get that close to me when I’m sleeping.”
“Next time, I’ll wake you up before I fully enter the room.”
“That’s a good idea.”
I stepped back.
Holy shit.
The guards still kept their weapons on him this whole time. I could tell that this entire moment had stressed them the hell out. Either they would have lost me from Hiro slicing my neck or they would have had to shoot the Dragon’s brother.
Not good options at all.
