Page 88 of Oath
We hadn’t even made it to the house yet. The SUV slowed to a jerking halt and the next thing I knew, Bones had the back door open. Cold air rushed in, but I couldn’t care.
He was crouched beside me a second later. Goblin shifted out of the way but didn’t move far, staying pressed to my side, tail thumping once against the seat before going still.
“Dollface, look at me,” Bones said, voice low and firm. “You’re okay. You’re not dying. You’re having a panic attack.”
“I—I c-can’t—” I couldn’t stop trembling. Couldn’t get a breath in deep enough. Couldn’tthink.
“AB, grab the med bag. There’s an inhaler in there and the grounding kit.Now.” Bones’ hands cupped my face, and I tried to meet his eyes, but everything was sobrightandloudandwrong.
“I can’t do this,” I whispered. “I can’t—I can’t?—”
“You’re not going anywhere right now,” Bones interrupted. “You’re safe. You’re not alone. You hear me? We’re right here. You’re not alone.”
“Here.” AB shoved something into Bones’ hand, and a moment later a small, cool plastic piece was pressed against my lips.
“Just breathe. You don’t have to think. Just do this with me, okay? In.” He pressed the inhaler and the medicine flooded my lungs with a bitter, metallic taste. “Hold. Good. Now out.”
I tried. God, I tried. Tears streamed down my face, and I wasn’t even aware of them until Goblin started licking them gently.
“We’re going to do the 5-4-3-2-1, Grace,” AB said from somewhere nearby. I couldn’t look at him. I couldn’t doanythingbut shiver and shake. “Bones has you. Goblin has you. You’re not in danger. You’re not in the dark. You’re not alone.”
Bones shifted beside me, one arm wrapped around my shoulders now, his chest pressed against my side. He was solid and warm andreal.
“Five things you can see,” AB prompted. “Just say them. Anything. You don’t have to think hard.”
My gaze darted around, desperate and blurred. “Uh… steering wheel. Dashboard. Bones’ jacket. G-Goblin’s face. My—my boots.”
“Good. Four things you can touch.”
“My jeans… Bones’ arm. Goblin’s fur. The leather seat.”
“Three things you can hear.”
“Your voice,” I choked out. “Goblin… whining. My—my breathing.”
“Two things you can smell.”
“Dog,” I said. A weak, rasping laugh escaped me. “And mint.”
“That’s the inhaler,” Bones murmured. “Last one, Dollface. One thing you can taste.”
I didn’t even hesitate. “Fear.”
They didn’t laugh. Thank God, they didn’t laugh.
“Okay,” AB said, voice gentle. “Now you’re back. That’s all we needed. You’re here. You made it.”
I was shaking like a leaf, but the world had slowly started to come back into focus. The roaring in my ears dulled. My chest didn’t feel like it was going to implode. And Goblin… God, that sweet baby didn’t leave my side for a second. He licked at my fingers, then curled tighter against me, as if he could shield me.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, forehead pressed to the top of his head.
“Don’t youdareapologize,” Bones growled, but it was pain not anger. “You think we don’t know what that feels like? You’re allowed to panic. You’re allowed to feel. Don’t ever be sorry for it.”
“We’ve all been there,” AB added. “Hell, Bones punched a hole through a wall once during one.”
“Youpunched a hole through a wall,” Bones muttered.
“Youmademe punch the wall,” AB shot back.
